A SWOT Analysis is a simple analysis rubric that identifies strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats for an organization or project. Though this method was first adopted in the 1960's as a business management tool, the straightforward format has been adapted for many uses, and is so helpful in library management that the American Library Association provides a SWOT Analysis template as part of its advocacy toolbox.

The template provided here is adapted from ALA's. This SWOT Analysis can be used straight from the gate as a brainstorming tool, but is especially powerful if you have already done some groundwork through surveys and individual assessment - then you are using actual data to fill out the rubric, instead of guesswork.

For a great example of a makerspace-specific SWOTs, check out the College of the Canyon's Makerspace Business Plan, which includes a SWOT analysis, as well as a mission statement.

Another fun and inspirational example is this crowd-sourced SWOT of makerspaces in Science & Technology seminars facilitated by Alchemy Studios.

SWOT ANALYSIS WORKSHEET

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