You can’t get your business to a different place by following the same road or without direction. After identifying your core strengths and weaknesses through a Business Diagnostic, you need to develop Strategic and Operational Action Plans. The S.W.O.T. analysis that you perform on your business will help determine what needs to be done in your business, and in what order, to reach your goals.

You should begin by developing action plans based directly on the challenges you face. You must take into account the key stakeholders involved-you, your team, your customers and your suppliers. The result is a structured, step-by-step strategic and operational project plan that outlines what needs to be done, when it will happen, and who is responsible for each action step.

Ensuring that the action plans get underway and the work gets done is the most crucial stage in the process. You should set specific action steps required for each challenge and monitor the output. To ensure you stay on track, you will need a project workplan to monitor progress. It may sound a little overwhelming but it is the best way to realize the benefits of participating in a S.W.O.T. analysis and reach the goals you set for your business.