FM009 SWOT Analysis
For your Competency Discussion, select a healthcare organization with which you are familiar and can complete an abbreviated SWOT analysis. Consider the characteristics of the organization you selected and reflect on two strengths, two weaknesses, two opportunities, and two threats relevant to the organization. Next, think about these strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats looking for synergies, leading business and market indicators, relationships, and connections between these categories and how they relate to the organization’s mission and vision. Finally, think about two strategic recommendations you would make to the organization that align to information gained in the SWOT analysis.
To begin this Competency and meet your required engagement, post in the Discussion area a brief description of the organization you selected without revealing the name of the organization. Next, identify two strengths, two weaknesses, two opportunities, and two threats relevant to the organization. Also, explain the synergies, leading business and market indicators, relationships, and connections you identified after reviewing the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and how they relate to the organization’s mission and vision. Then, explain the strategic recommendations you would make to the organization and why you are making these recommendations. Finally, explain how the recommendations reflect the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in your SWOT analysis.
Instructions
Before submitting your Assessment, carefully review the rubric. This is the same rubric the assessor will use to evaluate your submission and it provides detailed criteria describing how to achieve or master the Competency. Many students find that understanding the requirements of the Assessment and the rubric criteria help them direct their focus and use their time most productively.
Rubric
Access the following to complete this Assessment:
Use the APA course paper template available here.
Download the Writing Checklist to review prior to submitting your Assessment.
This assessment has two-parts. Click each of the items below to complete this assessment.
Part I: SWOT Analysis of a Healthcare Organization
Select a health care organization (for-profit or nonprofit) for which you will complete a SWOT analysis. This organization may be your own institution or another.
Research multiple aspects of this organization, including its intended market, to gain valid and accurate information about its internal strengths and weaknesses (which are within the organization’s control), as well as external opportunities and threats. Depending on the organization you select, this information might be found in a variety of sources: business databases, journals, reports, the organization’s website, websites of professional organizations, and websites that rate health care facilities. You may also wish to reach out and interview several key people attached to that organization for additional insights. Research a variety of sources to best ensure a balanced, well-rounded, and comprehensive view of this organization.
As you conduct your research, identify:
Strengths
What does this organization do particularly well? Does it have a specific and recognized niche?
What resources does the organization have that might set it apart from its competition or position it for future growth?
What does the market perceive as strengths of the organization?
What financial considerations are relevant to its strength?
Weaknesses
What needs improvement in the organization?
What resource deficits might impact this organization?
What does the market perceive as weaknesses of the organization?
What financial considerations are relevant to weaknesses?
Opportunities
With strengths and weaknesses in mind, what opportunities are available to this organization?
Might any current trends translate to opportunities?
Threats
What competitive threats exist for the organization?
Do insufficient or outdated resources hamper the organization?
Might any current trends translate to threats?
Do any market, regulatory and or legal issues present threats?
Complete a 1-page SWOT analysis matrix (using the template provided) that includes the following:
- Bulleted list of (a) strengths, (b) weaknesses, (c) opportunities, and (d) threats related to the health care organization selected.
Note: Synthesize the information you have gathered in your research so that each bullet point clearly represents the most significant considerations within each category. While this is a 1-page document, and might appear to be deceptively simple, each point must be the result of deep and critical thinking.
Carefully review the SWOT analysis, looking for synergies, leading business and market indicators, relationships, and connections between categories.
- Write a 4- to 6-page proposal that includes the following:
A rationale for the choices you made in each of the four SWOT quadrants: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
Why do you consider each bulleted point to be significant?
Use a variety of academic and professional sources to support your findings.
Creative strategic recommendations for the organization that align to information gained in the SWOT analysis.
This interpretation of information requires a demonstration of critical-thinking and problem-solving skills—skills required in authentic strategic planning.
