U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
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Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B)
In late October 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel of primary care experts, was preparing to release their updated guidelines for the use of screening mammograms, which were given to women in an attempt to detect evidence of breast cancer at a treatable stage. The new guidelines, based on rigorous scientific research and tests, now recommended routine screening starting at age 50 rather than at age 40. The challenge the USPSTF faced was that this shift in the recommended starting age was likely to spark significant debate among medical professionals and in the press.
Authors :: Gregory S. Zaric, Michael Sider, Ken Mark
Swot Analysis of "U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B)" written by Gregory S. Zaric, Michael Sider, Ken Mark includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Screening Uspstf facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Communication and Strategy & Execution.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) casestudy better are - – wage bills are increasing, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, technology disruption, increasing transportation and logistics costs, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, increasing commodity prices, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies,
supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B)
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Screening Uspstf, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Screening Uspstf 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 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Screening Uspstf
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 Screening Uspstf
Strengths U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Screening Uspstf in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) Harvard Business Review case study are -
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Screening Uspstf 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 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Screening Uspstf 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.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Screening Uspstf is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Ability to lead change in Strategy & Execution field
– Screening Uspstf is one of the leading players in its industry. Over the years it has not only transformed the business landscape in its segment but also across the whole industry. The ability to lead change has enabled Screening Uspstf in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Analytics focus
– Screening Uspstf 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 Gregory S. Zaric, Michael Sider, Ken Mark 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.
High brand equity
– Screening Uspstf has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Screening Uspstf to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Screening Uspstf has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Screening Uspstf 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.
Learning organization
- Screening Uspstf is a learning organization. It has inculcated three key characters of learning organization in its processes and operations – exploration, creativity, and expansiveness. The work place at Screening Uspstf is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Screening Uspstf has highly efficient outsourcing and offshoring strategy. It has resulted in greater operational flexibility and bringing down the costs in highly price sensitive segment. Secondly the value chain collaborators of the firm in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Digital Transformation in Strategy & Execution segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Screening Uspstf digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Screening Uspstf has successfully integrated the four key components of digital transformation – digital integration in processes, digital integration in marketing and customer relationship management, digital integration into the value chain, and using technology to explore new products and market opportunities.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Screening Uspstf in the sector have low bargaining power. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Screening Uspstf to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Strategy & Execution industry
– U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Screening Uspstf to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Screening Uspstf to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Weaknesses U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) are -
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Screening Uspstf has not been able to do capital spending to the tune of the competition. This has resulted into fewer innovations and company facing stiff competition from both existing competitors and new entrants who are disrupting the industry using digital technology.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B), is just above the industry average. Screening Uspstf 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.
High dependence on existing supply chain
– The disruption in the global supply chains because of the Covid-19 pandemic and blockage of the Suez Canal illustrated the fragile nature of Screening Uspstf supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B), it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Screening Uspstf vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Screening Uspstf is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B), it seems that the employees of Screening Uspstf don’t have comprehensive understanding of the firm’s strategy. This is reflected in number of promotional campaigns over the last few years that had mixed messaging and competing priorities. Some of the strategic activities and services promoted in the promotional campaigns were not consistent with the organization’s strategy.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Screening Uspstf has borrowed money from the capital market at higher rates. It needs to restructure the interest payment and costs so that it can compete better and improve profitability.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Screening Uspstf has a high cash cycle compare to other players in the industry. It needs to shorten the cash cycle by 12% to be more competitive in the marketplace, reduce inventory costs, and be more profitable.
Lack of clear differentiation of Screening Uspstf products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Screening Uspstf needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Screening Uspstf has some of the most successful products in the industry, this business model has made each new product launch extremely critical for continuous financial growth of the organization. firm in the HBR case study - U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Gregory S. Zaric, Michael Sider, Ken Mark suggests that, Screening Uspstf is facing high bargaining power of the channel partners. So far it has not able to streamline the operations to reduce the bargaining power of the value chain partners in the industry.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B), in the dynamic environment Screening Uspstf has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Screening Uspstf has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
Opportunities U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) | 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 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) are -
Leveraging digital technologies
– Screening Uspstf can leverage digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate the production process, customer analytics to get better insights into consumer behavior, realtime digital dashboards to get better sales tracking, logistics and transportation, product tracking, etc.
Developing new processes and practices
– Screening Uspstf 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.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Screening Uspstf to expand its talent hiring zone. According to McKinsey Global Institute, 20% of the high end workforce in fields such as finance, information technology, can continously work from remote local post Covid-19. This presents a really great opportunity for Screening Uspstf to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Screening Uspstf 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, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B), to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Screening Uspstf can make experimentation a productive activity and build a culture of innovation using approaches such as – mining transaction data, A/B testing of websites and selling platforms, engaging potential customers over various needs, and building on small ideas in the Strategy & Execution segment.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Screening Uspstf has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Screening Uspstf to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) case study. Screening Uspstf can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Buying journey improvements
– Screening Uspstf can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) suggest that firm can provide automated chats to help consumers solve their own problems, provide online suggestions to get maximum out of the products and services, and help consumers to build a community where they can interact with each other to develop new features and uses.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Screening Uspstf can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Screening Uspstf operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Strategy & Execution sector.
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. Screening Uspstf can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Screening Uspstf to increase its market reach. Screening Uspstf will be able to reach out to new customers. Secondly 5G will also provide technology framework to build new tools and products that can help more immersive consumer experience and faster consumer journey.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Strategy & Execution industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Screening Uspstf can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Use of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies for transactions
– The popularity of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies as asset class and medium of transaction has opened new opportunities for Screening Uspstf in the consumer business. Now Screening Uspstf can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Screening Uspstf can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Threats U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) are -
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. Screening Uspstf needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Strategy & Execution industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Technology disruption because of hacks, piracy etc
– The colonial pipeline illustrated, how vulnerable modern organization are to international hackers, miscreants, and disruptors. The cyber security interruption, data leaks, etc can seriously jeopardize the future growth of the organization.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Screening Uspstf with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Environmental challenges
– Screening Uspstf 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. Screening Uspstf can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry.
Instability in the European markets
– European Union markets are facing three big challenges post Covid – expanded balance sheets, Brexit related business disruption, and aggressive Russia looking to distract the existing security mechanism. Screening Uspstf will face different problems in different parts of Europe. For example it will face inflationary pressures in UK, France, and Germany, balance sheet expansion and demand challenges in Southern European countries, and geopolitical instability in the Eastern Europe.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Screening Uspstf 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.
New competition
– After the dotcom bust of 2001, financial crisis of 2008-09, the business formation in US economy had declined. But in 2020 alone, there are more than 1.5 million new business applications in United States. This can lead to greater competition for Screening Uspstf in the Strategy & Execution sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
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. Screening Uspstf can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Backlash against dominant players
– US Congress and other legislative arms of the government are getting tough on big business especially technology companies. The digital arm of Screening Uspstf business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
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.
Increasing wage structure of Screening Uspstf
– 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 Screening Uspstf.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Screening Uspstf 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.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Screening Uspstf can face lack of demand in the market place because of Fed actions to reduce inflation. This can lead to sluggish growth in the economy, lower demands, lower investments, higher borrowing costs, and consolidation in the field.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) 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 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) 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 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) 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 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) 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 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Releasing New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening (B) 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 Screening Uspstf needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
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