BOB STANKE

View Original

McKinsey 7S Framework: Align Your Strategy, Structure, and Systems

The McKinsey 7S Framework is a management tool used by organizations to align their strategy, structure, systems, shared values, skills, staff, and style to achieve their goals. Developed by McKinsey & Company in the late 1970s, the framework is designed to help organizations understand how their internal elements are interrelated and how changes in one element can impact other elements.

The Seven Elements of the McKinsey 7S Framework

  1. Strategy: The long-term plan for achieving an organization's goals.

  2. Structure: The formal and informal relationships and processes within an organization, including the reporting structure, roles and responsibilities, and communication channels.

  3. Systems: The processes, procedures, and technologies used to support the operations and goals of an organization.

  4. Shared Values: The beliefs, attitudes, and principles that drive the behavior of individuals within an organization.

  5. Skills: The capabilities, expertise, and competencies of individuals within an organization.

  6. Staff: The people who work in an organization, including their attitudes, behaviors, and motivations.

  7. Style: The way in which decisions are made, tasks are performed, and problems are solved within an organization.

The McKinsey 7S Framework is a useful tool for organizations undergoing change, as it helps to ensure that all elements of the organization are aligned and working together towards a common goal. When changes are made to one element, it is important to consider the impact on the other elements, and to ensure that the changes are integrated and consistent with the organization's overall strategy.

In conclusion, the McKinsey 7S Framework provides organizations with a comprehensive and integrated view of their internal elements, and helps to ensure that these elements are aligned and working together to achieve their goals. By considering the interrelationships between the seven elements, organizations can make informed decisions about change, and can take steps to ensure that their changes are integrated and consistent with their overall strategy.