Part of Lesson Plan: Let's Do a SWOT analysis and Gather Data!

Activity Overview / Details

After I've gotten their attention, I say, OK I bet you all have some pretty good opportunities listed in your rough draft, and maybe some more goals, too.  Let's talk about the last component in our SWOT analysis, "Threats".  Remember, threats is on the "external" side of the quadrant, so we're trying to determine things which we may not have much control over, which could threaten our catering company.  I go to the board, and under "Oppotunities" (and next to "Weaknesses - I've created a quadrant on the board), I write "Threats" and say, can anyone think of one?  They may respond...

"rain; we could get a rainy winter and not be able to do any outside events"

"competition; the cafeteria, or even an off-campus company, could start trying to take our business"

"the school could make the "Healthy Food Policy" even more healthy, and no one will want to eat what we can cook"

"The Health Dept. could close us if one of us didn't wash their hands correctly, and everyone got sick"

After I've written a few responses, I tell them to talk with your teammate, and I'll give you a few minutes to put some  possible threats in your rough draft.  I walk among the students, guiding and advising.