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Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution

Case Study Description of Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo'


After the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, President George W. Bush launched a military offensive in Afghanistan, which led to the capture of Al Qaeda operatives thought to be behind the attacks. Top US officials debated how to extract crucial information from them about Al Qaeda's future plans. The Central Intelligence Agency wanted to apply aggressive interrogation methods, which it argued were necessary to convince detainees to reveal what they knew. But CIA officials worried such techniques might violate both international treaties banning torture and "cruel, inhuman or degrading" treatment of prisoners of war and detainees and, more consequentially, the domestic laws that enforced them. To protect its agents, the CIA sought a clear statement from the Bush Administration on how far agents could go in efforts to force detainees to talk. These cases tell the story of OLC's legal findings and their consequences. Part A (1853.0)describes a series of OLC memoranda on the treatment of detainees in the "war on terror," culminating in an August 2002 opinion that became known as the "torture memo," which narrowly interpreted the legal meaning of torture but took a broad view of presidential wartime powers under the Constitution. Part A ends as Assistant Attorney General and OLC head Jay Bybee must decide whether to sign the opinion. Part B (1854.0) tracks the results of the torture memo, tracing the use of interrogation techniques it sanctioned from CIA detention centers overseas to the naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In the view of some, these harsher techniques eventually "migrated" to Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, where abusive treatment of detainees became an international embarrassment for the US. HKS Case Number 1854.0

Authors :: Esther Scott, Philip Heymann

Topics :: Strategy & Execution

Tags :: Leadership, Operations management, Regulation, Security & privacy, Social responsibility, SWOT Analysis, SWOT Matrix, TOWS, Weighted SWOT Analysis

Swot Analysis of "Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo'" written by Esther Scott, Philip Heymann includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Torture Detainees facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Leadership, Operations management, Regulation, Security & privacy, Social responsibility and Strategy & Execution.


Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' casestudy better are - – geopolitical disruptions, increasing commodity prices, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, there is backlash against globalization, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, increasing transportation and logistics costs, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, etc



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Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo'


SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Torture Detainees, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Torture Detainees operates in.

According to Harvard Business Review, 75% of the managers use SWOT analysis for various purposes such as – evaluating current scenario, strategic planning, new venture feasibility, personal growth goals, new market entry, Go To market strategies, portfolio management and strategic trade-off assessment, organizational restructuring, etc.




SWOT Objectives / Importance of SWOT Analysis and SWOT Matrix


SWOT analysis of Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Torture Detainees
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Strategy & Execution field.
4. Making a Strategy & Execution topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Torture Detainees




Strengths Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The strengths of Torture Detainees in Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' Harvard Business Review case study are -

High switching costs

– The high switching costs that Torture Detainees has built up over years in its products and services combo offer has resulted in high retention of customers, lower marketing costs, and greater ability of the firm to focus on its customers.

Successful track record of launching new products

– Torture Detainees has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Torture Detainees has effective processes in place that helps in exploring new product needs, doing quick pilot testing, and then launching the products quickly using its extensive distribution network.

Diverse revenue streams

– Torture Detainees is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' case study a diverse revenue stream that has helped it to survive disruptions such as global pandemic in Covid-19, financial disruption of 2008, and supply chain disruption of 2021.

Ability to recruit top talent

– Torture Detainees is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.

Organizational Resilience of Torture Detainees

– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Torture Detainees does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.

Cross disciplinary teams

– Horizontal connected teams at the Torture Detainees are driving operational speed, building greater agility, and keeping the organization nimble to compete with new competitors. It helps are organization to ideate new ideas, and execute them swiftly in the marketplace.

Analytics focus

– Torture Detainees is putting a lot of focus on utilizing the power of analytics in business decision making. This has put it among the leading players in the industry. The technology infrastructure suggested by Esther Scott, Philip Heymann can also help it to harness the power of analytics for – marketing optimization, demand forecasting, customer relationship management, inventory management, information sharing across the value chain etc.

Low bargaining power of suppliers

– Suppliers of Torture Detainees in the sector have low bargaining power. Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Torture Detainees to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.

High brand equity

– Torture Detainees has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Torture Detainees to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.

Effective Research and Development (R&D)

– Torture Detainees has innovation driven culture where significant part of the revenues are spent on the research and development activities. This has resulted in, as mentioned in case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.

Training and development

– Torture Detainees has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' Harvard Business Review case study by analyzing – employees retention, in-house promotion, loyalty, new venture initiation, lack of conflict, and high level of both employees and customer engagement.

