What outcome might be justified by the results of a SWOT analysis?

A SWOT analysis involves evaluating an organization's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to inform strategic decisions. One significant outcome of conducting a SWOT analysis is the potential for abandonment of a core business function. This conclusion can arise when the analysis reveals that the function is consistently underperforming, lacks alignment with the organization’s strengths and opportunities, or poses significant risks that outweigh its benefits.

For example, if the analysis indicates that a particular service or product line does not meet market demands, is a financial drain, or no longer aligns with the company’s overall strategic direction, the organization may determine that discontinuing this core function is the most prudent course of action to streamline operations and focus resources on more profitable ventures.

The other choices may stem from outcomes of a SWOT analysis, but they often suggest either expansion or growth tactics rather than a reevaluation of existing core functions. Therefore, while the analysis can lead to various strategic decisions, the abandonment of a core business function reflects a significant and justified decision grounded in the insights garnered from the SWOT analysis process.