This document provides a SWOT template to help analyze the context of a client project as part of the BUILDTM framework. The SWOT analysis should consider both internal and external factors related to the entire life-cycle of the project. The objectives of this analysis are to act in the client's best interests, obtain the right information, clarify the client's perspectives and criteria for success, ensure consistent information across the project team, and focus on what is most critical for the client. The template then lists examples of factors to consider for the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the project.

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SWOT Template to Refine Client Brief
BUILD™ is a framework to ensure you act in the best interests of your clients. The key purpose of
analysing the context for the project is to get all relevant information to help you agree an appropriate
strategy for protecting those interests. This checklist is used in the Briefing stage of BUILD™.
Overview
The SWOT analysis should relate to the whole life-cycle of the project and covers issues internal to the
project strategy (SW) and external (OT). For further information see the business balls website.
Objectives
The objectives of this stage in the process, with which this template is intended to assist, are:
 to act in your client’s best interests;
 to obtain the right information at the right time;
 to clarify your client’s perspective(s) and criteria for success;
 to ensure consistent information across the project team;
 to focus on what’s critical for your client.
S Strengths
Does it meet client priorities? Is it tested or approved? Does it meet best practice
guidelines? What is the client’s previous experience/knowledge? Is there a synergy with
client business needs? Is it an effective use of resources, assets, and team?
W Weaknesses
Is it innovative or untested? Does the client have doubts or the project have vulnerabilities?
Was the strategy included in ITT? What are the time, cost, and quality issues? Are the
systems/processes reliable?
O Opportunities
Is it acceptable to stakeholders? What is the impact of market changes? Does the strategy
cover the life-cycle of project? What is the insurance or risk transfer situation? Is there wide
public support? Does it meet government strategies?
T Threats
What is the potential for disputes? Is there a lack of support by project team? What about
changes to PESTLE aspects? Is there competition? What is the likely impact of risk events?
Are there other obstacles to success?

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Sarah Fox of 500 Words Ltd developed this checklist. She is a speaker and trainer who helps you write simpler contracts and understand complex ones. She is also author
of the 500-Word Contract™. To find out how Sarah can help you, send her an email sarah@500words.co.uk or her mobile: 07767 342747.
BUILD™
Begin with the Brief
A successful project requires great foundations
S Strengths
current advantages/assets to use
meet’s high % of client priorities
tested or approved
meets best practice guidelines
previous experience/knowledge
synergy with client business needs
effective use of resources, assets, team
Weaknesses
current challenges to note
does not meet all client priorities
innovative or untested
doubts or vulnerabilities
not included in ITT
time, cost, quality issues
reliability of systems/processes
W
O Opportunities
future advantages/assets to grasp
acceptable to stakeholders
market changes
covers life-cycle of project
insurance or risk transfer
wider public support
meets government strategies
Threats
future challenges to mitigate
disputes
lack of support by project team
PESTLE changes
competition
risk events
other obstacles
T