{"id":689,"date":"2022-03-02T23:12:04","date_gmt":"2022-03-02T19:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gradmode.com\/?p=689"},"modified":"2022-07-28T14:40:55","modified_gmt":"2022-07-28T10:40:55","slug":"what-is-the-difference-between-swot-and-tows-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gradmode.com\/what-is-the-difference-between-swot-and-tows-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Difference between SWOT and TOWS Analysis?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The difference between SWOT and TOWS analysis is that the former identifies <\/span>internal and external factors. The latter expands upon this by interlinking the identified factors<\/span> to assess the strategies available to companies. In other words, TOWS is used to align the strength and weaknesses of a company (internal factors) to the opportunities and threats that exist in the environment (external factors), to gain a better understanding of the current and future strategies of a company. Hence, SWOT analysis is often the initial step before doing TOWS analysis.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a detailed list of specific differences between SWOT and TOWS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basis of Difference<\/strong><\/td>SWOT Analysis<\/strong><\/td>TOWS Analysis<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
What does it help with?<\/td>Capture a snapshot of the company by evaluating internal resources and assessing the external environment<\/td>Gain a better understanding of the current and future strategies of the company<\/td><\/tr>
What does it focus on?<\/td>This is an assessment of how well a company is matching its resources to the business environment which it is competing in<\/td>This is an assessment of what strategies are available to a company based on its resources and factors of the environment it operates in<\/td><\/tr>
What do you need to do?<\/td>Brainstorm and identify internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats)<\/td>Try to align internal and external factors of SWOT which have been identified to categorize the strategies of companies<\/td><\/tr>
Is there a sequence to follow?<\/td>SWOT analysis can be done directly by looking at internal factors of a company and external environmental factors<\/td>TOWS analysis is only possible if we have already identified a list of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to work with<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For a more thorough explanation of each of these tools, please go through the next sections as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Table of Contents<\/p>\n