SOAR analysis is a strategic planning technique that helps organizations focus on their current strengths and opportunities and create a vision of future aspirations and results. In this post, you’ll learn about the four components of SOAR and be able to download a printable worksheet / digital form.
There are four components to a SOAR analysis: strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results. SOAR is often used interchangeably with a SWOT analysis. However, I find SOAR a more positive approach and generally more useful for non-profit and educational institutions and personal use.
Use the SOAR approach to help you brainstorm and begin to focus ideas towards a unifying vision of what you want to do and accomplish. It is a great option for teams, or to use on your own. As an exercise, you brainstorm each of the four components, using the guiding questions.
If you are facilitating a SOAR exercise in person or in a team environment, I recommend using post-its and chart paper. You can label four pieces of chart paper, or four parts of a white board with each of the components. Give everyone a stack of sticky notes and a sharpie. You want everyone contributing ideas! You can simulate this in a digital environment using a tool like Jamboard, Padlet, or even Google Slides. (For ideas on best practices in virtual learning, check out this webinar and set of resources.)
After doing this analysis, the next step would be to create SMARTIE goals.
Guiding questions for a SOAR Analysis
Strengths
- What are we most proud of as an organization?
- What makes us unique?
- What strengths can we build on?
Opportunities
- What are the opportunities for growth, expansion, pivoting, and/or impact?
- What are the opportunities in our community, region, or service-area?
Aspirations
- What do we deeply care about?
- What are our most compelling ideas?
- What strengths do we want to add?
Results
- What would success look like?
- What meaningful measures would indicate that we are on track?
- What do our leaders, funders, board expect?
Download this resource as a printable PDF and digital worksheet.
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