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Interactive Tool/Strategic Analysis

Run a SWOT that survives the boardroom
— then convert it into strategy.

Most SWOT tools let you write four bullet soups, file the page, and call it strategy. This one forces evidence on every item, caps each quadrant so it stays an analysis, and ends with a TOWS matrix that turns the list into plays.

Evidence-required items Capped at 5 per quadrant Auto TOWS matrix Board-ready summary
Strategic posture
Defensive 3 high-priority strengths · 1 high threat

Strengths are real but the environment is closing in. ST strategies protect what you've built. The question isn't whether to attack — it's where to fortify.

Items
14/ 20 max
3·4·4·3 across S·W·O·T
High priority
7items
50% of total · concentrated in S+T
Evidence coverage14 / 14 sourced
01
Frame the decision

Name the decision this SWOT will inform.

"Should we ship the API tier in Q3?" — not "Understand our company." Specific decisions produce specific items. Vague ones produce bullet soup.

Tip — start with "Should we" or "Whether to". If it doesn't end in a yes/no, narrow it.
The company, product, or initiative this SWOT is about.
02
Build the matrix

Three to five items per quadrant, each with evidence.

Internal vs. external is the discipline. Strengths and Weaknesses are about you. Opportunities and Threats are about the world. If an item could go in two quadrants, you've miscategorized it.

03
Convert to strategy

The TOWS matrix is what makes the SWOT useful.

Each cell pairs your highest-priority items across the internal/external boundary. SO = leverage. ST = protect. WO = repair. WT = survive. Edit the strategy text inline once the pairings look right.

04
Ship it

Take it to the room.

The verdict is at the top of the page. Copy the summary, drop it in the deck, hand it to the board.

Methodology →

How the SWOT + TOWS calculates

The discipline

Internal vs. external is the only categorization that matters. Strengths and Weaknesses are facts about you. Opportunities and Threats are facts about the world. If an item could plausibly go in two quadrants, it's miscategorized — split it.

Evidence requirement

Every item has an evidence field. Items without evidence get an amber NO EVIDENCE tag and reduce your evidence coverage score. If more than 50% of items are unsourced, the verdict downgrades to Underdeveloped regardless of posture.

Posture verdict

  1. Asset-Heavy — high-priority Strengths ≥ 2 AND high-priority Opportunities ≥ 2 AND high-priority Threats < 2.
  2. Defensive — high-priority Strengths ≥ 2 AND high-priority Threats ≥ 2.
  3. Repair — high-priority Opportunities ≥ 2 AND high-priority Weaknesses ≥ 2 AND Strengths < Weaknesses.
  4. Survival — high-priority Weaknesses ≥ 2 AND high-priority Threats ≥ 2.
  5. Underdeveloped — any quadrant has < 2 items, OR more than 50% of items missing evidence.
  6. Awaiting — decision statement empty OR fewer than 2 items total.

TOWS pairing logic

For each of the four cells (SO, ST, WO, WT), the Cartesian product of the two relevant quadrants is generated. Each pairing scores priority_left + priority_right (High = 3, Med = 2, Low = 1). Top 2 pairings per cell surface as plays. Ties break by quadrant order, then alphabetical.

Want the full methodology and worked examples? Read the SWOT Analysis Template — Tesla and Starbucks worked examples, the TOWS conversion step in detail, and a downloadable Excel companion.

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