Building balanced scorecard with SWOT analysis, and implementing "Sun Tzu's The Art of Business Management Strategies" on QFD methodology

The article serves as a methodological guide for conducting SWOT analysis. The article also provides broad topics for analysts to consider when assessing a SWOT matrix.

The article outlines a step-by-step process for producing a SWOT matrix. The article proposes organizing a standard 2x2 matrix where strengths is the top left field, weaknesses the bottom left, opportunities the top right, and threats the bottom right field.

• Assess strengths. List the target's unique strengths without modesty.
• Assess weaknesses. List the target's organizational weaknesses from a rival's viewpoint.
• Assess opportunities. List the target's areas where there is potential for growth.
• Assess threats. List the environmental and/or competitive threats.

Once the matrix is complete, an analyst can compare and contrast an internally focused field, either strengths (S) or weaknesses (W), against an externally focused field, opportunities (O) or threats (T), to derive analytic insight along the following broad guidelines:

• S-O: Maximize strengths to capitilize on opportunities
• S-T: Use strengths to minimize threats
• W-O: Conquer weaknesses by making the most out of opportunities
• W-T: Minimize weaknesses to avoid threats.

The article suggests avoiding comparing and contrasting both internally focused fields with each other, as well as both externally focused fields. Doing so potentially creates unfocused strategies.