McKinsey Framework2
McKinsey Framework2
McKinsey Framework2
Introduction
The 7S model is a strategic model that can be used for any of the following purposes:
Determining how best to realign an organization to a new strategy or other organization design
The model, made famous by the McKinsey consulting company, is good for a thorough discussion around
an organizations activities, infrastructure, and interactions.
-The model and its usageHere is the 7S model that portrays seven elements of an organization.
How does the organization plan to use its resources and capabilities to deliver that?
Structure
What are the reporting and working relationships (hierarchical, flat, silos, etc.)?
How are decisions made? Is it based off of centralization, empowerment, decentralization or other
approaches?
How is information shared (formal and informal channels) across the organization?
Systems
What are the primary business and technical systems that drive the organization?
What internal rules and processes does the team utilize to maintain course?
Shared Values
What are the founding values that the organization was built upon?
Style
Are there real teams functioning within the organization or are they just nominal groups?
Staff
Skills
What skills are used to deliver the core products and/or services? Are these skills sufficiently
present and available?
Once the questions are answered, the data should be examined. The analysis should look for the
following aspects:
Consistency
Alignment
Conflicts
Gaps
Support
Strengths
Weaknesses
The uses of the model can be as a static picture to determine how effectively the organization is
implementing its strategy. Also, it can be used two-fold with a current state and an intended future
state. By comparing the current and future states, gaps can be assessed, which lead to improvement and
action plans. That latter case makes enables the model to be used for large scale change.
-SummaryLike any model, there are good fits and poor fits. This is a handy model for taking a snapshot and
comparing that to the desired state or improvement. It visually shows how everything is linked and
understanding the larger implications of change can be very revealing. It is much like how a general
doctor can help diagnose a patients situation, but the fine-tuned skill of a surgeon can be used to make
the specific, desired changed.