A SWOT Analysis Is A Technique Used To Determine And Define: Geography Assignment, UCD, Ireland

A SWOT analysis is a technique used to determine and define the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of a place, company, and or organization. In rural or small-town development, a SWOT analysis can be a very good starting point for a local community group or town council when considering a local development strategy for their town or local village.

Examples:

Strengths: Characteristics of a town that gives it an advantage economically, socially, culturally, historically, etc. (employment potential, tourism, strong community groups, young people, proximity to an urban center, etc.)

Weaknesses: Characteristics of a town, which are a disadvantage to development (e.g. lack of employment, older population, proximity to an urban center, lack of social capital, etc.)

Opportunities: What opportunities are not currently explored in the town, which could become potential town strengths (tourism, youth, empty buildings, nearby industry, etc.)

Threats: External or internal issues influencing the development of the town (policy environment, age demographic, business closure, Brexit, etc.).

Ask yourself the following questions to fill out the SWOT Analysis: SWOT Questions

For Strengths, you should ask:

• What does Athenry do exceptionally well?
• What advantages does Athenry have?

For Weaknesses:

• What could Athenry do better?
• Where is Athenry vulnerable?

For Opportunities:

• What opportunities does Athenry know about but have not yet addressed?
• Are there emerging trends on which Athenry can capitalize?

For Threats:

• Are weaknesses likely to make Athenry vulnerable?
• What external roadblocks exist that block Athenry’s progress?