Sustainable margins compare to other players in Strategy & Execution industry

– Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Torture Detainees to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Torture Detainees to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.






Weaknesses Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The weaknesses of Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' are -

Aligning sales with marketing

– It come across in the case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' that the firm needs to have more collaboration between its sales team and marketing team. Sales professionals in the industry have deep experience in developing customer relationships. Marketing department in the case Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Torture Detainees is planning to shift buying processes online.

High operating costs

– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' has high operating costs in the. This can be harder to sustain given the new emerging competition from nimble players who are using technology to attract Torture Detainees 's lucrative customers.

Increasing silos among functional specialists

– The organizational structure of Torture Detainees is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Strategy & Execution segment. Torture Detainees needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Torture Detainees to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.

Ability to respond to the competition

– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo', in the dynamic environment Torture Detainees has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Torture Detainees has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.

Slow decision making process

– As mentioned earlier in the report, Torture Detainees has a very deliberative decision making approach. This approach has resulted in prudent decisions, but it has also resulted in missing opportunities in the industry over the last five years. Torture Detainees even though has strong showing on digital transformation primary two stages, it has struggled to capitalize the power of digital transformation in marketing efforts and new venture efforts.

No frontier risks strategy

– After analyzing the HBR case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo', it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Strategy & Execution strategy. But it has very little resources allocation to manage the risks emerging from events such as natural disasters, climate change, melting of permafrost, tacking the rise of artificial intelligence, opportunities and threats emerging from commercialization of space etc.

Compensation and incentives

– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo', is just above the industry average. Torture Detainees needs to redesign the compensation structure and incentives to increase the revenue per employees. Some of the steps that it can take are – hiring more specialists on project basis, etc.

Low market penetration in new markets

– Outside its home market of Torture Detainees, firm in the HBR case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.

Lack of clear differentiation of Torture Detainees products

– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Torture Detainees needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.

Slow to harness new channels of communication

– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Torture Detainees is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.

Need for greater diversity

– Torture Detainees has taken concrete steps on diversity, equity, and inclusion. But the efforts so far has resulted in limited success. It needs to expand the recruitment and selection process to hire more people from the minorities and underprivileged background.




Opportunities Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' | External Strategic Factors
What are Opportunities in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis


The opportunities highlighted in the Harvard Business Review case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' are -

Manufacturing automation

– Torture Detainees can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Strategy & Execution segment. It can use CAD and 3D printing to build a quick prototype and pilot testing products. It can leverage automation using machine learning and artificial intelligence to do faster production at lowers costs, and it can leverage the growth in satellite and tracking technologies to improve inventory management, transportation, and shipping.

Increase in government spending

– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Torture Detainees can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Torture Detainees operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Strategy & Execution sector.

Using analytics as competitive advantage

– Torture Detainees has spent a significant amount of money and effort to integrate analytics and machine learning into its operations in the sector. This continuous investment in analytics has enabled, as illustrated in the Harvard case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Torture Detainees to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.

Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains

– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Torture Detainees can build a diversified supply chain model across various countries in - South East Asia, India, and other parts of the world. This reconfiguration of global supply chain can help, as suggested in case study, Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo', to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.

Reforming the budgeting process

- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Torture Detainees can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.

Low interest rates

– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Torture Detainees can still utilize the low interest rates to borrow money for capital investment. Secondly it can also use the increase of government spending in infrastructure projects to get new business.

Creating value in data economy

– The success of analytics program of Torture Detainees has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Torture Detainees to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' case study. Torture Detainees can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.

Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19

– Consumer behavior has changed in the Strategy & Execution industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Torture Detainees can take advantage of these changes in consumer behavior to build a far more efficient business model. For example consumer regular ordering of products can reduce both last mile delivery costs and market penetration costs. Torture Detainees can further use this consumer data to build better customer loyalty, provide better products and service collection, and improve the value proposition in inflationary times.

Learning at scale

– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Torture Detainees to conduct training and development for its employees across the world. This will result in not only reducing the cost of training but also help employees in different part of the world to integrate with the headquarter work culture, ethos, and standards.

Identify volunteer opportunities

– Covid-19 has impacted working population in two ways – it has led to people soul searching about their professional choices, resulting in mass resignation. Secondly it has encouraged people to do things that they are passionate about. This has opened opportunities for businesses to build volunteer oriented socially driven projects. Torture Detainees can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.

