SOAR Analysis

SOAR is a positive approach to strategic thinking and planning. It allows an organization to construct its future through collaboration, shared understanding, and a commitment to action.

SOAR stands for Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results and follows 9 steps:

  1. Identify stakeholders
  2. Design your appreciative inquiry (AI) questionnaire
  3. Engage other stakeholders
  4. Reshape conversations
  5. Summarize the organization’s positive course
  6. Create a compelling future vision based on the existing strengths
  7. Assess opportunities
  8. Create goal statements
  9. Create action plans
SOAR_framework

Components of the soar process (strengths, opportunities, aspirations, results)

  1. Strengths: What can we build on as an organization?
  2. Opportunities: What are our stake-holders asking for?
  3. Aspirations: What do we care deeply about?
  4. Results: How do we know we are succeeding?

Sources:

University of Missouri’s SOAR Model Analysis
Stavros, J. & Hinrichs, G. 2009. The thin book of SOAR: Building strengths-based strategy.
Stavros, J. & Cole, M. 2013. SOARing towards positive transformation and change. Development Policy Review, 1(1), 10-34.