Conducting an ISO 14001 SWOT analysis

 

With the introduction of the high-level structure and risk-based thinking to ISO standards, a new chaos ensured in the ISO world. Conflicting interpretations on what is context of the organization, should it be documented or not and how to document it emerged. Many staunch gurus conducting ISO 14001 trainings would advice documenting the requirements as the new standard did not call out the need to document the context of the organization but only to review it at planned intervals.

Let us first understand the need for the requirement. Understanding the context that the organization operates within is business 101 and key to the success of any organization. History has shown us how companies have gone out of business for not appreciating the risks facing their business. This despite them producing the best quality product in perhaps the world. ISO 14001 training will deliver an understanding of this requirement to participants as also the interpretation.

Having understood the need for the requirement let us look at the need for documenting it. While the standard does not require the documentation of the context, it does in essence leave the need to document it up to the organization. The organization needs to consider the risk of not documenting it. Similar to the risk of not providing their auditors with ISO 14001 training. It would be rare that an organization does not see the benefit of identifying the risks that face them so that they can then take timely action to address these risks.

Once a decision is made to document the context perhaps the easiest way to do so is a SWOT analysis. SWOT refers to the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. The Strengths and Weaknesses identify the internal opportunities and risks while the other two identify the external. It is good to have some background perspective before beginning a SWOT analysis. Also make sure that a good representation of people form across the organization are included in conduct of the SWOT. The SWOT will identify business risks, operational risks, competitive and technological risks as also legal compliance risks.

The SWOT analysis is generally broken up into four quadrants and then personnel asked to provide inputs during a brainstorming session. The SWOT analysis then acts as a good starting point for development of a risk register or an aspect/impact register. It also can then be used during management reviews to meet the requirement for a planned review of the context. ISO 14001 training identifies the requirements of the standard and QMII’s ISO 14001 training additionally provides students with useful tools for easy and quick implementation of the standards for their organization.