Generally, external opportunities and threats are:

External opportunities and threats are inherently linked to the external environment in which an organization operates. Unlike internal factors, which may be influenced or controlled by the organization's decisions and strategies, external factors such as market trends, economic conditions, regulatory changes, and competitive dynamics are outside an organization's direct control.

These external aspects are the result of broader industry trends and environmental shifts, which means that while an organization can respond to and prepare for these changes, it cannot dictate or manage them directly. Therefore, understanding that opportunities represent potential favorable conditions, and threats indicate adverse scenarios, organizations must continuously assess these elements to strategically navigate their market landscape.

Monitoring and evaluating external opportunities and threats are crucial for effective strategic planning, but the fact remains that these are beyond the operational control of any single organization. This recognition shapes how organizations craft their strategies, enabling them to leverage opportunities while mitigating the impact of threats.