What threats does your project, or business, face? What opportunities have you identified that you could pursue? What strengths do you have that you can leverage to achieve your goals? What weaknesses might hold you back or cause you to fail? Underlying all of these questions, is your situation and the external factors in play. The answers influence the direction you should take.

In this episode Martin and Maurice explore the elements of SWOT analysis, provide some pointers to help you differentiate the different factors, and highlight why this is important in the planning and execution of the course you take. Informally they discuss: the context you're operating within; the capabilities you have, and those you don't have; and the challenges thrust upon you and those you choose to undertake. Only by understanding these can you set your course with confidence.