State of Wisconsin

To foster prosperity for all Wisconsinites by becoming a top state for innovation, opportunity, and quality of life.

State of Wisconsin SWOT Analysis

Updated: October 3, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

How to Use This Analysis

This analysis for State of Wisconsin was created using Alignment.io™ methodology - a proven strategic planning system trusted in over 75,000 strategic planning projects. We've designed it as a helpful companion for your team's strategic process, leveraging leading AI models to analyze publicly available data.

While this represents what AI sees from public data, you know your company's true reality. That's why we recommend using Alignment.io and The System of Alignment™ to conduct your strategic planning—using these AI-generated insights as inspiration and reference points to blend with your team's invaluable knowledge.

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The State of Wisconsin SWOT analysis reveals a pivotal moment. The state's formidable manufacturing heritage and world-class university system provide a stable foundation, but are offset by critical weaknesses in talent retention and aging infrastructure. A significant brain drain to neighboring states and political polarization represent existential threats to long-term prosperity. However, a massive opportunity exists to harness federal funding and the remote work trend to pivot the economy. The core challenge is clear: Wisconsin must transition from its legacy identity to a modern, diversified, and talent-centric innovation hub. Executing on the conclusion priorities—talent, innovation, infrastructure, and diversification—is not just a strategic choice, but an imperative for future relevance and growth in a competitive national landscape.

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No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To foster prosperity for all Wisconsinites by becoming a top state for innovation, opportunity, and quality of life.

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Strengths

MANUFACTURING: Potent base contributing ~18% to state GDP, a key anchor
EDUCATION: UW System is a top-tier research engine and talent pipeline
DIVERSIFICATION: Growing biohealth/insurance sectors (Epic Systems)
AGRICULTURE: A leading global producer of dairy, cranberries, ginseng
LOCATION: Strategic Upper Midwest position for logistics & supply chain

Weaknesses

WORKFORCE: Labor force participation rate struggles to regain pre-2020 peak
BRAIN DRAIN: Net loss of college graduates to metro areas in IL and MN
INFRASTRUCTURE: Decades of deferred maintenance on roads, bridges, water
SEGREGATION: Nation's highest racial disparities in key urban centers
TAXES: High perceived property and income tax burden deters attraction

Opportunities

FEDERAL: Massive funding influx via Infrastructure & CHIPS Acts
TECH GROWTH: Foxconn site redevelopment attracting new tech investments
REMOTE TALENT: Attract skilled workers from high-cost coastal cities
WATER TECH: Leverage Milwaukee's Water Council to lead a global industry
ONSHORING: Manufacturing reshoring trend benefits WI's industrial base

Threats

COMPETITION: Neighboring states (MN, MI, IL) offer aggressive incentives
DEMOGRAPHICS: An aging population straining services and shrinking labor
POLITICS: Sharp partisan gridlock hindering cohesive, long-term strategy
RECESSION: High sensitivity to national downturns in manufacturing sector
TRADE WARS: Global trade disputes hurt agricultural/mfg. exports

Key Priorities

TALENT: Aggressively reverse brain drain and attract skilled workers
INNOVATION: Capitalize on UW research and federal funds for tech growth
INFRASTRUCTURE: Secure and deploy federal funds to modernize the state
DIVERSIFICATION: Reduce reliance on old sectors by boosting tech/biohealth

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State of Wisconsin OKR

Updated: October 3, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

The Wisconsin OKR plan is a focused and potent blueprint for economic transformation. It wisely translates the SWOT's core challenges directly into ambitious, measurable objectives. By concentrating on the foundational pillars of talent, technology, and infrastructure, the plan avoids genericism and tackles the state's most critical vulnerabilities head-on. The key results are specific, outcome-driven, and designed to create compounding momentum. This is not a maintenance plan; it is a strategic framework for growth, designed to pivot Wisconsin's economy toward a more resilient and prosperous future. The clarity and alignment here provide a powerful tool to rally public and private stakeholders around a shared, achievable vision for success.

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No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To foster prosperity for all Wisconsinites by becoming a top state for innovation, opportunity, and quality of life.

BECOME TALENT MAGNET

Reverse brain drain and attract the nation's best talent.

CAMPAIGN: Launch a national marketing campaign in 5 key metros, generating 50,000 qualified talent leads.
MIGRATION: Achieve a positive net migration of residents with bachelor's degrees or higher this year.
RETENTION: Increase the post-graduation in-state retention rate of UW System graduates by 15% YoY.
WORKFORCE: Partner with 100 companies to create 5,000 new apprenticeships in high-demand tech fields.

