PRIMO encourages this method for preparing decision-making in and for the public domain. It brings two worlds together: the internal world of an organisation, group or community and that of its external world. Internally, there are Strengths and Weaknesses. Externally, there are trends and developments which can emerge for the organisation, group or community as Opportunities or Threats. The method aligns internal capabilities with external autonomous realities.
Strengths (S): Core competencies, unique resources, proprietary technology, strong brand equity, or physical/financial assets that provide a competitive advantage.
Weaknesses (W): Resource gaps, operational inefficiencies, high debt, talent deficiencies, or vulnerabilities that place the organisation, group or community at disadvantage.
Opportunities (O): Favourable macro-environmental trends, emerging market niches, technological shifts, or regulatory changes the organisation, group or community can use to develop or improve its approach, values and governance.
Threats (T): Supply chain disruptions, aggressive competitor moves, cybersecurity issues, unfavourable shifts in consumer behaviour, or economic downturns that endanger stability.
It is the art of cross-examining the quadrants
Strengths + Opportunities: it represents the ideal position for an organisation. It uses its internal core strengths to directly act on external trends and developments which emerge as an opportunity. The key question is how to use the strength to capture the opportunity. To what extent will our strengths enable us to take advantage of opportunities?
Strengths + Threats: This cell focuses on leveraging internal strengths to neutralize, avoid, or defend against external threats or competitive forces. The key question is how to use the strength to minimise the threat. To what extent will our strengths enable us to
defend against threats?
Opportunities + Weaknesses: This cell looks at external market opportunities that the organisation cannot currently exploit due to internal weaknesses. The key question is how to fix or overcome these weaknesses to pursue the opportunity. To what extent will our weaknesses prevent us from taking advantage of opportunities?
Threats + Weaknesses: This is the most critical and vulnerable cell. It identifies scenarios where external threats directly align with internal weaknesses. Strategies here are defensive, focusing on risk mitigation, restructuring, or liquidation. The key question is how to minimise weaknesses and avoid threats. To what extent will our weaknesses prevent us from protecting against threats?
