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OVERVIEW
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What is it?
SWOT analysis is a strategic analysis tool for use in context analysis. The acronym refers to the domains it considers: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. It combines an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of an organisation, geographical area or sector with assessment of the opportunities and threats posed by the environment.
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What can it be used for?
SWOT analysis considers internal and external factors to maximise the potential of strengths and opportunities, while minimising the impact of weaknesses and threats.
When used as a tool for context analysis, SWOT complements PESTEL by identifying possible strategic approaches. It is also closely linked in the design phase to public policy analysis and stakeholder analysis; these in turn are often integrated in PESTEL in the preliminary identification phase.
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When can it be used?
SWOT analysis is particularly relevant in context analysis as a complement to PESTEL. However, it can be used for many purposes during implementation (e.g. to make strategic choices if changes in the context are identified) or evaluation to ensure that the implemented strategy is appropriate to the situation described in the analysis.
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Who can use it?
- EU staff
- Relevant partners
- Stakeholders or relevant experts during implementation or evaluation
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What are its strengths?
- Quickly underlines the adequacy (or inadequacy) of a strategy, in relation to the problems and issues under consideration and in supporting decision-making processes.
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What are its limitations?
- Even when well conceived, SWOT anaysis is subjective. It should therefore involve a representative number of stakeholders.
- Distinguishing between internal and external factors may sometimes be challenging.
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PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Key elements
SWOT analysis follows four key steps:
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Internal approach | List of the strengths | How can strengths be maximised? | A study of the reasons why strengths overcome weaknesses |
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List of the weaknesses | How can weaknesses be minimised? | |||||
External approach | List of the opportunities | How can opportunities be maximised? | A study of the reasons why opportunities minimise threats | |||
List of the threats | How can threats be minimised? |
Source: Adapted from SWOT analysis. Capacity4Dev – EuropeAid. Evaluation Methodological Approach. Evaluation Tools.
Step 4: Use SWOT findings to inform the intervention's logic. In context analysis, the final step consists of moving toward the design of a specific intervention, building it so it is rooted in the context and in line with the EUD country mandate.
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Requirements
Data/information. Regardless of the specific methodology applied, preparation of a SWOT analysis should include, at a minimum, documentary analysis and interviews with key resource people.
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Tips and tricks
It is not necessary to capture all the details in analysing context. Keep the focus on any anticipated changes which may affect the objectives of the intervention.
RESOURCES
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EU RESOURCES
- The European Commission. Evaluation Unit from EuropeAid. SWOT analysis. Evaluation Methodological Approach. Evaluation Tools.
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OTHER RESOURCES
- UNICEF,
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- SWOT and PESTEL
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- 2015: Understanding your external and internal context for better planning and decision-making.
- United Nations Development Group (UNDG), 2017
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- : Common country analysis. UNDAF Companion Guidance.
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For further information, any revision or comment, please contact INTPA-ICM-GUIDE@ec.europa.eu
Published by INTPA.D.4 - Quality and results, evaluation, knowledge management. Last update May 2025
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