Biodesign for the Underserved SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Strategy & Execution
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Biodesign for the Underserved
As director of the California HealthCare Foundation's (CHCF) Innovations for the Underserved program, Margaret Laws' goal was "to reduce barriers to efficient, affordable healthcare services for the underserved." The path to achieving this goal took multiple forms, including improving the availability of specialty care for low-income, uninsured, non-English speaking and rural Californians. Specialty care was an incredibly constrained resource within the healthcare system, even for insured patients. In order to improve access, increasing specialist throughput became paramount; and this could often be achieved through process improvements. But in conversations with faculty from Stanford University's Program in Biodesign (henceforth referred to as Biodesign), Laws became intrigued by the potential of new device technologies to improve throughput and increase capacity. The question was whether the biodesign innovation process taught at Stanford to develop devices for commercially attractive markets could be adapted to focus on the needs of the underserved, and particularly needs related to limited access to specialists. In order to answer that, the faculty from the Biodesign program and CHCF launched a pilot program that would undertake a condensed version of the identification phase of the biodesign innovation process, which included needs finding and needs filtering. This paper explores that project and what was learned.
Authors :: Stefanos Zenios, Nathan T. Blair, Lyn Denend
Swot Analysis of "Biodesign for the Underserved" written by Stefanos Zenios, Nathan T. Blair, Lyn Denend includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Biodesign Underserved facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Biodesign for the Underserved case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Personnel policies and Strategy & Execution.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Biodesign for the Underserved casestudy better are - – geopolitical disruptions, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, increasing transportation and logistics costs, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , increasing energy prices,
banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Biodesign for the Underserved
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Biodesign for the Underserved case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Biodesign Underserved, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Biodesign Underserved 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 Biodesign for the Underserved can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Biodesign for the Underserved case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Biodesign Underserved
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 Biodesign Underserved
Strengths Biodesign for the Underserved | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Biodesign Underserved in Biodesign for the Underserved Harvard Business Review case study are -
Diverse revenue streams
– Biodesign Underserved is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Biodesign for the Underserved 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.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Biodesign Underserved 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 Biodesign for the Underserved - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Biodesign Underserved in the sector have low bargaining power. Biodesign for the Underserved has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Biodesign Underserved to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
High brand equity
– Biodesign Underserved has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Biodesign Underserved to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Biodesign Underserved 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 Biodesign for the Underserved HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Biodesign Underserved is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Biodesign for the Underserved are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Innovation driven organization
– Biodesign Underserved is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Biodesign for the Underserved Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Strong track record of project management
– Biodesign Underserved is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Biodesign Underserved has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Biodesign Underserved 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.
Training and development
– Biodesign Underserved has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Biodesign for the Underserved 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.
Analytics focus
– Biodesign Underserved 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 Stefanos Zenios, Nathan T. Blair, Lyn Denend 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.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Biodesign Underserved 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.
Weaknesses Biodesign for the Underserved | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Biodesign for the Underserved are -
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Biodesign for the Underserved, 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.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Biodesign Underserved, firm in the HBR case study Biodesign for the Underserved needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Biodesign Underserved 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 - Biodesign for the Underserved should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Biodesign for the Underserved, in the dynamic environment Biodesign Underserved has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Biodesign Underserved has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
Lack of clear differentiation of Biodesign Underserved products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Biodesign Underserved needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Biodesign for the Underserved 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 Biodesign for the Underserved can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Biodesign Underserved is planning to shift buying processes online.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Biodesign for the Underserved, it seems that the employees of Biodesign Underserved 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.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Biodesign Underserved 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.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Biodesign Underserved is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Strategy & Execution segment. Biodesign Underserved needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Biodesign Underserved to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Biodesign Underserved 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. Biodesign Underserved 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.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Stefanos Zenios, Nathan T. Blair, Lyn Denend suggests that, Biodesign Underserved 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.
Opportunities Biodesign for the Underserved | 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 Biodesign for the Underserved are -
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Biodesign Underserved has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Biodesign Underserved to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Biodesign for the Underserved case study. Biodesign Underserved can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Biodesign Underserved 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, Biodesign for the Underserved, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Biodesign Underserved is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Biodesign for the Underserved case study suggests that firm can utilize new technology to build more coordinated teams and streamline operations and communications using tools such as CAD, Zoom, etc.
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. Biodesign Underserved can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Developing new processes and practices
– Biodesign Underserved 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.
Buying journey improvements
– Biodesign Underserved can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Biodesign for the Underserved 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.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Biodesign Underserved 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 Biodesign for the Underserved - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Biodesign Underserved to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Biodesign Underserved 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.
Manufacturing automation
– Biodesign Underserved 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.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Biodesign Underserved to increase its market reach. Biodesign Underserved 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.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Biodesign Underserved 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.
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 Biodesign Underserved in the consumer business. Now Biodesign Underserved can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Biodesign Underserved can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Biodesign Underserved operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Strategy & Execution sector.
Threats Biodesign for the Underserved External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Biodesign for the Underserved are -
Environmental challenges
– Biodesign Underserved 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. Biodesign Underserved can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry.
Capital market disruption
– During the Covid-19, Dow Jones has touched record high. The valuations of a number of companies are way beyond their existing business model potential. This can lead to capital market correction which can put a number of suppliers, collaborators, value chain partners in great financial difficulty. It will directly impact the business of Biodesign Underserved.
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. Biodesign Underserved needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Strategy & Execution industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Biodesign Underserved 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 Biodesign for the Underserved .
Increasing wage structure of Biodesign Underserved
– 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 Biodesign Underserved.
Regulatory challenges
– Biodesign Underserved 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.
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 Biodesign Underserved in the Strategy & Execution sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Biodesign Underserved 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.
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. Biodesign Underserved 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.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Biodesign Underserved has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Strategy & Execution industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Biodesign Underserved 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.
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 Biodesign Underserved business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
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.
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.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Biodesign for the Underserved 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 Biodesign for the Underserved 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 Biodesign for the Underserved 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 Biodesign for the Underserved 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 Biodesign for the Underserved 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 Biodesign Underserved needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
