You know what you need if you’re contemplating producing a new product line, jumping into a new industry, or even just working on a company analysis for a school assignment?
A SWOT analysis chart.
SWOT analysis is a great way to effectively evaluate a person, campaign, strategy or product — and if you want to create a SWOT table that impresses (your stakeholders or your college professor), you need a SWOT analysis template.
Read on to see different types of SWOT analysis templates you can create with Venngage, plus top tips and plenty of SWOT analysis examples.
Click to skip ahead:
- What is a SWOT analysis?
- SWOT analysis templates for strategic decision making
- How to do a SWOT analysis
- 9 SWOT analysis best practices & design tips (+examples)
What is a SWOT analysis?
SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It is a strategic planning tool used to identify and analyze these four key elements, helping businesses assess their internal and external environments to inform decision-making and strategy development.
SWOT analysis templates for strategic decision making
Ready to dive into your SWOT analysis? I’ve got 20+ SWOT analysis examples along with some templates lined up that you can use as a starting point:
- SWOT analysis templates for Word
- SWOT analysis templates for PowerPoint
- Personal SWOT analysis templates
- Company SWOT analysis templates
- Marketing SWOT analysis templates
- Nonprofit SWOT analysis templates
- Exec SWOT analysis templates
- Consultant SWOT analysis templates
SWOT analysis templates for Word
You can actually edit any of our SWOT analysis templates above and add them to your Word document as an image file. We offer PNG or PNG HD download options.
Here’s another example of a SWOT analysis template you can create for your Word or Google Docs file:
Note: download capability is only available in a paid Venngage plan.
SWOT analysis templates for PowerPoint
To create a SWOT analysis for PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation, you can edit one of Venngage’s professionally designed SWOT analysis templates and download them as a PNG. A Venngage Business user can also download the template as a PPTX file and upload it directly to your presentation as a slide.
Besides simple SWOT analysis templates, we also offer presentation templates containing SWOT charts:
Personal SWOT analysis templates
To use a Personal SWOT analysis template, first, identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Prioritize and make action plans for personal and professional growth based on the analysis.
Comparing strengths and weaknesses directly can help give you clarity over areas that you can improve, like in this personal SWOT analysis example.
Rather than thinking about competitors or change in the market, think more about things that may hold you back personally – i.e. a lack of business finances, or an upcoming relocation, as you can see in this SWOT analysis example.
Company SWOT analysis templates
When conducting a SWOT analysis for a company, including a programmatic ad agency, start by assessing internal capabilities like brand strength or workforce skills. This includes what the company excels at, such as a strong brand or skilled workforce. Be honest about areas where there’s room for improvement.
Next, consider external factors that can impact the company. This could involve exciting possibilities like new markets or technological advancements. Be mindful of potential challenges like increased competition or economic instability.
It aids in understanding the competitive landscape, customer preferences and market trends, allowing companies to make informed decisions about product development, marketing strategies and market expansion.
Simultaneously, honestly identify internal weaknesses such as inadequate resources, operational inefficiencies or gaps in skills.
To thoroughly assess the external environment, remain attentive to emerging market trends and potential growth areas as opportunities, while also considering potential threats such as evolving consumer preferences, regulatory changes or intensified market competition.
It is crucial to maintain objectivity, involve key stakeholders and consider the analysis in the context of both short-term and long-term business objectives. That way, you can ensure the strategic insights gleaned from the SWOT analysis are effectively translated into actionable plans and initiatives.
Marketing SWOT analysis templates
Analyzing your marketing plan with a SWOT template is a strategic approach. Simply list your marketing strengths (brand recognition, creative content) and weaknesses (limited budget, outdated website).
Then, consider external factors like new social media trends or increased competition. By understanding these elements, you can craft a plan to leverage strengths for new opportunities, address weaknesses to not miss out, and adapt to external challenges.
Most importantly, don’t forget to regularly revisit this analysis to stay on top of the ever-changing marketing landscape.
Equally, by looking at opportunities you can begin to understand potential new markets, as well as under-served areas that you already market within. Marketers, consultants and freelancers often include SWOT analyses in competitor analysis reports.
Looking for more marketing resources?
- How to conduct a SWOT analysis in marketing (+examples)
- The complete guide to marketing infographics
- How to use SEO in your visual marketing
- How to make a marketing plan
Nonprofit SWOT analysis templates
Nonprofit organizations can use SWOT analyses to help inform their strategic planning.
A SWOT is a great way to understand how your nonprofit fits into the market, and how you can maximize your impact by running effective targeted campaigns and fundraising initiatives. This SWOT analysis example showcases areas where a nonprofit can improve.
Especially in nonprofits, you often don’t have the luxury of testing out multiple ideas or strategies due to time and budget constraints. Conducting a SWOT analysis early on in your strategy execution development can help you make the most informed decisions. This SWOT analysis example highlights the threats that a nonprofit should be looking to overcome soon.
Looking for more nonprofit guides?
- The complete nonprofit marketing guide
- Nonprofit communication resources
- Nonprofit storytelling examples
Exec SWOT analysis templates
Execs have to wear many different hats within their roles and organizations. Business development is a crucial part of company success, and being fully aware of your organizational strengths and weaknesses is invaluable. For example, there are numerous opportunities in this SWOT analysis example.
