SOAR Analysis
What is a SOAR Analysis, and why is it important?
A Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results analysis (SOAR) provides a structure to collaboratively identify a team vision by taking inventory of its culture and resources as individuals and that of the organization or organizations that comprise your team. While especially helpful for a new team with individuals or organizations that have never worked together, it can also reveal new and previously unrecognized connections, strengths and opportunities to revitalize teams with a long history of collaboration.
When should I conduct a SOAR Analysis?
It is ideal to conduct a SOAR analysis as one of the team’s first activities before creating a Team Charter. A SOAR analysis is not simply for new teams. An updated SOAR analysis can be quite helpful for established teams that have experienced significant membership turnover, a growing sense of interpersonal disconnection, or the lack of a clear and universally held vision for their work. Ideally, an updated SOAR analysis would be followed by a refreshed or updated Team Charter. When welcoming and orienting a new organizational partner to the team, updating or doing a “mini-” SOAR analysis can also be quite helpful.
| SOAR Analysis Key Activities | Time Estimate: ~ 4+ Hours |
|---|---|
| Identify individual and organizational strengths | 1-2 one-hour meetings |
| Identify opportunities | 1 one-hour meeting |
| Identify aspirations | 1 one-hour meeting |
| Identify results | 1 one-hour meeting |
How should I work through a SOAR Analysis?
Teams should identify one or two people willing to facilitate the SOAR analysis. Facilitators should familiarize themselves with the SOAR Facilitator Guide, an in-depth guide on how to execute a SOAR analysis (whether in-person or virtually) for leading their teams in understanding their unique strengths, opportunities, aspirations and vision.
Resources to complete a SOAR Analysis:
Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results Analysis Facilitator Guide
The SOAR Facilitator Guide provides step-by-step instructions for leading a team through a Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results analysis — a structured, strengths-based alternative to traditional Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis. The SOAR analysis helps teams inventory individual and organizational resources, build a shared vision, and advance health equity initiatives. The facilitator guide includes detailed activities, discussion prompts, timing guidance, and format options for both in-person and virtual settings.
About the Roadmap Goal and Objective Setting Tool
Use the Roadmap Goal and Objective Setting tool to facilitate and document the development, implementation, and evaluation phases of your health equity initiative. It will help your team realize your vision to reduce and eliminate health and healthcare inequities by providing a centralized resource to:
- establish process goals that align with each Roadmap component;
- document task status, identify project champions, and maintain detailed notes;
- monitor progress across multiple Roadmap components simultaneously; and
- promote consistent team communication, accountability, and progress.