Which of the following represents a method for analyzing external factors in a situation analysis?

SWOT analysis is a comprehensive tool that allows businesses to assess their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It specifically aids in identifying external factors by examining opportunities and threats present in the external environment. This involves analyzing market trends, competitive dynamics, regulatory conditions, and other external elements that can impact the organization. By focusing on these dimensions, a business can develop strategic initiatives that leverage external opportunities or mitigate threats.

The other methods listed have different primary focuses. Brand positioning involves defining how a brand is perceived in the marketplace in relation to competitors, which is more about internal strategy than external analysis. Sales forecasting predicts future sales based on data trends and historical performance, primarily focusing on internal metrics rather than external conditions. Market segmentation identifies distinct groups within a larger market that share common characteristics, which is more related to target marketing than analyzing the wider external environment.