Conducting a SWOT Analysis

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Program Title (as applicable):

  Business Management and Analysis

  Course Title:

  Business and Entrepreneurial Principles

  Course Number:

  8215120

  Career Cluster:

  Business Management & Administration

  CIP Number:

  0552070110

  Course Type:

  Career Preparatory

  17.05 Function as a team member and participate in group discussions to identify and resolve problems.

  17.07 Organize and lead discussions.

  17.09 Answer questions in formal and information situations.

  18.06 Analyze and synthesize information obtained from print and electronic resources for group discussions and team building activities.

  Other CTE Course:

  8301110 - Management and Human Resources

  38.02 Identify information from outside the organization; include reference to the general business environment, industry practices, technology advancements, economy, and labor force, legal and regulatory environment.

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson is designed to be used with the case study, “SWOT Analysis.” See CPALMS resource ID# 208639.

• Career Connection

  
  

  In this lesson, students will function as team members and participate in group discussions to identify and resolve problems. Students will participate in an important aspect of a manager’s job, which is identifying a company’s internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats (SWOT).

• Learning Objectives

  
  

  Students will be able to:

  • Analyze and synthesize information to inform group discussions and team building.
  • Research information from inside and outside an organization that may impact the functioning/performance of a business.
  • Conduct a SWOT analysis, looking at an organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
  • Work collaboratively in small groups to achieve a goal.

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students should be able to:

  • Work cooperatively in a small group setting (4-5 students per group)
  • Speak in front of classmates.
  • Conduct online research.

• Guiding Questions

  
  

  • How can a SWOT analysis help a business?

  • Why is conducting a SWOT analysis important for a business?

• Procedure

  
  
  1. To introduce the lesson, review the aspects of a SWOT analysis (see Teacher Notes).
     • strengths and weaknesses are internal for an organization, and opportunities and threats are external.
     • Strengths are things the company is currently doing well while weaknesses are things the company is doing poorly.
     • Opportunities are new things the company could start doing to improve their business. Threats are external forces that can have a negative impact on the business.
     • Provide a few examples of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for a company that students are familiar with to give students context.
  2. Provide student with the case study, "SWOT Analysis" (resource # 208639) without the outcome.
     • Have students identify SWOT examples in the case study. Students can use different color highlighters to mark each type.
  3. For the collaborative activity, split students into groups of 4-5 students.
     • Have each group choose a company they are familiar with for which they would like to conduct a SWOT analysis.
  4. Give students an opportunity to plan, research, and put together their SWOT analysis using the attached graphic organizer.
     • Circulate the room as students work to provide assistance and redirect as needed.
  5. After students have created their SWOT analysis, have 1 person per group share their findings with the class.
  6. To bring the lesson to a close, have students complete an exit ticket on their own paper. Students will list 3 things they learned about SWOT analysis, 2 things they learned about the company, 1 question they still have.

• Teacher Notes

  
  
  • For pacing, teach students about SWOT analyses and have students conduct their swot analysis on day 1 and have students present their findings to the class and do the exit tickets on day 2.
  • See the case study outcome (“SWOT Analysis” resource # 208639) for examples of SWOT for Steps 1 and 2.
  • Additional teacher resources for SWOT analysis are:
    • https://www.eda.gov/resources/comprehensive-economic-development-strategy/content/swot-analysis
    • https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4245-swot-analysis.html
    • https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-resources/swot-analysis/main
    • https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/02/24/swot-analysis-the-most-overlooked-business-tool-and-how-to-use-it/?sh=2eca890c612a

• Optional

  
  

  Extension Ideas:

  • Have students create a SWOT analysis for their school.
  • Provide students with additional time to prepare a formal presentation on their SWOT analysis to practice public speaking skills.