--- title: Structured Approach to Strategic Analysis - CentrX description: CentrX consultants support many executives to address their marketplace challenges and develop better marketing plans. Read more here. --- [![CentrX Final-01](https://www.centrx-exl.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CentrX%20images%20update/CentrX%20Final-01.png?width=2000&height=587&name=CentrX%20Final-01.png "CentrX Final-01")](https://www.centrx-exl.com/) [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2701262/794b4326-0db8-4f07-80d5-53a4273c7b08.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2701262/794b4326-0db8-4f07-80d5-53a4273c7b08) # Application Tools, Developed for Real World Action ![liftoff-white-mobile-2-phones.png](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/3319388/hubfs/liftoff-white-mobile-2-phones.png?width=333&height=437&name=liftoff-white-mobile-2-phones.png) ![Briefcase_Laptop_Screen.png](https://www.centrx-exl.com/hs-fs/hubfs/StratX%20Corporate%20Feb%202017/Images/free-trail.png?width=690&name=free-trail.png) ## A structured approach to strategic analysis. CentrX consultants have helped thousands of marketers and executives address their marketplace challenges and develop better marketing plans. While doing so, we have developed a suite of strategic marketing tools that have resonated with our clients. These cloud-based strategic analysis and decision support tools are described in further detail below. They address core areas of strategic marketing, including: - Situational and Competitive Analysis - Customer and Stakeholder Understanding - Portfolio Management and Resource Allocation [Click here to contact the Boston office for free trial access.](mailto:boston@stratx.com?subject=StratX%20Tools%3A%20Free%20Trial%20Access&body=I%20found%20your%20%22free%20trial%20access%22%20offer%20on%20www.stratx.com%20-%20can%20you%20please%20contact%20me%20to%20let%20me%20know%20more%3F) [Click here to contact the Paris office for free trial access.](mailto:paris@stratx.com?subject=StratX%20Tools%3A%20Free%20Trial%20Access&body=I%20found%20your%20%22free%20trial%20access%22%20offer%20on%20www.stratx.com%20-%20can%20you%20please%20contact%20me%20to%20let%20me%20know%20more%3F) [Click here to contact the Dubai office for free trial access.](mailto:dubai@stratx.com?subject=StratX%20Tools%3A%20Free%20Trial%20Access&body=I%20found%20your%20%22free%20trial%20access%22%20offer%20on%20www.stratx.com%20-%20can%20you%20please%20contact%20me%20to%20let%20me%20know%20more%3F) #### CentrX Tools Overview - [STAR Tool: Portfolio Management](https://www.centrx-exl.com/tools#tabs-1) - [Q-SWOT Tool: Situational Analysis](https://www.centrx-exl.com/tools#tabs-2) - [SAT Tool: Customer Understanding](https://www.centrx-exl.com/tools#tabs-3) - [CHESS Tool: Competitive Analysis](https://www.centrx-exl.com/tools#tabs-4) ## ![](https://www.centrx-exl.com/hs-fs/hubfs/StratX%20Corporate%20Feb%202017/Images/STAR%20Tool.jpg?width=700&height=250&name=STAR%20Tool.jpg) ## STAR Tool: Portfolio Management. This tool will help you to identify the right opportunities in the market and how to best allocate resources for maximum impact. You can apply the tool in order to analyze various portfolios, such as: - Portfolio of product offerings / markets - Portfolio of key accounts - Portfolio of customer segments - Portfolio of geographies - Portfolio of business units / markets - Portfolio of strategic initiatives or projects - Portfolio of communication activities or promotional mix ## ![](https://www.centrx-exl.com/hs-fs/hubfs/StratX%20Corporate%20Feb%202017/Images/Q-SWOT%20Tool.jpg?width=700&height=250&name=Q-SWOT%20Tool.jpg) ## Q-SWOT Tool: Situational Analysis. To support a thorough approach to situational analysis, the Q-SWOT tool follows three, structured steps: 1. **Initial Analysis:** Review available market information in order to assess the current environment. 2. **Conduct Q-SWOT** Visually identify and weight key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. 3. **Conclusions** Analyze the results to identify key issues and the Critical Success Factors (CSFs). ## ![](https://www.centrx-exl.com/hs-fs/hubfs/StratX%20Corporate%20Feb%202017/Images/SAT%20Tool.jpg?width=700&height=250&name=SAT%20Tool.jpg) ## SAT Tool: Customer Understanding. **Target Audience:** Intact Marketing. Sales/Account or cross-functional team of 4-6 individuals. **Purpose:** To better understand multiple external stakeholders influencing your success. **Scope:** Marketing: key customer groups or segments Sales: key accounts **Result: **Develop a plan to better address key stakeholder needs relative to the competition. ## ![](https://www.centrx-exl.com/hs-fs/hubfs/StratX%20Corporate%20Feb%202017/Images/CHESS%20Tool.jpg?width=700&height=250&name=CHESS%20Tool.jpg) ## CHESS Tool: Competitive Analysis.  To support a thorough approach to competitive analysis, the CHESS tool follows three, structured steps: 1. **Initial Analysis:** Review available market information in order to assess the current environment. 2. **Conduct CHESS** Identify, using the CHESS process and rating system, potential competitor reactions and counter moves in real market scenarios. 3. **Conclusions** Analyze the results and select the best way to outmaneuver the competition. 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