SWOT analysis
A SWOT analysis is a strategic-planning framework that maps Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats into a 2×2 matrix to support decision-making.
In depth
SWOT was developed at the Stanford Research Institute in the 1960s and remains the most-used strategic planning tool. Strengths and Weaknesses are internal; Opportunities and Threats are external. Filling out the matrix forces a structured assessment of where to invest, what to defend, and what to watch.
Modern variants extend the basic 2×2 with a TOWS matrix (matching internal factors to external ones for strategy), a SOAR (positive-only) variant, and PESTLE (political/economic/social/technological/legal/environmental) for the external scan.
OpenCharts builds a SWOT as a single composite node with four editable quadrants, so the grid stays aligned as you add items instead of becoming sixteen loose rectangles you spend the meeting realigning. Describe the subject and Theo populates all four quadrants, or start from a template and fill them in yourself.
Also known as
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