PHASE # 3: SWOT (1 Month)


Greetings Valley Ridge District,


In my last two strategic articles (linked here: Phase 1 and Phase 2) I discussed People, Purpose and Research.


The next step for the Strategic Planning Team is the SWOT Analysis, short for

Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats.


Internally, every organization has strengths and weaknesses which are within our control. Those need to be observed, named, and addressed.

Additionally, there are external opportunities and threats, beyond our control, but which also need to be observed, named, and addressed. A Strategic Planning Team can use the chart shown below to perform their analysis. Standard questions are in the first block, and a sample of a church SWOT is second block.

Standard Questions

Church Specific

Rev. Dr. Dale C. White

Director of Congregational Excellence

Valley Ridge District, Virginia Annual Conference, United Methodist Church

[email protected]