LEAD IN TECH

Dominate key innovation sectors of the future economy.

FUNDING: Increase federal R&D grant funding awarded to WI institutions and businesses by 20% to $1.5B+.
STARTUPS: Double the amount of early-stage venture capital invested in Wisconsin-based tech startups.
BIOHEALTH: Attract 3 new major biohealth company R&D centers or HQs to the state via incentives.
WATER: Secure 5 new international partnerships for The Water Council to commercialize new technologies.

BUILD FOR TOMORROW

Create world-class digital and physical infrastructure.

BROADBAND: Connect 100,000 unserved rural homes and businesses to high-speed broadband internet.
PROJECTS: Initiate 25 major infrastructure projects using federal IIJA funds, breaking ground on schedule.
GRID: Upgrade the energy grid to support 5 new large-scale renewable energy projects, increasing capacity.
TRANSIT: Secure final funding and federal approval for the Milwaukee-Madison passenger rail project.

DIVERSIFY ECONOMY

Grow future-proof industries to reduce cyclical risk.

JOBS: Create 10,000 net new jobs in non-manufacturing sectors like tech, biohealth, and finance.
EXPORTS: Increase the value of technology and service-based exports by 15% to new international markets.
INVESTMENT: Secure $1B in new private capital investment commitments in designated tech/innovation zones.
GDP: Grow the tech sector's contribution to state GDP by 10%, outpacing overall state GDP growth.

METRICS

Net Migration Rate: Achieve positive net inflow
State GDP Growth: >3.0% annually
Venture Capital Investment: >$1B annually

VALUES

Integrity
Community
Stewardship
Innovation
Opportunity

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State of Wisconsin Retrospective

AI-Powered Insights

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GPT

Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Budget Reports
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Annual Reports
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) for GSP data
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for employment data
U.S. Census Bureau for demographic and migration data
State of Wisconsin Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Minnesota Illinois Michigan Iowa Indiana

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To foster prosperity for all Wisconsinites by becoming a top state for innovation, opportunity, and quality of life.

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What Went Well

UNEMPLOYMENT: Maintained a very low unemployment rate, below the U.S. average
INVESTMENT: Secured significant federal grants for infrastructure projects
BIOHEALTH: Continued job and investment growth in the Madison biohealth cluster
TOURISM: Strong rebound in tourism revenue, exceeding pre-pandemic levels
EXPORTS: Growth in key export categories like industrial machinery and food

Not So Well

LABOR: Labor force participation has not fully recovered to pre-2020 levels
HOUSING: Rising housing costs are becoming a barrier to talent attraction
STARTUPS: Lagged behind peer states in venture capital investment growth
BROADBAND: Rural broadband expansion remains slower than planned in some areas
BUDGET: Political debates delayed key budget decisions and investments

Learnings

TALENT is the primary economic bottleneck, not just raw job creation.
FEDERAL funds are a critical opportunity but require state-level execution.
DIVERSIFICATION into tech and biohealth is key to weathering cycles.
QUALITY of place (housing, broadband) is crucial for talent attraction.
POLITICAL alignment is necessary for long-term strategic execution.

Action Items

CAMPAIGN: Launch a comprehensive national talent attraction marketing campaign
EXECUTION: Create a task force to accelerate federal fund deployment
VENTURE: Establish a state-backed fund-of-funds for venture capital
PERMITS: Streamline permitting for rural broadband and housing development
COUNCIL: Form a bipartisan economic council for long-term planning

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Organization	SWOT Analysis	OKR Plan	Top 6	Retrospective

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State of Wisconsin Market

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Claude

Gemini

GPT

Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Budget Reports
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Annual Reports
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) for GSP data
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for employment data
U.S. Census Bureau for demographic and migration data
State of Wisconsin Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Founded: 1848 (Statehood)
Market Share: Ranks 20th in U.S. by Gross State Product.
Customer Base: 1.8M+ households and 450,000+ businesses in Wisconsin.
Category:
State Government
SIC Code: 9199 Administration of General Economic Programs
NAICS Code: 921190 Other General Government Support
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Zip Code: 53703
Congressional District: WI-2 MADISON
Employees: 3015500

Competitors

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Michigan Request Analysis

Iowa Request Analysis

Indiana Request Analysis

Products & Services

No products or services data available

Distribution Channels

State of Wisconsin Business Model Analysis

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Budget Reports
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Annual Reports
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) for GSP data
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for employment data
U.S. Census Bureau for demographic and migration data
State of Wisconsin Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Problem

Need for economic growth and job creation
Requirement for public services/infra.
Demand for education and workforce dev.

