50+ SWOT analysis questions for strategic planning

If you’ve worked in a corporate environment, you may have heard managers or team members talk about “SWOT analysis.” But what exactly does this term mean?

SWOT analysis provides a better approach to understanding your current position and the way forward. Examining internal and external factors leads to clearer, better decisions. This guide digs deep into SWOT analysis and offers over 50 targeted questions to improve your strategic planning process.

Find out what it is and why asking the right questions is so important.

What is SWOT analysis?

SWOT analysis stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis. Businesses use it to plan strategically, individuals apply it for personal growth, and teams employ it to assess projects.

Strengths and weaknesses focus on internal factors, while opportunities and threats look into external factors. This analysis guides business decisions and also focuses your efforts.

SWOT analysis helps you evaluate your position. You identify what you do well and spot areas needing improvement. External factors such as market trends emerge. Competitor actions become clearer.

When you break down these four categories, you create a roadmap. Small businesses, enterprises, nonprofits, and even schools benefit. The process is simple but powerful. It gives you a better view of what works and what might get in the way. Whether you’re launching a product or planning for the year, this method gives your ideas structure.

Why are the right SWOT questions so important?

A SWOT analysis is only as good as the questions you ask. Good SWOT analysis questions spark insights. They drive your strategic planning forward.

Vague questions waste time. Sharp ones reveal hidden truths and learn what sets you apart. You also identify risks others miss.

Quality questions shape your output by forcing you to think deeply. For instance, asking about unique skills highlights strengths, while checking market shifts exposes threats. Teams stay focused with structured prompts, bringing real data and lived experience into planning. Individuals also avoid generic answers.

This approach builds actionable plans. You spot opportunities competitors overlook, helping you gain an edge. Poor questions lead to shallow results; great ones open better opportunities.

Businesses need clarity to deliver better products and services. Structured SWOT analysis questions guide discussions and keep brainstorming productive. You avoid fluff and focus on facts. Every team member contributes meaningfully. The right prompts turn analysis into strategy. This helps you make business decisions with confidence.

50+ SWOT analysis questions to inspire insightful planning

You need strong SWOT question examples to fuel your planning. Here are over 50 questions split into strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Each category offers practical questions that can apply to businesses, nonprofits, schools, and more.

Use them for SWOT brainstorming sessions. They cover teams, products, finances, and markets.

Strengths: What gives you an edge?

Your strengths set you apart from competitors. They’re internal advantages you control. Asking the right strengths and weaknesses questions reveals your edge. These questions can impact growth, and they include the following:

• What do customers praise most?
• What’s our most successful product or service?
• Where do we outperform competitors?
• What skill sets our team apart?
• What resources do we have that others don’t?
• What do we do faster than others?
• What’s our biggest cost advantage?
• What internal processes work well?
• What do we do that others try to copy?
• Where do we lead in the market?
• What past wins can we build on?
• What do we consistently deliver on time or better than expected?
• What partnerships strengthen our position?
• Where do we get repeat business?

These questions reveal your strengths. A small business might highlight its customer service, while a nonprofit could point to its donor base.

Weaknesses: Where do you need improvement?

Weaknesses hold you back. They’re internal gaps you can fix. Honest questions about strengths and weaknesses lead to improvement. These prompts push you to reflect and include the following:

• Where are we losing time?
• What complaints come up often?
• What tools or systems slow us down?
• Where do we lack training or expertise?
• What causes friction for our team?
• Where do we spend more than we should?
• What gets in the way of customer satisfaction?
• Where are we always playing catch-up?
• What have we delayed too long?
• What keeps us from scaling?
• Where are we seeing high turnover?
• What processes break under pressure?
• What goals do we keep missing?
• What makes our work inconsistent?
• Where do competitors do better?

Facing weaknesses feels tough, yet doing so drives growth. A retailer might spot inventory issues, and a school could admit outdated curricula. Nonprofits might see fundraising gaps.

Combine answers using Jotform’s Strategic Plan Template questions to address them. You’ll spot blind spots and turn operational gaps into opportunities.

Opportunities: Where can you grow?

Opportunities lie outside your control. They are external possibilities you can seize. Strategic planning questions help you spot them. These questions include the following:

• What trends can we take advantage of?
• Are there needs we’re not yet solving?
• What technologies can boost our productivity?
• Where are our competitors falling short?
• What new markets can we explore?
• What partnerships could help us grow?
• Where are customers asking for something new?
• What gaps in our offerings can we fill?
• What can we automate to save time?
• What services can we expand?
• Are there recent industry changes that work in our favor?
• What content or tools could build our brand?
• Where can we improve reach with small changes?
• Are there events or seasons we can plan around?
• Can we offer something more flexible or faster?

Opportunities excite teams. A healthcare provider might see telehealth potential, while businesses might get into e-commerce. Use these questions in SWOT brainstorming to think big about new ideas.

