SOAR Analysis Template

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.