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Criterion
Paper illustration for TOWS Matrix.
Business Strategy
TOWS Matrix
Paper illustration of a calibrated five-by-five risk matrix with response cards.
Decision Making
Risk Matrix
Gap Analysis method illustration showing its working structure
Business Strategy
GAP Analysis
Paper illustration of an assumption matrix with prioritized test cards
Decision Making
Assumption Surfacing
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.When a project faces many possible disruptions, it quickly becomes unclear which risks deserve attention first. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Risk Matrix and a Top Risk List.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.Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowMediumLow
Timedifferent
1-2 h30-60 min1-3 h45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
3-103-102-82-8
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
TOWS Matrix, Strategic Options, Priority ActionsRisk Matrix, Top Risk ListGap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk NotesAssumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning Plan
Tagsno overlap
StrategyAnalysisOptions
RiskDecisionPrioritizationAssessment
StrategyAnalysisPlanning
AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery
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