Jotform’s Business Model Canvas Template helps you map the next steps to find growth opportunities.

Threats: What risks should you prepare for?

These are risks that can disrupt business progress. Smart SWOT analysis questions expose them and keep you alert. These questions include

• What market shifts could hurt us?
• Are any tools or systems becoming outdated?
• Are new competitors entering our space?
• What’s changing in customer expectations?
• Where are we losing attention or traffic?
• Are supply chains under strain?
• What risks do we face from staff turnover?
• Are costs rising faster than expected?
• What outside forces limit our growth?
• What legal or regulatory changes could impact us?
• Are customers trusting new platforms more?
• Is our technology at risk of becoming obsolete?
• Are major clients at risk of leaving?
• What happens if one revenue stream drops?
• Are we overdependent on any one process or person?

Threats demand vigilance, and anticipating them minimizes surprises. For instance, retailers might fear online giants, schools could face funding cuts, and nonprofits might worry about donor fatigue.

If you want to compare trends or rivals, use the Jotform Competitive Analysis Template to study rivals.

You do not have to use every question above. Choose what fits your team’s goals and try to get honest answers. Keep in mind that the best ideas come from real data, not guesswork.

A full SWOT analysis example of a local coffee shop

A locally owned coffee shop operates in a mid-sized city. The shop aims to increase its market share and profitability in a market where large chains dominate. The coffee shop conducts a SWOT analysis to guide its strategic planning for the next year.

Here are the results:

Strengths

• Unique brand and customer loyalty: The coffee shop is popular for its cozy ambiance and locally sourced coffee beans, building a loyal customer base. Many customers are regulars.
• Skilled baristas: The team includes award-winning baristas who excel in latte art and customer service, setting the shop apart from competitors.
• Strong social media presence: The shop’s Instagram account drives significant foot traffic through engaging posts and promotions.
• High-quality products: Specialty drinks and house-made pastries consistently receive positive reviews.

Weaknesses

• Limited marketing budget: The shop struggles to compete with the advertising budgets of large chains.
• Outdated point-of-sale (POS) system: The current POS system is slow and lacks integration with mobile payment platforms. This causes delays during peak hours.
• High employee turnover: Barista turnover is significantly high at the coffee shop, leading to inconsistent service and increased training costs.
• Small physical space: The shop’s limited seating capacity restricts its ability to accommodate large groups during busy periods.

Opportunities

• Growing demand for sustainable products: Increasing consumer interest in eco-friendly practices aligns with the coffee shop’s use of organic, fair-trade coffee.
• Partnerships with local businesses: Collaborating with nearby gyms or bookstores for cross-promotion could increase reach.
• E-commerce potential: Launching an online store for branded coffee beans and mugs could diversify revenue streams.
• Community events: Hosting open mic nights or coffee-tasting workshops could increase brand visibility and customer engagement.

Threats

• Competitive pressure from chains: National chains are opening new locations nearby, offering lower prices and loyalty programs.
• Rising supply costs: Fluctuating coffee bean prices due to global supply chain disruptions threaten profit margins.
• Changing customer preferences: A shift toward plant-based milk alternatives requires menu updates, which could increase costs.
• Economic downturn: Inflation and reduced consumer spending could decrease discretionary purchases such as specialty coffee.

How to do a SWOT analysis effectively

You want to master SWOT analysis. Start with clear goals and gather your team for brainstorming. Use the preceding questions to get data. Make sure you note answers honestly. Also, avoid sugarcoating weaknesses and do not ignore threats.

Next, organize your findings using a SWOT template guide to keep things tidy. Prioritize main points and turn insights into actions. For instance, use strengths to chase opportunities. Fix weaknesses to dodge threats, such as outdated company systems that don’t match current systems.

It is also necessary to revisit your analysis regularly. Keep in mind that markets shift quickly, and your plan must evolve.

Teams benefit most from collaboration. This is why you should be open to diverse perspectives. For instance, sales teams spot customer trends, while finance teams highlight budget risks. Marketing teams, on the other hand, know about brand perception. When you embrace SWOT brainstorming, everyone on your team can add value.

Solo planners can benefit from SWOT analysis. Reflect deeply on each category and use the questions to guide you. Write down every idea. Then, refine your list. Pair your SWOT with a strategic plan to help you focus on your goals.

Take the guesswork out of strategic planning

Strategic planning does not need to feel abstract. With strong SWOT questions, your team can focus fast. You don’t have to start from scratch, either.

Did you know you can use the Jotform SWOT Analysis Template to identify your products’ and services’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats? Our template guide makes planning simple.

At Jotform, we build tools that help you move from brainstorming to action. Whether you’re mapping out next steps or leading your team through change, our forms, templates, and workflows help you move faster and smarter.

Want to reinvent your business? Start by asking better questions today.Sign up for free to check out our SWOT analysis templates.