News

S.W.O.T. analysis boosts 446th AMXS productivity

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nicole Celestine
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  An old proverb warns: "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link." But identifying the weak link could be the key that unlocks the door toward better efficiency, whether in the workplace, or at home.

That's the idea that galvanized Chief Master Sgt. Tim Meyer, 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent, to apply the S.W.O.T. analysis into the squadron's management to increase overall productivity. The S.W.O.T. analysis (which stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) is a leading business practice the chief learned in his Masters of Business Administration studies, and wanted to apply in a real work environment.

"The S.W.O.T. analysis is a leadership and management tool to develop the organization's strategic planning," said the 26-year Air Force Reserve veteran. "It allows organizations to outline their objectives and goals to achieve their desired future."

Chief Meyer, an Air Reserve Technician, said the S.W.O.T analysis was introduced to handle the flood of changes in training and other requirements Reservists were dealing with, to evaluate how those changes were affecting the 446th AMXS' mission, and to come up with strategies to keep the squadron ahead of the curve.

At present, 12 air reserve technicians are receiving S.W.O.T. analysis training, so they can in turn train traditional reservists. Another by-product of the business tool is working groups (consisting of senior NCOs) dedicated to evaluate causes of workplace issues and find better business practices to increase productivity and boost morale. One working group, comprising of Senior Master Sgt. Cameron Pence, Senior Master Sgt Ralph Myers, and Master Sgt. John Adams (all air reserve technicians), is evaluating ways to increase aircraft maintenance training on UTA weekends. Sergeant Adams, a squadron section chief, praised the S.W.O.T. analysis and said it helps leadership "...see the bigger picture and find ways to help."

"The S.W.O.T. analysis is really a transformative tool," said Sergeant Pence. "Most organizations have people with good ideas and the S.W.O.T. is the vehicle that allows us to take our shared ideas to that next level."