When going through a period of rapid growth within your business, you should take some time to conduct a SWOT analysis. This will help to ensure that you are able to reach your growth goals. Doing a SWOT also helps you identify any possible weaknesses that may become issues for your growth further down the line.
The weaknesses in this free SWOT analysis template for Word should be addressed quickly before they become a threat to the company.
A SWOT diagram can also be used to help evaluate employees’ work. You can assess your employees’ performances and provide detailed feedback, like in this SWOT analysis example.
Interested in more resources?
- Business letterhead templates
- Mind map templates
- Business pitch deck templates
- How to write a project plan
Consultant SWOT analysis templates
Consultants are in a unique position because they are looking to market themselves. Starting out as a consultant can be difficult, but conducting a SWOT analysis of yourself as a consultant can help you discover any unique selling points for your services.
You might also want to conduct a SWOT analysis when delivering work for clients. A SWOT can help inform any project or growth plans that you are recommending. The SWOT analysis example below makes a strong case for the business.
Take a look at page 4 of this consulting proposal template for an example of how to use SWOT analyses in a consulting proposal:
Looking for more consulting templates?
How to do a SWOT analysis
A SWOT analysis helps you understand your business’s current position in the market and aids in developing strategies to leverage strengths, mitigate weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities and counter threats.
Follow these simple steps to create a comprehensive SWOT analysis:
- Identify strengths: Recognize internal positive attributes that are within your control, such as unique selling points, skilled workforce or strong brand recognition.
- Pinpoint weaknesses: Assess internal areas that need improvement, such as lack of resources, inefficient processes or poor brand reputation.
- Recognize opportunities: Analyze external factors that could benefit your business, such as emerging markets, technological advancements or changes in consumer behavior.
- Acknowledge threats: Consider external factors that could potentially harm your business, such as new competitors, changing regulations or economic downturns.
9 SWOT analysis best practices & design tips (+examples)
Whilst a SWOT diagram is a fairly straightforward evaluation model, there are a couple of SWOT best practice tips you should follow in order to maximize the effectiveness of your SWOT:
Use measurable and quantifiable statements in your SWOT
You should be able to evidence all of the points in your SWOT template, aka prove that you are good at the thing you said you are good at. Highlighting quick delivery is great, but specifying delivery times, like in the template below, is even better:
Make sure all areas of your business are represented when developing the SWOT
Get feedback from different departments on both what their strengths/weaknesses are, but ask what they think your strengths/weaknesses are. Regardless of your business niche, a SWOT analysis can make a difference in your project. You can develop a SWOT analysis for restaurants, startups, e-commerce, travel agencies, and many other types of businesses.
This SWOT analysis example has gathered feedback from multiple teams.
Try and keep the lists an even number
If you have 5 strengths, find 5 weaknesses. For every opportunity, try and write down a threat. This makes it easier to compare the categories in your SWOT template.
Have a goal in mind when doing your SWOT analysis
Whether this is developing a new project plan or business, or scaling your revenue – a SWOT diagram is particularly useful when there’s a definitive outcome you’re trying to achieve.
When doing your SWOT analysis, explicitly tie each strength, weakness, opportunity and threat back to how it impacts achieving your goal with this template:
Don’t aim for the perfect SWOT list straight away
When you’re customizing your SWOT analysis template, start with much longer lists gathered in a brainstorming session and whittle the lists down.
Talk about each factor in a category and figure out which ones matter the most to have your SWOT analysis focusing on the most important stuff. Methods like voting or group agreement typically work in this type of setting.
Using online templates or ready-made structures can help organize your thoughts and brainstorming sessions. Here’s one to help you capture your ideas easily.
Make sure your SWOT is thorough
Make sure you’ve thought about every possible strength, weakness, threat, and opportunity. A SWOT is only as valuable as the information you include, so make sure you do your due diligence during the analysis. Take inspiration from this SWOT analysis example.
Format your SWOT in a way that makes sense for multiple uses
If you plan to present your SWOT analysis to an executive at your company, make sure it is clear to understand, and presented in a way that makes it easy to take in all of the information at once – such as a 2×2 grid template. If it’s for a company presentation, use a horizontal SWOT analysis template for PowerPoint.
Think short, mid and long term impacts
Your product might be great now, but what could be happening in the next 6 months that might affect that? What about within the next year? Sure that competitor could be small fish now, but what about if they have an aggressive growth plan in place? You need to be prepared for that to stay ahead of the game, and that’s where a SWOT analysis template comes in.
For example, in this SWOT analysis, both short and long term opportunities were taken into consideration:
Use clever design tricks
Use color in your SWOT matrix to help grab attention. Differentiate different areas of your SWOT, as this SWOT analysis template does.
Are you ready to create your SWOT analysis?
A SWOT analysis is an invaluable tool for evaluation and is particularly useful for small businesses or businesses in times of change. Make sure you follow these SWOT analysis best practice tips to maximize your evaluation opportunities and further your evaluation by conducting a thorough Competitor Analysis.
All of the SWOT analysis examples featured in this blog post are fully customizable SWOT analysis templates available for use on Venngage. You can also use our Smart Templates to create documents easily.
Once you’ve created your business or personal SWOT analysis, make sure to keep a copy safe for the next time you conduct an evaluation. With Venngage you can keep your work online or download a SWOT analysis PDF if you’re a Business user.