Solution

Pro-growth business climate and incentives
Public education and university system
Infrastructure development and maintenance
Public safety and regulatory oversight

Key Metrics

Gross State Product (GSP) Growth
Net Migration Rate
Unemployment Rate
Median Household Income

Unique

World-class UW research institution
Global leadership in freshwater science
Deep heritage in advanced manufacturing

Advantage

Strategic Midwest location for logistics
Strong work ethic and skilled trade base
Epic Systems' healthcare data ecosystem

Channels

State agencies (WEDC, DOA, DOT)
Public-private partnerships
University outreach and extension
Digital government service portals

Customer Segments

Businesses (from startups to enterprise)
Residents (taxpayers, families, students)
Visitors and tourists
Federal Government

Costs

State employee salaries and benefits
Medicaid and social services
Education funding (K-12 and UW System)
Infrastructure construction and repair

State of Wisconsin Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: October 3, 2025

Wisconsin offers a unique combination of economic opportunity, groundbreaking innovation, and an exceptional lifestyle. It's where global companies are built, powered by top-tier research and a strong work ethic, all set within a landscape of vibrant communities and natural beauty. This is the ideal place to grow a career, a business, and a family, providing a foundation for lasting success.

OPPORTUNITY: Build your career with high-growth industries and world-class education.

INNOVATION: Join a thriving ecosystem of thinkers and makers solving global challenges.

LIFESTYLE: Enjoy a balanced life with vibrant cities and unmatched natural beauty.

Before State

Stagnant population growth and brain drain
Over-reliance on traditional industries
Aging infrastructure limits potential

After State

Vibrant, growing, and diverse population
A leading hub for technology & innovation
Modern, efficient, and green infrastructure

Negative Impacts

Shrinking skilled workforce and tax base
Vulnerability to economic downturns
Reduced competitiveness vs. other states

Positive Outcomes

Increased economic output and prosperity
Higher wage jobs and opportunities
Enhanced quality of life for all residents

Key Metrics

Net Migration Rate

-0.1% (slight outflow)

State GDP Growth

+2.1% (annualized Q3 2023)

Labor Force Participation Rate

65.7%

UW System Graduate Retention Rate

~60% in-state

Requirements

Strategic investments in tech and talent
Pro-growth policies and incentives
Strong public-private partnerships

Why State of Wisconsin

Targeted talent attraction campaigns
Funding for university R&D commercialization
Aggressive pursuit of federal grants

State of Wisconsin Competitive Advantage

Leveraging UW System's research prowess
Combining manufacturing know-how with tech
Marketing our unique four-season lifestyle

Proof Points

Top 10 state for university R&D spending
Epic Systems is a world leader in health IT
Milwaukee's Water Council is a global hub

State of Wisconsin Market Positioning

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Budget Reports
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Annual Reports
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) for GSP data
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for employment data
U.S. Census Bureau for demographic and migration data
State of Wisconsin Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Strategic pillars derived from our vision-focused SWOT analysis

TALENT MAGNET

Become a net importer of skilled professional talent.

INNOVATION HUB

Dominate in biohealth, water tech & advanced mfg.

FUTURE-READY

Modernize infrastructure & diversify economic base.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Invest in communities to attract & retain families.

What You Do

Provides a stable platform for commerce, education, and quality of life.

Target Market

Residents, businesses, and visitors of Wisconsin.

Differentiation

World-class university system driving R&D.
Strong work ethic in advanced manufacturing.
Unmatched freshwater resources and recreation.

Revenue Streams

Individual and corporate income taxes
State sales tax
Property taxes
Federal government funding

State of Wisconsin Operations and Technology

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Budget Reports
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Annual Reports
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) for GSP data
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for employment data
U.S. Census Bureau for demographic and migration data
State of Wisconsin Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Company Operations

Organizational Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches with numerous state agencies.
Supply Chain: Manages public infrastructure, education, and regulatory frameworks.
Tech Patents: UW System consistently ranks among top universities for patents granted.
Website: https://www.wisconsin.gov/

Top Clients

Board Members

N/A (Governed by elected officials)

State of Wisconsin Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

LOW: The 'market' is fixed to 50 states. Threat comes from other states becoming more attractive, not new states being created.

