How To Grow As A Tester?
In the last article, I mentioned how to set goals.
In that article, in order to decide what goals to set, I mentioned to use SWOT analysis.
Today, I will go in details of how to do SWOT analysis.
This is very useful tool for analysis.
If you do with proper thinking, honesty and set goals, you should easily achieve what you want in personal or professional life.
Let’s dive in.
What Is SWOT Analysis ?
Let me introduce SWOT and what SWOT is:
SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that helps you identify yourself.
It is a tool to know where you are standing. By yourself.
You will know your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
How To Do SWOT Analysis
Performing SWOT analysis is a process.
It takes time. You have to invest time for thinking and documenting it.
Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1 : Self Reflection
Step 2 : Internal Analysis
Step 3 : External Analysis
Step 4 : Create SWOT Matrix
Step 5 : Prioritization & Plan
Step 6 : Implement
Step 7 : Review And Update
I will give some overview of these here.
And will give details in the upcoming articles.
Step 1 : Self Reflection
It is time to introspect.
Sit back.
Think about yourself. You can consider your personal, professional experiences , skills and characteristics etc.
You should be very prompt and sincere here.
Step 2 : Internal Analysis
In this step, you will make a note.
You make note about your strengths and weaknesses.
As I said, you should be sincere in this step as well.
In this step, you identify your stronger aspects and weaker areas.
You ask yourself, what are your competencies ? What do you excel at?
Then you will get your positive attributes, skills and achievements.
Similarly, ask yourself what skills/ knowledge do you lack? Where do you face personal challenges?
To these question, you will get your challenges and improvement areas.
Make note of these strengths and weaknesses.
Step 3 : External Analysis
Now you know about you !
Then, try to identify the environmental aspects impacting you.
You identify, analyze the external factors affecting you.
Those are: Opportunities and Threats.
Ask yourself, what trends or opportunities exist in your personal or professional environment?
You can those opportunities for you to learn and or grow.
Similarly, ask yourself: What external factors might affect your personal or professional life negatively?
You can know external factors that could pose challenges or risks to your growth.
Make note of these threats and opportunities.
Step 4 : Create SWOT Matrix
Organizing notes.
Now, in this step, you organize your findings into a four-quadrant matrix with Strengths and Weaknesses.
And Opportunities and Threats.
Here is an example matrix.
Step 5 : Prioritization & Plan
Next step is planning and prioritization.
You can prioritize the identified factors based on their impact or significance. This can be in your personal and professional life.
Based on your prioritized factors, develop strategies to leverage your strengths, address weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities, and mitigate threats.
Then is the plan.
Create a plan. Create a plan outlining specific steps and timelines for implementing the identified strategies.
Make sure your plan is realistic and achievable.
It should not be too optimistic and too pessimistic.
Step 6 : Implement
Time to act.
Implement those plans based on your priority.
If it is learning, complete the courses. Implement the learning in a project. It can be side project as well.
If you feel, you are lagging behind the time, accelerate.
Do not get de-motivated.
Acting on the plan is more important. Just planning is not sufficient.
Step 7 : Review And Update
Re-visit the SWOT diagram and plan.
Regularly review and update your self SWOT analysis. Because your circumstances change. This will help you adapt your strategies to evolving situations.
So, these are the seven steps for your self analysis and growth.
Please note that, you need to be honest with yourself.
If you have any doubts or need support, seek help. Ask your colleagues, friends or mentors. They should be happy to help.
Summary
By performing a self SWOT analysis, you gain valuable insights into your current state. Also areas for improvement. This self-awareness can guide your personal and professional development, helping you make informed decisions and achieve your goals.
If you need mentoring, please do call me.
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