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| Criterion |  Business Strategy TOWS Matrix |  Business Strategy Porter Five Forces |  Business Strategy GAP Analysis |  Business Strategy SWOT Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The TOWS Matrix connects internal strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats into action-oriented strategies. It goes a step further than a pure stocktaking. | Porter Five Forces analyzes the forces that shape competitive pressure and profitability in a market. The view of market structure goes beyond individual competitors and reveals systemic pressure points. | GAP Analysis compares the current state with a target picture and makes the distance manageable. It becomes useful when, ahead of new initiatives, it must become clear which capabilities, processes, or resources are missing. | SWOT Analysis arranges strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats into a compact picture of the situation. It keeps internal capabilities and external influences separate before strategic options emerge from them. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-2 h | 1-3 h | 1-3 h | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 2-8 | 2-8 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | TOWS Matrix, Strategic Options, Priority Actions | Five Forces Analysis, Competitive Risks, Strategic Options | Gap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes | SWOT matrix, Strategic options, Action list |
Tags1 shared | StrategyAnalysisOptions | StrategyCompetitionMarket | StrategyAnalysisPlanning | StrategyAnalysisMarketPositioning |