Personal SWOB Assessment

A versatile workshop for personal assessment and action planning, in which participants use the SWOB model (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Barriers) to assess themselves, reflect upon key areas for development and create a concise action plan. It includes an interactive component, in which participants work in small groups coaching each other to make their action plans as clear and achievable as possible.

Time frame
60-120min
Group size
2-40+
Facilitiation lvl
medium
How experience one should have to lead this exercise
Comfort zone
medium
How stressful or challenging this exercise can be for the group
Materials
Post-its Markers Paper

Step 1:
Participants do a “SWOB” analysis on themselves, identifying their main Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Barriers that might stand in the way of strengthening weaknesses or seizing opportunities.

This first step is done individually, around 20 mins. Participants should try to write down as much as possible.
Step 2:
Based on the SWOB analysis, participants reflect on the question: What are the development areas that I would like to focus on? If doing this exercise in the context of a program or course, ask participants to also think about: Why did I apply to this course? What do I hope to get out of this experience?

Participants identify 3-5 development areas each. Working individually, they make notes based on questions such as:
- On a scale from 1 to 10, where would I rate myself today in this area?
- On a scale from 1 to 10 where I would I like to be in 1 month / 3 months / 6 months?
- What actions can I take to harness opportunities in order to accelerate my development?
- What actions can I take to overcome barriers in order to accelerate my development?
- What will be my key actions in the short term (next two weeks)?
- What will be my key actions in the medium-term (next two months)?
- What will be my success criteria for development? What signs will show me that I’m developing?
Participants complete this step individually for about 45 mins.
Step 3:
Participants get together in groups of three and share their development reflections with each other. Participants in the small groups support each other by asking open questions to help make each development wheel as clear, valuable and doable as possible, and that the challenges are the right level, etc.

Based on what each participant shares and how the conversations goes, the group may also come up with an additional area for the participant to develop – something else that they see/think/feel could be valuable for this person.

Groups of three, around 40 minutes per person including questions and feedback for the others.
Step 4:
Close the session with a check-out, in which participants share impressions, thoughts and feelings that they leave with.

Staff picks

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IDOARRT Meeting Design

IDOARRT is a simple tool to support you to lead an effective meeting or group process by setting out clear purpose, structure and goals at the very beginning. It aims to enable all participants to understand every aspect of the meeting or process, which creates the security of a common ground to start from. The acronym stands for Intention, Desired Outcome, Agenda, Rules, Roles and Responsibilities and Time.

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Stinky Fish

A short activity to run early in a program, focused on sharing fears, anxieties and uncertainties related to the program theme. The purpose is to create openness within a group. The stinky fish is a metaphor for "that thing that you carry around but don’t like to talk about; but the longer you hide it, the stinkier it gets." By putting stinky fish (fears and anxieties) on the table, participants begin relate to each other, become more comfortable sharing, and identify a clear area for development and learning.

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Crocodile River

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This exercise is useful for bringing groups together, to create interpersonal bonds, and to build trust. Participants stand opposite each other and have 30 seconds to give appreciative feedback to the other person. The group rotates until everyone has given feedback to everyone else. It is often used as part of wrap-up activities, to create an energized feeling to leave with.

Methods & Tools curated by Hyper Island

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Personal SWOB Assessment

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Staff picks

Apple-Drawing Ideation

IDOARRT Meeting Design

Stinky Fish

Crocodile River

Action Plan Workshop: The Arrow

Appreciation Train

I want to know more about using these tools and the Hyper Island methods.

Personal SWOB Assessment

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Sources and Related

Share

Staff picks

Apple-Drawing Ideation

IDOARRT Meeting Design

Stinky Fish

Crocodile River

Action Plan Workshop: The Arrow

Appreciation Train

I want to know more about using these tools and the Hyper Island methods.