SWOT Analysis and a Gemba Walk

In the Competency 1 Assessment, you created a systems thinking diagram that mapped the stock, inflows, outflows, and feedback loops of your organization. As you become more familiar with your environment and the relationships and interactions between departments and people, you will begin to discover existing strengths and weaknesses. The analysis of the weaknesses and threats to a system is essential during the initial phase to make operational improvements, and it will reveal existing opportunities to plan and execute effective solutions. In this assessment, you will complete a SWOT analysis and a Gemba walk.
Part 1: SWOT Analysis
Watch the following videos:
“The Analysis Phase“
“SWOT Analysis“
Read “SWOT Analysis: How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy” from Chron.com.
As you prepare to complete a SWOT analysis of your organization, refer to the following table for questions to consider:
Internal or External Helpful Harmful
Internal Strengths
What does the organization do well?
What unique resources can the organization draw on?
What do other organizations see as strengths? Weaknesses
What could the organization improve?
Where does the organization have fewer resources than others?
What are other organizations likely to see as weaknesses?
External Opportunities
What opportunities are available to the organization?
What trends could the organization take advantage of?
How can the organization turn strengths into opportunities? Threats
What threats could harm the organization?
What is the competition doing?
What threats to the organization expose weaknesses?
Complete a SWOT analysis of your organization by following the steps below:
Complete a preliminary walk around the organization to scan the following:
Internal environment for strengths and weaknesses (e.g., workflows, products, personnel, processes)
External environment for opportunities the organization might take advantage of and threats that the organization should mitigate against (new markets, advances in technology, proposed regulations, competition, etc.)
Follow up with additional research that may provide clarity on elements you are hesitant or indecisive to list.
Review your systems thinking diagram from Competency 1 and determine if there are any details you can add or adjustments you can make to enhance your understanding of the organizational system.
Write an objective for your SWOT analysis.
List the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, potential opportunities, and potential threats.
Select the items that should be prioritized.
Cite 3 reputable references to support your SWOT analysis (e.g., trade or industry publications, government or agency websites, scholarly works, or other sources of similar quality).
After completing the SWOT analysis, select the areas in need of improvement, and narrow down the list of places to do your Gemba walk.
Part 2: Gemba Walk
Complete your Gemba walk. While completing your walk, look for ways to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce waste, improve a product, or streamline a process.
Write a 500- to 750-word report on your observations of your Gemba walk in which you:
Summarize the organization (e.g., products or services, mission and vision).
Explain where you focused your Gemba walk and why.
Provide Gemba observations.
What was the goal of your Gemba?
Where did you go?
What did you observe?
Who did you observe?
Give a preliminary analysis of your observations.
List key takeaways.
List one long-term and three short-term opportunities to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce waste, improve a product, or streamline a process.
Cite any references that support your work (e.g., trade or industry publications, government or agency websites, scholarly works, or other sources of similar quality).
Format your assignment according to APA guidelines.
Submit your assignment.