CHAPTER 6: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

SWOT ANALYSIS

Students will collaborate in small teams to perform a SWOT analysis on a company of their
choice. The instructor will assign teams on the date specified in the Course Calendar section
of the syllabus.

Because this is a 100% online course, this project will model working in virtual teams. Many
businesses today work across geographic boundaries and even across time zones. This project
will not only give students an opportunity to conduct a SWOT analysis but also practice virtual
collaboration.

For this project, the team will identify the mission and vision of the company and conduct a
SWOT analysis. Students are to think and behave as a team of senior executives at the
company, working together to create strategic recommendations to be delivered to the CEO (or
most senior leader of the company).

DIRECTIONS

1. Review the rubric attached to the assignment to ensure you understand the elements upon
which this assignment will be graded. This is a group assignment yet grading has both
group and individual components, as shown in the rubric. All team members must
participate and contribute to the project to earn points.
2. Select a real, existing company. The company can be for profit, nonprofit, large or small.
3. Locate and review the companys mission and vision statements.
4. Conduct research, performing an internal analysis to assess the firms strengths and
weaknesses. Consider internal factors such as personnel, financial position, manufacturing
capabilities, reputation, marketing posting, etc.
5. Conduct research, performing an external analysis to assess opportunities and threats.
Consider external factors such as competitors, demographics, socio-cultural considerations,
economic factors, the political and legal environments, technology and the natural
environment.
6. Create a SWOT analysis, combining the mission, vision and findings from the internal
and external analyses.
7. Based on the mission, vision and SWOT analysis, recommend 3-5 strategic plans the
company should implement. These recommendations can focus on ways to improve its
services, products, market share, competitive advantage, etc. Offer recommendations that
address findings from both the internal and external analysis, enhancing strengths,
mitigating weaknesses, capitalizing on opportunities or minimizing threats. Explain the basis
for these recommendations.
8. Combine these 3 items (mission/vision, SWOT analysis and recommendations) into a
Powerpoint presentation to be delivered to the CEO (or most senior leader) of the company.
9. One member of the team will upload the final presentation to Blackboard for grading by the
due date shown in the syllabus and shown in Blackboard
10. Each team member must also individually complete the SWOT Analysis Team
Evaluation form found with the assignment description. Complete the form and
upload a copy to Blackboard for grading or email it to the instructors Cincinnati State
email address. This is REQUIRED per student.