2.2 Analytical tools
To take matters forward, Davies and Ellison suggest the use of analytical tools to assist with practical target setting when data and information have been collected. They suggest some tools including ‘Boston Growth Matrix’ from the Boston Consulting Group and Little's ‘Lifecycle portfolio matrix’.
Perhaps most readers will be familiar with a SWOT analysis – strengths and weaknesses are usually internal while opportunities and threats are regarded as external factors. Davies and Ellison have modified this to include a macro approach and have included sub-categories to make the tool more sophisticated.
Explore this tool in Activity 3 now.
Activity 3
Look at the case study for Shrewbridge School by clicking on ‘view document’ below. Now, draw up your own macro SWOT using the template also under the ‘view document’ link below. Add any other sub-categories you feel are relevant.
Click here to read Shrewbridge School case study
View document [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]
Click here to read Building a macro SWOT for a school
This will help you identify what needs to be done. It would be good to do this in relation to, one such issue as, the Extended Schools agenda or workforce reform by talking to different groups within the school (such as governors, senior management team (SMT), middle leaders, parents, pupils). This would give you a school-wide overview and would probably generate valuable discussion!