应该是在大二课程的Organizational Analysis and Change 或者其他关于 Organizational Performance的课程里, 读到过SWOT, 印象中不是一个key concept, 但是在relational readings 里面不止一次出现.

为了避免以后再见它还有似曾相识的感觉, 决定巩固一下这个概念...我的记性好差...

SWOT Analysis

SWOT analysis is a strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business venture. It involves specifying the objective of the business venture or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieving that objective. The technique is credited to Albert Humphrey, who led a convention at Stanford University in the 1960s and 1970s using data from Fortune 500 companies.

A SWOT analysis must first start with defining a desired end state or objective. A SWOT analysis may be incorporated into the strategic planning model. Strategic Planning, including SWOT and SCAN analysis, has been the subject of much research.

• Strengths: attributes of the person or company that are helpful to achieving the objective(s).
• Weaknesses: attributes of the person or company that are harmful to achieving the objective(s).
• Opportunities: external conditions that are helpful to achieving the objective(s).
• Threats: external conditions which could do damage to the objective(s).

Identification of SWOTs are essential because subsequent steps in the process of planning for achievement of the selected objective may be derived from the SWOTs.

First, the decision makers have to determine whether the objective is attainable, given the SWOTs. If the objective is NOT attainable a different objective must be selected and the process repeated.

The SWOT analysis is often used in academedia to highlight and identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It is particularly helpful in identifying areas for development.

关于Albert S Humphrey

Albert S Humphrey was a business and management consultant who specialised in organizational management and cultural change. He also devised the SWOT analysis technique.

Albert Humphrey was born 2 June 1926 and was educated at the University of Illinois where he graduated with a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering. After this he gained a Master's degree in Chemical engineering at M.I.T. and an MBA at Harvard University.^[1]

His work at the Stanford Research Institute produced a team method for planning which created SOFT analysis and this was developed into SWOT analysis.