Complete an environmental scan for the health care organization you chose in Week Two. Use the SWOT Analysis table. Address the following items:
- Assess the organization’s internal strengths and weaknesses.
- Analyze the industry for opportunities and threats.
- Perform a SWOT analysis. A SWOT analysis helps determine performance gaps. It includes the following components:
- Strengths
- Weaknesses
- Opportunities
- Threats
- Describe the organization’s present and prospective customers.
- Evaluate the impact of the following factors:
- Consumer and social
- Competitive
- Technological
- Economic
- Legal and regulatory
Submit the SWOT analysis as a Microsoft® Excel® attachment.
Write a 1,400- to 1,750-word report in which you:
- Evaluate the significance and implications of an external environmental analysis in the development of a strategic plan. For your evaluation:
- Explain the purpose of environmental analysis.
- Describe possible implications of environmental analysis in the creation of your strategic plan.
- Analyze evolving external issues that can have an impact on the strategic plan.
- Evaluate benefits of competitive analysis as part of the strategic planning process.
- Based on your SWOT analysis, provide an assessment of your chosen organization in which you:
- Evaluate the organization’s ability to accomplish its mission, goals, and objectives as set in previous strategic plans.
- Evaluate the organization’s ability to respond to internal and external changes and challenges.
- Incorporate your SWOT analysis findings into clearly stated goals and objectives for a 3- to 5-year period, focusing on your strategic plan areas.
- You will have two to three goals for each year, with two to three measurable objectives for each goal.
- Goals may span several years.
- Outline your goals and objectives clearly and provide a narrative explanation for each of them.
Cite at least 3 peer-reviewed, scholarly, or similar resources to support your information.
Format your paper according to APA guidelines.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: In this assignment, an environmental scan is to be conducted for a healthcare organization using the SWOT analysis table. The organization’s internal strengths and weaknesses will be assessed, and an analysis of the industry for opportunities and threats will be performed, followed by a SWOT analysis. Additionally, the present and prospective customers of the organization will be described, and the impact of consumer and social, competitive, technological, economic, legal, and regulatory factors will be evaluated. Finally, the significance and implications of external environmental analysis in the development of a strategic plan will be evaluated, and the findings of the SWOT analysis will be incorporated into clearly stated goals and objectives for a 3- to 5-year period.
1. What is the purpose of conducting an environmental analysis in the development of a strategic plan?
Answer: The purpose of conducting an environmental analysis is to identify and analyze internal and external factors that can affect the performance of the organization. It helps to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the organization and the opportunities and threats in the industry. This information is then used to develop a strategic plan that takes into account the environmental factors that can affect the organization’s ability to achieve its goals.
2. What are the implications of environmental analysis in the creation of a strategic plan?
Answer: Environmental analysis helps to identify potential risks and opportunities for the organization, which can then be incorporated into the strategic plan. Environmental analysis also helps to identify the organization’s strengths and weaknesses, which can be used to develop strategies that exploit strengths and mitigate weaknesses. Therefore, the implications of environmental analysis in the creation of a strategic plan are significant because they help the organization develop a plan that is better suited to achieving its goals.
3. What are the benefits of competitive analysis as part of the strategic planning process?
Answer: The benefits of competitive analysis as part of the strategic planning process are numerous. Competitive analysis helps to identify the organization’s strengths and weaknesses relative to its competitors. It also helps to identify potential threats and opportunities in the industry, allowing the organization to develop strategies to exploit opportunities and mitigate threats. Finally, competitive analysis helps to identify potential gaps in the market where the organization can create a competitive advantage.
4. How does a SWOT analysis help determine performance gaps in an organization?
Answer: A SWOT analysis helps to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the organization and the opportunities and threats in the industry. Based on this information, the organization can develop strategies that exploit strengths and mitigate weaknesses, while also taking advantage of opportunities and mitigating threats. Therefore, a SWOT analysis helps to determine performance gaps in the organization by identifying areas where the organization needs to improve its performance and develop strategies to address these gaps.
5. How can the findings of a SWOT analysis be incorporated into clearly stated goals and objectives for a 3- to 5-year period?
Answer: The findings of a SWOT analysis can be incorporated into clearly stated goals and objectives by identifying areas where the organization needs to improve performance and developing strategies that address these areas. Goals and objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. They should focus on areas where the organization needs to improve its performance, such as increasing market share, reducing costs, or improving customer satisfaction. By incorporating the findings of a SWOT analysis into goals and objectives, the organization can develop a strategic plan that is better suited to achieving its goals.