Reconfiguring business model

– The expansion of digital payment system, the bringing down of international transactions costs using Bitcoin and other blockchain based currencies, etc can help Torture Detainees to reconfigure its entire business model. For example it can used blockchain based technologies to reduce piracy of its products in the big markets such as China. Secondly it can use the popularity of e-commerce in various developing markets to build a Direct to Customer business model rather than the current Channel Heavy distribution network.

Developing new processes and practices

– Torture Detainees can develop new processes and procedures in Strategy & Execution industry using technology such as automation using artificial intelligence, real time transportation and products tracking, 3D modeling for concept development and new products pilot testing etc.

Lowering marketing communication costs

– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Torture Detainees in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Strategy & Execution segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.




Threats Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis


The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' are -

Shortening product life cycle

– it is one of the major threat that Torture Detainees is facing in Strategy & Execution sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.

Consumer confidence and its impact on Torture Detainees demand

– There is a high probability of declining consumer confidence, given – high inflammation rate, rise of gig economy, lower job stability, increasing cost of living, higher interest rates, and aging demography. All the factors contribute to people saving higher rate of their income, resulting in lower consumer demand in the industry and other sectors.

Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins

– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Torture Detainees can face downward pressure on margins from increasing competition from international players. The international players have stable revenue in their home market and can use those resources to penetrate prominent markets illustrated in HBR case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' .

Aging population

– As the populations of most advanced economies are aging, it will lead to high social security costs, higher savings among population, and lower demand for goods and services in the economy. The household savings in US, France, UK, Germany, and Japan are growing faster than predicted because of uncertainty caused by pandemic.

Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution

– Torture Detainees has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Strategy & Execution industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Torture Detainees needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Strategy & Execution sector. According to Mckinsey study top managers believe that the adoption of technology in operations, communications is 20-25 times faster than what they planned in the beginning of 2019.

Barriers of entry lowering

– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Torture Detainees with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.

Trade war between China and United States

– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Torture Detainees in the Strategy & Execution industry. The Strategy & Execution industry is already at various protected from local competition in China, with the rise of trade war the protection levels may go up. This presents a clear threat of current business model in Chinese market.

Regulatory challenges

– Torture Detainees needs to prepare for regulatory challenges as consumer protection groups and other pressure groups are vigorously advocating for more regulations on big business - to reduce inequality, to create a level playing field, to product data privacy and consumer privacy, to reduce the influence of big money on democratic institutions, etc. This can lead to significant changes in the Strategy & Execution industry regulations.

Easy access to finance

– Easy access to finance in Strategy & Execution field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Torture Detainees can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.

Increasing wage structure of Torture Detainees

– Post Covid-19 there is a sharp increase in the wages especially in the jobs that require interaction with people. The increasing wages can put downward pressure on the margins of Torture Detainees.

High level of anxiety and lack of motivation

– the Great Resignation in United States is the sign of broader dissatisfaction among the workforce in United States. Torture Detainees needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Strategy & Execution industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.

Environmental challenges

– Torture Detainees needs to have a robust strategy against the disruptions arising from climate change and energy requirements. EU has identified it as key priority area and spending 30% of its 880 billion Euros European post Covid-19 recovery funds on green technology. Torture Detainees can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry.

High dependence on third party suppliers

– Torture Detainees high dependence on third party suppliers can disrupt its processes and delivery mechanism. For example -the current troubles of car makers because of chip shortage is because the chip companies started producing chips for electronic companies rather than car manufacturers.




Weighted SWOT Analysis of Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' Template, Example


Not all factors mentioned under the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats quadrants in the SWOT Analysis are equal. Managers in the HBR case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' needs to zero down on the relative importance of each factor mentioned in the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats quadrants. We can provide the relative importance to each factor by assigning relative weights. Weighted SWOT analysis process is a three stage process –

First stage for doing weighted SWOT analysis of the case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' is to rank the strengths and weaknesses of the organization. This will help you to assess the most important strengths and weaknesses of the firm and which one of the strengths and weaknesses mentioned in the initial lists are marginal and can be left out.

Second stage for conducting weighted SWOT analysis of the Harvard case study Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' is to give probabilities to the external strategic factors thus better understanding the opportunities and threats arising out of macro environment changes and developments.

Third stage of constructing weighted SWOT analysis of Defining Torture in the War on Terror (B): The Trail of the 'Torture Memo' is to provide strategic recommendations includes – joining likelihood of external strategic factors such as opportunities and threats to the internal strategic factors – strengths and weaknesses. You should start with external factors as they will provide the direction of the overall industry. Secondly by joining probabilities with internal strategic factors can help the company not only strategic fit but also the most probably strategic trade-off that Torture Detainees needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.



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