Introduction and application of the SWOT model in strategic planning of comprehensive watershed management

Management and planning have different levels, of which the strategy is the highest level and has a long-term approach to resource allocation and decision making. Comprehensive watershed management is one of the reliable and accepted management approaches of the world community, which is a coordinated management of physical, biological, social and economic systems. The SWOT model is one of the strategic planning models. Due to its structural features and extensive capabilities, this model can easily be used in the management of diverse natural and human systems, including watershed management. SWOT analysis identifies threats and opportunities in the external environment of a system and to recognize internal weaknesses and strengths of that system. The correct identification of the problems in the field is also one of the most important steps in implementing this approach. The SWOT model can be used in comprehensive watershed management due to strategic planning because of its flexibility and ability to understand cause and effect relationships.