Supplier Power

MEDIUM: The Federal government (supplier of funds) holds significant power. Public sector unions also exert strong influence.

Buyer Power

HIGH: 'Buyers' (residents and businesses) are mobile and can relocate to other states with more favorable conditions.

Threat of Substitution

MEDIUM: Remote work allows talent to 'substitute' living in WI. Businesses can substitute WI labor with automation or offshoring.

Competitive Rivalry

HIGH: States compete fiercely on taxes, incentives, and talent attraction. WI is in a constant battle with MN, IL, MI for jobs.

Analysis of AI Strategy

Updated: October 3, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

The State of Wisconsin AI SWOT Analysis underscores a unique, asymmetric opportunity. The state possesses a world-class, proprietary data asset in Epic Systems, which, combined with its manufacturing prowess, could establish global leadership in health-tech and industrial AI. This is a rare and powerful combination. However, this potential is severely constrained by a significant AI talent gap and a lack of cohesive state-level strategy and investment. The primary threat isn't technological, but one of execution and speed. Competitor states are moving aggressively. Wisconsin must urgently build the talent pipeline and strategic framework to convert its distinct data and domain advantages into tangible economic leadership, or risk seeing its immense potential captured by others.

Minnesota Illinois Michigan Iowa Indiana

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To foster prosperity for all Wisconsinites by becoming a top state for innovation, opportunity, and quality of life.

Strengths

HEALTHCARE: Epic Systems' vast, anonymized health data is a unique asset
ACADEMIA: Strong AI/ML research programs at UW-Madison and Marquette Univ
INDUSTRY: Manufacturing base provides real-world apps for industrial AI
DATA: Robust public data sets from state agencies for training models

Weaknesses

ADOPTION: Slow AI adoption among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)
TALENT GAP: Acute shortage of AI engineers and data scientists statewide
GOVERNANCE: Lack of a clear statewide AI strategy or ethical guidelines
INVESTMENT: Insufficient venture capital for early-stage AI startups

Opportunities

PRECISION AG: AI-driven optimization for dairy, crop, and water usage
MANUFACTURING: Predictive maintenance and automation in factories (Ind 4.0)
HEALTH-TECH: AI diagnostics and personalized medicine via Epic's data
GOVERNMENT: AI for optimizing public services and infrastructure mgmt

Threats

DISPLACEMENT: AI-driven automation threatening traditional mfg. jobs
BIAS: Risk of biased AI models exacerbating existing social inequities
COMPETITION: Other states launching aggressive, well-funded AI initiatives
SECURITY: Increased cybersecurity risks from sophisticated AI threats

Key Priorities

HEALTH-TECH AI: Leverage Epic's data to become a leader in healthcare AI
INDUSTRIAL AI: Drive AI adoption in manufacturing for global competition
TALENT PIPELINE: Fund programs to build a world-class AI workforce
AI GOVERNANCE: Establish strategy for ethical and effective AI use

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State of Wisconsin Financial Performance

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Budget Reports
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Annual Reports
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) for GSP data
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for employment data
U.S. Census Bureau for demographic and migration data
State of Wisconsin Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Profit: State Budget Surplus: $4B (FY2024 projection)

Market Cap: N/A (Government Entity)

Stock Performance

Annual Report: State of Wisconsin Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Debt: General Obligation Bonds Outstanding: ~$8.5B

ROI Impact: Economic growth, job creation, and quality of life improvements.

SWOT Index

Composite strategic assessment with 10-year outlook

/ 100

Legacy Pivoter

ICM Index

STRATEGIC ADVISOR ASSESSMENT

Wisconsin has a 'Societal' ambition but faces significant execution risk due to internal weaknesses (brain drain, politics), reflected in a modest Achievability score. The SWOT is balanced, with major opportunities (federal funds) offset by severe threats (competition). The OKRs are strong and category-shaping. The AI potential is a significant, untapped lever. The final index reflects a state with immense potential but facing critical internal hurdles that must be overcome to achieve its vision.

SWOT Factors

Upside: 83.3 Risk: 86.7

OKR Impact

AI Leverage

Top 3 Strategic Levers

EXECUTE on talent attraction/retention KRs relentlessly.

LEVERAGE Epic Systems data to build a world-class AI health hub.

ACCELERATE federal infrastructure fund deployment.

AI Disclosure

This report was created using the Alignment Method—our proprietary process for guiding AI to reveal how it interprets your business and industry. These insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

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