What does a SWOT analysis assess?

A SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that assesses four key components: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats relative to a business or organization. This analysis helps identify internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) that may be within an organization's control, as well as external factors (opportunities and threats) that could impact the organization's environment.

By examining strengths, organizations can leverage their advantages to gain a competitive edge. Understanding weaknesses enables organizations to identify areas that require improvement or require risk mitigation strategies. Opportunities are external factors that organizations can exploit for growth or improvement, while threats are challenges or barriers that could hinder progress or negatively affect the organization's success.

The other options reference specific areas of focus that do not align with the comprehensive nature of a SWOT analysis. It is designed to be a broad assessment rather than a focused examination of regulatory compliance, environmental impacts, or market trends.