Using a SWOT Analysis to Supercharge Your Institutional Assessment

Let’s be real—assessment in higher education can sometimes feel a lot like herding cats. By that I mean: chaotic, can get a “little hairy”, and some people definitely seem to be allergic. But what if I told you that a somewhat simple SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis could turn your institutional assessment process from a headache into a well-oiled machine? A well-thought-out assessment culture doesn’t just satisfy accreditation requirements; it drives student success, makes faculty jobs easier, and fosters a culture of excellence.

Step 1: Know Where You Stand

Before running a SWOT analysis, you need to understand your institution’s assessment culture. How do you do that? By assessing our assessment processes! Stick with me here, but… we should practice what we preach. By using tools like self-assessments, stakeholder feedback, process mapping, and data reviews we can leverage assessment to improve our own processes. I know what you are thinking… just how many times can she say “assessment” in one blog. 

Step 2: Conducting a SWOT Analysis

Now for the fun part—breaking it all down into four simple categories:

• Strengths: What’s Working? 
  • Strong leadership support (because a solid team at the top makes a difference!)
  • Engaged stakeholders (when people actually care, things get done!)
• Weaknesses: Where Are the Roadblocks? 
  • Inconsistent implementation (great ideas, iffy execution)
  • Resource constraints (too much to do, not enough time or staff)
• Opportunities: The Game-Changers 
  • Professional development (better training = better results)
  • Technology integration (hello, automation!)
• Threats: What Could Derail Progress? 
  • Changing accreditation standards (they keep moving the goalposts!)
  • Resistance to change ("We’ve always done it this way!")

Step 3: Turning Insights into Action

Once you’ve got your SWOT mapped out, it’s time to act. Start by leveraging your strengths to improve weaker areas. Within the first 1-3 months, focus on:

• Reinforcing leadership commitment through policies and better communication
• Standardizing assessment reporting 
• Showcasing assessment wins to get stakeholders excited
• Expanding data-driven decision-making across the board
• Maintaining accreditation readiness through smarter documentation

Success Indicators: More leadership involvement, standardized reporting, and increased faculty participation.

Step 4: Tackling (Most Institutions') #1 Weakness – Faculty Buy-In 

If your faculty members love assessment please call me - I need to know your secrets. But really, the biggest challenge for most institutions? Getting faculty on board. Here’s some quick thoughts at how to address that:

• Make It Relevant – Show how assessment data helps instructors improve student outcomes.
• Keep It Simple – Streamline processes so assessment doesn’t feel like extra work.
• Show the Value – Give real-life examples of how assessment has driven change.
• Encourage Ownership – Let faculty lead the charge in their departments.
• Provide Training – Support faculty with professional development sessions.

A SWOT analysis might seem like just another check the box activity but when reexamined it’s a way to level up your institution’s assessment process. By identifying what’s working, what needs fixing, and where opportunities lie, you can build a stronger, data-driven culture of assessment.  When assessment is done right, it’s no longer like herding cats. It’s a lot more like herding sheep—still a bit of guidance is needed, but everyone’s moving in the right direction.