SOAR Analysis Template

Used 1039 times | Updated October 28, 2023

Take a visionary approach to analyze your business standing on the playing field. Complete the four sections of the SOAR Analysis to review your company’s Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results. Share it across your organization to align over big dreams grounded in reality.

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Beautiful living documents, built like web pages.
Join 192,582 professionals using Xtensio.

Strategy Business Development Marketing Project Management

What is the difference between SOAR Analysis and SWOT Analysis?

SOAR Analysis is a strategic planning framework alternative to the popular SWOT. It replaces Weaknesses and Threats with Aspirations and Results. The difference is more in the mindset and a little bit of the worldview. SWOT takes the “Let’s get down to business” approach. It sees the market as a battleground ripe for opportunities for the winner. SOAR, on the other hand, focuses on the positive possibilities and allows room for idealism while staying grounded in reality and addressing results.

We put an extra spin on this framework and elevated our instructional text/questions with bits about the bigger picture. We added a business or organization’s impact on society and the Planet as points of consideration. Please consider with an open mind. Of course, you can always stick to the business-as-usual KPIs, ROIs, and other three-letter words to paint the picture for your business.

What is SOAR Analysis for?

SOAR Analysis can be used for business strategy. We particularly like it for product designers looking to introduce a new element into the realm and of course, startups that typically have aspirations built into the soul of their endeavor. Another area it can inform is a brand’s guidelines document which renders a brand’s vision, mission, and values. By itself, SOAR Analysis will not help develop an entire strategic roadmap, but it is complementary to other business frameworks and analysis tools.

Related how-to guides and free templates!

How to do a SWOT Analysis

How to use the SOAR Analysis Template?

Click and start editing. The template is populated with instructional text to guide you through each section of the SOAR Analysis: Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results.

XTENSIO TIP: Click and add text without worrying about the length or fitting all your findings on a single page. Xtensio pages are infinitely scrollable like web pages, so don’t be afraid of formatting or design as you brainstorm.

You can invite colleagues to collaborate and co-edit this document. Once completed you can share it live as a link, which will appear as a mobile-friendly webpage. Or you can export it as a PDF or PNG. Or present it on Zoom or in person, in slide view among other strategic documents.

XTENSIO TIP: You can click the three dots and copy this work to other documents, presentations, and marketing strategies, pair it with the lean canvas, the product canvas, and so on.

Frequently asked questions

What is SOAR Analysis?

SOAR Analysis is a planning tool that helps you focus on your strengths and future goals. It’s an acronym for Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results. It’s like a roadmap for your aspirations.

How is SOAR different from SWOT?

SWOT looks at Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. SOAR, however, zeroes in on what you’re good at and where you could go. It’s all about building on your positives.

When should I use SOAR Analysis?

Use SOAR when you’re aiming to grow and build on your existing strengths. It’s perfect for team meetings, strategy sessions, or anytime you want to get a clear vision for the future.

What are the 4 components of the SOAR diversity analysis?

The four components are the same as a standard SOAR but with a focus on diversity: Strengths (what diverse strengths do we have?), Opportunities (where can diversity bring new opportunities?), Aspirations (what are our diversity goals?), and Results (how will we measure diversity success?).

What is a SOAR template?

A SOAR template is a pre-designed framework that helps you easily conduct a SOAR Analysis. It has sections for Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results, where you can fill in your own details. Use Xtensio to start editing your SOAR Analysis online, together.

Who should be involved when doing a SOAR Analysis?

Get a mix of people in there: different departments, levels, and even some customers if you can. The more perspectives, the better the insights you’ll gather.

What do I do after a SOAR Analysis?

After you’ve filled out your SOAR, the next step is to turn those insights into a strategy. Set clear goals, assign tasks, and figure out how you’ll track your progress.

Can I use SOAR for personal goals?

Absolutely! SOAR can help you get a clear picture of your personal strengths and aspirations. It’s a great tool for setting and tracking personal goals.

Are there any downsides to SOAR?

The main downside is that its positive focus might make you overlook challenges. So, it’s a good idea to pair it with other tools that help you spot potential issues.

Any tools to help with SOAR?

Xtensio’s online template is a perfect solution, just click and edit. But, a whiteboard or a simple piece of paper can be sufficient, too.

Strategy Business Development Marketing Project Management