COVID 19 SWOT Analysis: SWOT Analysis in a Pandemic (Template)

Many planning tools are used on an annual basis—yet, they are often overlooked in the middle of a pandemic like COVID-19. There is an opportunity, now more than ever, in your team's need for direction, a way to focus their action and a bumper rail to keep them moving forward. This will allow you to harness the energy of your team rather than sinking in the quicksand of panic.

Many executives have heard of SWOT but aren’t familiar with how to leverage it for their business plan, much less how to utilize it in a time of crisis. Every business I work with has seen the effects of the pandemic—either positive or negative. Let’s look at how to utilize the SWOT approach for either effect by making it a cSWOT (Crisis SWOT). A SWOT analysis about covid 19 is key to establishing a healthy decision-making capability and communication rhythm in your company during trying times.

In the absence of information, your team will make it up. With all your favorite stations, news, Twitter, Facebook, etc. focused on COVID-19, it seems conflicting information is spreading faster than a contagious virus. To SWOT away at a pandemic, you must own the communication in your company.  These days they often come through Zoom virtual meetings, keep them fresh with a list of Zoom Icebreakers to keep your meetings engaging.

A crisis SWOT diverges from the usual SWOT output, is foundational for you to own the communication in your company (even overwrite conflicting stories and news), and can be completed in four steps.

Step 1: Understand SWOT analysis terms

SWOT is a tool that identifies the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of an organization. A SWOT visual is a 2x2 matrix, yet can be much more when used as a tool to leverage the thinking and energy of more than one person for collaboration, which is one reason we built it directly into the dashboard of Rhythm software.

Put aside the standard, long-term use of this tool, and focus on this time of rapidly changing pandemic. For a COVID SWOT, the outcome desired is to categorize the immediate positive and negative influence of internal and external forces, thus creating a SWOT matrix of four categories based on internal forces and external forces:

INTERNAL FORCES (we have control)

• Strengths Category (positive: capitalize on, leverage or protect)
• Something that we can do very well today that could help us gain fast traction with skills, resources, and knowledge already in place.
• Weakness Category (negative: mitigate or eliminate)
• Areas that are holding us back should be removed or improved upon with the right energy and effort.

EXTERNAL FORCES (we do not have control)

• Opportunities Category (positive: potential areas to invest in or pursue)
• These could include technology, relaxing regulations, elimination of trade barriers, changing consumer preferences, etc.
• Threats Category (negative: to shore up against, mitigate)
• The emergence of new regulations, increased trade barriers, supply chain disruption, etc.

As a crisis management tool, the COIVID 19 SWOT is an analysis equally applicable to companies who have activated BCPs (Business Continuity Plans) and those who have no plan and are scrambling or stuck  A BCP is useful for a one-time (or unchanging) declared event, yet it often overlooks the changing environment of a pandemic. A SWOT analysis during a pandemic constantly changes with the changing market conditions and should be re-evaluated during your regular rhythm of work. A SWOT incorporates the changing environment of this unpredictable business enemy. If you have no plan, the SWOT allows you to focus energy immediately and communicate the right message to your team.

SWOT Analysis Video

Returning to the office or hybrid model? You should also read Use Core Values to Strategize Your Post-COVID Return to the Office.

Step 2: Apply the SWOT approach to (4) distinct business scorecard (BSC) categories

The development of SWOT at Stanford Research Institute included a questionnaire completed by over 5,000 executives—and there is a direct link between the conclusions and your company: The CEO should be the chief planner, and the executive or senior team should be the senior planning team.

Meet weekly, and discuss Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats, one category at a time: Employees; Customers; Revenue; Processes (see graphic below). Prioritize each categorical list, and then compare all four to create your immediate 3-5 weekly priorities to focus on.

Step 3: Do your pandemic SWOT analysis a minimum 1x per week

Why do this every week? I admit that it seems counterintuitive. Yet standard approaches cannot lead us through these unpredictable times. Things are changing fast, and there is no precedent. By focusing on the top 3-5 weekly priorities from your COVID-19 SWOT analysis, your team will have a focus for the week while you and your leadership team own the communication—and all are less likely to be blindsided. This will build encouragement during this pandemic and help buoy morale.

Each week, after you complete Step 2, reconvene again. Use the latest info and intel, work through a SWOT and create a new list of 3-5 priorities for the next week. Don’t forget that with each weekly plan put in place, you must own the communication with stakeholders (team, lenders, board, public, government agencies, suppliers, etc. as appropriate).

Step 4: Communicate the next steps to appropriate stakeholders

Set a weekly (minimum) communication cycle to inform all stakeholders. In uncertain times, it’s easier to communicate consistently by scheduling ahead. Think about your stakeholders' “news cycle,” and plan accordingly. You may use a morning internal press announcement to level-set what the company and leadership are doing against last night's (or this morning’s) news.

To SWOT during a pandemic, maximize team member effort, and communicate your SWOT. You’ll give your team direction, focus their actions, and put up bumper rails to keep them moving forward—all while gaining actionable data to lead you through any pandemic. Understand the SWOT terms, apply the SWOT approach weekly (or more often), and immediately communicate the next steps to appropriate stakeholders.

Here is a COVID-19 SWOT analysis example done in the Rhythm Systems strategic planning software:

Be sure to write with your application, your results, and your questions, or check out our virtual planning services if you need expert help – Barry.

Need help getting your team aligned to achieve your growth goals? Rhythm systems software was ranked the #1 easiest software to use, highest ROI, fastest implementation, and highest adoption rate on G2.