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Abstract
The SWOT analysis tool was originally created in the 1960s as a business strategy brainstorming tool to assess and analyze similarities and differences between an organization and its competition.3 Advantages to completing and utilizing SWOT analysis include, but are not limited to, providing awareness of potential and critical problems affecting an organization, focusing on both the positive and negative facets of the internal (intrinsic) and external (extrinsic) organizational environment, aiding in the recognition of opportunities for the organization, and its simplistic use.4-6 The SWOT tool includes 4 main assessment elements: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (Table 1). Strengths and opportunities are facilitators that help a department or organization achieve goals, whereas weaknesses and threats are barriers to achieving goals.3 Each element is then assessed by answering a series of questions through brainstorming that focuses on both intrinsic and extrinsic factors.7 Completing SWOT analysis is typically part of an organization’s overall strategic management process.4Applying the SWOT Analysis The SWOT analysis is not a new management tool. Opportunities (facilitators) and threats (barriers) are external to the organization, and although an organization can benefit from opportunities and guard against threats, they cannot be changed.4 The purpose of this article is to guide the ED nurse manager in the application of this useful method through a step-by-step approach.2Step 1- Determine the Need In line with strategic planning, SWOT analysis should be completed on an annual basis and as needed in relation to the organization’s mission, vision, and goals.9 Within the health care realm and specifically in emergency departments, SWOT analysis should be implemented when financial constraints occur, when patient outcomes are undesirable, when patient satisfaction has decreased, when safety issues arise, and/or when patients choose other health care organizations to obtain care.Step 2- Gather the Team In performing and answering the SWOT analysis, all relevant stakeholders should be included.10 Stakeholders should include staff, nurses, and members of the interdisciplinary team, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physicians’ assistants, and therapists, if applicable. [...]during the adjourning stage, the majority of the goals have been obtained and documented with action plans in place, if needed.