In SWOT analysis, which categories are external?

In SWOT analysis, which categories are external?

• A. Opportunities and Threats
• B. Strengths and Weaknesses
• C. Weaknesses and Threats
• D. Strengths and Opportunities

Answer: (A)

In SWOT analysis, external factors come from outside the organization and capture the opportunities to pursue and threats to manage, shaped by market conditions, competitors, regulations, and other outside forces. Opportunities and threats reflect what lies beyond the firm’s control and can drive or jeopardize strategic moves. The other pair—strengths and weaknesses—describe internal resources, capabilities, and limitations that originate within the organization. So the external categories are opportunities and threats.

In SWOT analysis, external factors come from outside the organization and capture the opportunities to pursue and threats to manage, shaped by market conditions, competitors, regulations, and other outside forces. Opportunities and threats reflect what lies beyond the firm’s control and can drive or jeopardize strategic moves. The other pair—strengths and weaknesses—describe internal resources, capabilities, and limitations that originate within the organization. So the external categories are opportunities and threats.