Businesses and organizations hire consulting firms to complete SWOT analyses to help management be better informed and make better decisions based on the information. A SWOT analysis of a clinic would identify the current strengths and weaknesses, in addition to the potential opportunities and threats facing clinic management. SWOT analyses can be commissioned for just about any organization, entrepreneurial venture or business problem.
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Strengths
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The SWOT analysis’ strengths will represent the clinic’s internal operating features that are performing as expected or excelling. The internal operating features are features that the clinic has control over or can change. For example, a clinic’s strengths could be an increase in the number of primary care physicians (PCP) on staff, partnerships with medical schools, being on track with a fundraising campaign, compliance with Health and Human Service regulations, short waiting room times and state-of-the-art laboratory and medical equipment.
Weaknesses
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The SWOT analysis’s weaknesses will represent the clinic’s internal operating features that are underperforming or in need of improvement. The internal operating features are features that the clinic has control over or can change. For example, a clinic’s weaknesses could be a decrease in organ donors and donations, higher than average patient infection rates, high nurse turnover rates, insensitive bedside manner, minimal inpatient services and out-of-date medical equipment.
Opportunities
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The SWOT analysis’s opportunities represent the clinic’s external operating attributes where positive financial or market growth could occur. The external operating attributes are features reflective of the current business environment that the clinic operates within. For example, a clinic’s opportunities could be cold and flu season occurs, co-pay costs decrease, government and nonprofit grants come through, a nearby hospital closes or the local population grows.
Threats
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The SWOT analysis’s threats represent the clinic’s external operating attributes where detrimental outcomes to the clinic could occur. The external operating attributes are features reflective of the current business environment that the clinic operates within. For example, a clinic’s threats could be rapidly changing medical technologies, decreasing reimbursed health insurance payments, new government-ordered vaccine regulations, a nursing strike or a declining economy.
Making the SWOT Analysis Chart
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SWOT analysis charts are two-by-two spreadsheets with all four categories equally represented. Each corner box represents one category’s list. Strengths will be highlighted in the top left corner box and weaknesses in the top right corner box. Opportunities will be highlighted in the bottom left corner box and threats in the bottom right corner box.
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