What Is SWOT Analysis
Using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to Inform OH&S Strategy and Stakeholder Management
SWOT Analysis is a strategic planning tool used to evaluate an organisation's internal capabilities and external environment. The acronym stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It provides a structured way to assess performance, stakeholder positioning, and risk exposure—especially in the context of ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) management systems.
SWOT Analysis supports proactive planning by encouraging organisations to align internal resources with external conditions, enhancing resilience, compliance, and strategic execution.
Components of SWOT Analysis
- Strengths: Internal resources, competencies, or achievements that support OH&S objectives (e.g. strong safety leadership).
- Weaknesses: Internal limitations or performance gaps (e.g. lack of training or outdated procedures).
- Opportunities: External trends or developments that can improve safety or compliance (e.g. new safety technologies or favourable regulations).
- Threats: External risks or pressures that could undermine safety performance (e.g. stricter legislation, labour shortages).
Applying SWOT to OH&S and ISO 45001
In OH&S systems, SWOT helps organisations evaluate how internal culture and external dynamics affect their ability to prevent harm, meet regulatory requirements, and engage stakeholders effectively. It's particularly useful during:
- Context analysis under ISO 45001 Clause 4.1 and 4.2
- Strategic planning and OH&S performance reviews
- Stakeholder engagement and validation phases (e.g. MOVER Framework)
- Designing safety programmes with external influences in mind (e.g. PESTLE Analysis integration)
Example: Using SWOT in Stakeholder Analysis
When applied to stakeholder analysis, SWOT can help identify which stakeholder groups present the most value or risk to the organisation’s OH&S goals. For instance, a stakeholder with technical expertise and high engagement may be a strength, while a disengaged regulator could represent a threat.
Benefits of SWOT Analysis
- Supports evidence-based decision-making in risk management
- Aligns strategic goals with OH&S performance improvement
- Reveals gaps in capacity or stakeholder communication
- Improves readiness for external change and audit expectations
SWOT Analysis helps identify internal capabilities and external risks that affect safety outcomes. It supports compliance, risk planning, and stakeholder alignment within ISO 45001 management systems.
A risk register is reactive and itemised, listing specific hazards and controls. SWOT is broader and strategic, focusing on overall capacity, vulnerability, and opportunity across internal and external contexts.
Yes. SWOT works well alongside PESTLE Analysis, Influence Diagrams and Stakeholder Mapping to provide a complete perspective on risk and opportunity.