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Nathan

Swotting Up

Daily Post

Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats – or SWOT, a neat acronym for prompting thoughts about plans, innovation and getting things done.

It’s not enough to simply look at the good points or strengths of an idea: what are the weaknesses? Are there other opportunities to explore? What potential threats can be foreseen?

 

I find that a good acronym is often useful when applied to radically different areas as well. Consider your examiners:

  • What strengths do you have when it comes to discussing your work with them?
  • How can you address any perceived weaknesses in your knowledge or understanding?
  • What opportunities can you find in going through the viva experience with them?
  • Do they pose any real threats to your viva success?

If you worry about your examiners, who they are, what they do and how they might be at your viva, then consider reflecting on the questions above to give yourself a little peace.

Remember your own strengths too because there must be a lot! Remember any weaknesses that you’ve worked past. Remember the opportunities that you’ve managed to fulfil. Remember that whatever threats you’ve faced, you are now close to finishing your PhD journey.

 

PS: I’ll be talking about examiners a lot at Viva Survivor, my live webinar on Thursday 5th December 2024. Check out full details at the link on what else you can expect there!

Nathan

SWOTting Up

Daily Post

SWOT is a neat thinking tool: rather than just throw ideas around to try to unpick a problem or situation it uses words to direct attention. As an acronym it stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. For example, if you had an idea for writing a book and wanted to analyse it you might think about the following:

  • Strengths: what resources do you have? What knowledge can you pass on?
  • Weaknesses: what will you struggle with in the writing? What is difficult to share?
  • Opportunities: can you use the same material for something else? What doors might it open?
  • Threats: why might this not work? Is there a potential downside by doing it?

I love tools based around framing words and SWOT is a really flexible tool. It works well for reviewing a PhD thesis during viva preparation too:

  • Strengths: what are the highlights of the thesis? What might others find valuable?
  • Weaknesses: what parts are difficult to explain? What are the limitations of what you’ve done?
  • Opportunities: how might you extend your work? What can you do now?
  • Threats: how might someone criticise what you’ve done? Are there any potential problems?

What else can you do to look at your thesis a little bit differently?