7-S Framework
(McKinsey)

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Explanation of the 7-S Framework of McKinsey.

What is the 7-S Framework? Description

The 7-S Framework of McKinsey is a management model that describes 7 factors to organize a company in an holistic and effective way. Together these factors determine the way in which a corporation operates. Managers should take into account all seven of these factors, to be sure of successful implementation of a strategy. Large or small. They're all interdependent, so if you fail to pay proper attention to one of them, this may effect all others as well. On top of that, the relative importance of each factor may vary over time.

Origin of the 7-S Framework. History

The 7-S Framework was first mentioned in "The Art Of Japanese Management" by Richard Pascale and Anthony Athos in 1981. They had been investigating how Japanese industry had been so successful. At around the same time that Tom Peters and Robert Waterman were exploring what made a company excellent. The Seven S model was born at a meeting of these four authors in 1978. It appeared also in "In Search of Excellence" by Peters and Waterman, and was taken up as a basic tool by the global management consultancy company McKinsey. Since then it is known as their 7-S model.

The meaning of the 7 Ss

Shared Values (also called Superordinate Goals).

The interconnecting center of McKinsey's model is: Shared Values. What does the organization stands for and what it believes in. Central beliefs and attitudes. Compare: Strategic Intent

Strategy

Plans for the allocation of a firms scarce resources, over time, to reach identified goals. Environment, competition, customers.

Structure

The way in which the organization's units relate to each other: centralized, functional divisions (top-down); decentralized; a matrix, a network, a holding, etc.

Systems

The procedures, processes and routines that characterize how the work should be done: financial systems; recruiting, promotion and performance appraisal systems; information systems.

Staff

Numbers and types of personnel within the organization.

Style

Cultural style of the organization and how key managers behave in achieving the organization's goals. Compare: Management Styles.

Skills

Distinctive capabilities of personnel or of the organization as a whole. Compare: Core Competences.

Strengths of the 7-S Model. Benefits

Diagnostic tool for understanding organizations that are ineffective.
Guides organizational change.
Combines rational and hard elements with emotional and soft elements.
Managers must act on all Ss in parallel and all Ss are interrelated.

Book: Ethan M. Rasiel, Paul N. Friga - The McKinsey Mind: Understanding and Implementing the Problem Solving Tools and Management Techniques -

7-S Framework Forum

New Topic | Help

Measuring the Scores on each S of the 7S Framework
"Hello all, have there been parameters developed to measure and/ore track the 7 elements of the McKinsey 7S framework in detail?"

More Organizational Analysis Tools Beyond 7S
"The 7-S framework is actually just one of several tools in order for the management to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the company. Aside from the 7-S, it should also include the state of fin..."

Guiding a Change Program with 7-S Model
"How can the 7-S model be used to inform or guide a change program?"

Competitive Edge with 7S Model?
"(How) Can a firm achieve a competitive advantage with the 7S framework?
For me its the shared values and style that make up the competitive advantage of a company. It spells what it really is as ..."

Changes in Shared Values and Staff
"The values of the organisation may change over time with changes of personnel entering the organisation from the outside. Especially in a growing company a few things happen quickly:
1. Ad..."

7S McKinsey for ISO 14001
"How is the 7S Model from McKinsey used as frame work for ISO 14001 implementation?"

One More S: Solidarity
"I think this is a sound model but Solidarity is missing in this model. It should be the 8S model. Solidarity is a concept of oneness. See the concepts of Dr. Abdullah Alama Muhammad Iqbal which has be..."

7-s Model as Basis for a Project Audit
"Could McKinsey's 7-s model be used as a standard/norm for auditing control over projects in organizations. Anyone with experience on this matter?"

McKinsey 7-S Model on Innovation
"I am interested in the application of the 7-S model on organizing innovation structurally in a company.
For instance: what are the choices available for each S, related to the environment of the ..."

What is the NEW 7S Framework?
"The new 7 S-es are:
1. Superior Stakeholder Satisfaction
2. Strategic Foretelling
3. Positioning by Speed
4. Positioning by Surprise
5. Shipping rules against competition
..."

Involving Staff in 7-S Framework
"Implementing the 7-S can be challenging especially without the buying in of staff and management. How can these people best be involved for a swift strategic change?"

McKinsey 7s Background
"I am doing a presentation on the 7-s framework and was wondering if anyone knew the first time it was successfully implemented and by who? Any other interesting topics are welcomed as well."

7-S within Government
"It has come to my attention that the 7-S Model is rarely mentioned in its completeness when strategic session or planning is performed at government level. Could it be that government leadership is e..."

Measuring the 7 Factors
"I have recently developed an interest in 7S framework. However I am not sure how the factors are measured or quantified so they become meaningful."

Extra S-es in the 7S Framework by McKinsey
"I was able to utlize the 7S model very effectively to conduct the assessment of the state of the public health system for my research thesis. However, the model was limited in coverage of other critic..."

Why are Shared Values in the Center of 7's?
"Why are Shared Values in the Center of 7's? Please help me... Thank you..^^"

Applying the 7 S Framework. Implementation
"I believe the 7's is very difficult to implement at the ORGANIZATION level. So if we would be able to implement the HARD S's i-e Strategy, Structure and System that would be more then enough for a com..."

State Bank Of India & it's success with 7S
"Hi I'm a MBA student. and i need to write an assignment about State Bank Of India success. How can i explain it's success with 7S framework ? Any idea ? 'please assist'"

7S model organisational Change Overcoming Barries
"How do companies use the 7s model to overcome their barriers while establishing organizational changes?"

Google and its success with 7S
"Hi I am a MBA student and I need to write an assignment about Google`s success. How can I explain its success with 7S framework? Any ideas?? Thanks a lot."

7 S model in the post merger phase
"I'm a Masters student looking at the post merger phase of a university. How can I apply the 7 S model in studying the post merger phase? Please assist"

Effectiveness of 7 s framework
"The model given in 7S framework is so exhaustive that it includes almost all the aspects of the organisation.
- The Superordinate goals provide the clear cut lines on which the employees o..."

Does the 7-S Model still holds true today?
"Does the 7-S Model still holds true in today's business environment? Companies are increasing outsourcing their functions, and headquarters are only becoming a virtual company. Look at a..."

Applications of the 7-S Framework
"While some models of organizational effectiveness go in and out of fashion, one that has persisted is the McKinsey 7S framework. Developed in the early 1980s by Tom Peters and Robert Waterman, two con..."

7S Confrontation Matrix
"You can create a 7S Confrontation Matrix with all 7 S-es listed both horizontally and vertically. In the cells or intersections you list the expected impact / potential problem areas / solutions of a ..."

Communication Problems in the 7S Model of McKinsey
"How do you link the 7S Model to problems related to communication in a work place?"

Limiting choice of 'S' in 7S Framework?
"While reading for my management course, I couldn't help but wonder if the choice of an alphabet limits the scope and skews the interpretation of a model. When formulating a model, how easy / difficult..."

7S <> Leadership, Management
"How do you link the 7 s framework with leadership and management. Because when discussing leadership and management most writers say leaders set the major objectives and strategies and managers will t..."

Hard and Soft S's in McKinsey 7-S Model
"The seven S's can be distinguished in:
- 3 Hard S-es (Strategy, Structure and Systems) which are relatively easy to identify and influence.
- 4 Soft S-es, which are more diffic..."