Which term describes a self-evaluation tool used to analyze internal and external factors affecting practice?

Which term describes a self-evaluation tool used to analyze internal and external factors affecting practice?

• A. SWOT analysis
• B. PEST analysis
• C. Balanced scorecard
• D. Root cause analysis

Answer: (A)

This question targets a self-evaluation approach that looks at both internal capabilities and external factors influencing a practice. The best answer is SWOT analysis because it specifically inventories internal strengths and weaknesses along with external opportunities and threats, giving a holistic snapshot that informs strategic planning and decision-making. In practice, you use it to identify where you excel, where you need improvement, and what external opportunities to pursue or threats to mitigate. The other tools don’t match: PEST analysis examines only external macro-environmental factors (political, economic, social, technological) and doesn’t assess internal strengths or weaknesses. The balanced scorecard focuses on measuring performance across four perspectives to track strategy execution, not a broad situational analysis. Root cause analysis aims to pinpoint underlying causes of a specific problem rather than provide a broad internal/external scan. So SWOT provides the comprehensive internal/external view needed for evaluating a practice.

This question targets a self-evaluation approach that looks at both internal capabilities and external factors influencing a practice. The best answer is SWOT analysis because it specifically inventories internal strengths and weaknesses along with external opportunities and threats, giving a holistic snapshot that informs strategic planning and decision-making. In practice, you use it to identify where you excel, where you need improvement, and what external opportunities to pursue or threats to mitigate. The other tools don’t match: PEST analysis examines only external macro-environmental factors (political, economic, social, technological) and doesn’t assess internal strengths or weaknesses. The balanced scorecard focuses on measuring performance across four perspectives to track strategy execution, not a broad situational analysis. Root cause analysis aims to pinpoint underlying causes of a specific problem rather than provide a broad internal/external scan. So SWOT provides the comprehensive internal/external view needed for evaluating a practice.