Which four factors are analyzed in a SWOT framework?

• A. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.
• B. Costs, Benefits, Risks, Uncertainty
• C. People, Process, Technology, Culture
• D. Plan, Do, Check, Act

Answer: (A)

In a SWOT framework you’re identifying four kinds of factors that influence success: internal strengths, internal weaknesses, external opportunities, and external threats. Strengths are what the organization does well or has in its favor—resources, capabilities, and advantages. Weaknesses are internal limitations or gaps that could hold you back. Opportunities are external conditions you could exploit to improve performance, while threats are external challenges that could hinder progress. The idea is to understand how to leverage strengths to seize opportunities, address weaknesses to reduce exposure to threats, and develop strategies that balance these dynamics. The other sets describe different frameworks: costs, benefits, risks, and uncertainty align more with decision or risk analysis; people, process, technology, culture reflect organizational capabilities; plan, do, check, act is a continuous-improvement cycle. Therefore, SWOT’s four factors are strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.