The 7S Framework

Knowledge Center

Explanation of the 7-S Model 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 a 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 journal "Business Horizons" in an article "Structure Is Not Organization" by Robert H. Waterman, Thomas J. Peters and Julien R. Phillips in June 1980. 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

Superordinate Goals (also called Shared Values).

The interconnecting center of McKinsey's model is: Superordinate Goals (Shared Values). This term includes higher elevation concepts of what an organization wants to achieve, stands for and what it believes in: purpose, vision, mission, shared values, 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 -

Special Interest Group - 7-S Framework Special Interest Group (5968 members)

Forum - 7-S Framework   Here you will find interesting and educational discussions.   How to Link 7S Model with Leadership and Management (5 reactions) How do you link the 7 s framework with leadership and manage...           7S McKinsey for ISO 14001 (1 reactions) How is the 7S Model from McKinsey used as framework for ISO ...           Using McKinsey 7-S Model for Organizing Innovation (4 reactions) I am interested in the application of the 7-S model on organ...           7 S model in the Post Merger Phase (3 reactions) I'm a Masters student looking at the post merger phase of a ...           7-s Model as Basis for a Project Audit (4 reactions) Could McKinsey's 7-s model be used as a standard/norm for au...           Google and its success with 7S (1 reactions) Hi I am a MBA student and I need to write an assignment abou...           CDOCi Acronym | CDOCi Tool (1 reactions) You can combine 7S analysis with a method called "CDOCi": A...           Involving Staff in 7-S Framework (4 reactions) Implementing the 7-S can be challenging especially without t...           Applying the 7 S Framework. Implementation (2 reactions) I believe the 7's is very difficult to implement at the ORGA...           McKinsey 7-S Background (1 reactions) I am doing a presentation on the 7-S framework and was wonde...           Competitive Edge with 7S Model? (4 reactions) (How) Can a firm achieve a competitive advantage with the 7S...           7-S within Government (2 reactions) It has come to my attention that the 7-S Model is rarely men...           Changes in Shared Values and Staff (1 reactions) The values of the organisation may change over time w...           What is the NEW 7S Framework? (1 reactions) The new 7 S-es are: 1. Superior Stakeholder Satisfaction 2...         How to Use the 7S Model in Education? Does someone have an idea for using this method for universi...           One More S: Solidarity (7 reactions) I think this is a sound model but Solidarity is missing in t...           7S model organisational Change Overcoming Barries How do companies use the 7s model to overcome their barriers...           7S X 7S Matrix: Tracking the Mutual Congruency of the 7S Elements (1 reactions) I have used the 7S for organisational assessment and analysi...           Effectiveness of 7 s framework (1 reactions) The model given in 7S framework is so exhaustive that it inc...           Measuring the Scores on each S of the 7S Framework (4 reactions) Hello all, have there been parameters developed to measure a...           7S Data Collection and Analysis (3 reactions) What are some of your data collection methods for the 7 S mo...

Best Practices - 7-S Framework Here you will find the most valuable ideas.   Why are Shared Values in the Center of 7's? (11 reactions) Why are Shared Values (or Superordinate Goals) in the Center...           Applications of the 7-S Framework (5 reactions) While some models of organizational effectiveness go in and ...           Communication Problems in the 7S Model of McKinsey (1 reactions) How do you link the 7S Model to problems related to communi...           Limiting choice of 'S' in 7S Framework? (5 reactions) While reading for my management course, I couldn't help but ...           McKinsey 7S in Fast Changing Environment: A DYNAMIC 7S Model? (11 reactions) Given that the business environment is changing all the time...           Guiding a Change Program with 7-S Model (7 reactions) How can the 7-S model be used to inform or guide a change pr...           Extra S-es in the 7S Framework by McKinsey (3 reactions) I was able to utlize the 7S model very effectively to conduc...           Does the 7-S Model still holds true today? (14 reactions) Does the 7-S Model still holds true in today's business envi...

Expert Tips - 7-S Framework Here you will find high-quality advice from experts.   7S Checklist with Questions for Each S Firm Analysis, Organizational Analysis...       Categorizing the S-es in McKinsey's 7-S Model Strategy, Strategic Change, 7S Implementation...       How to Identify Potential Problem Areas in 7S? Strategy, Strategic Change, 7S Implementation...       Improved 8S Framework for Strategy Execution Strategy, Strategic Change, 7S Implementation...

Resources - 7-S Framework Here you will find powerpoint presentations, micro-learning videos and further information sources. Original Article Introducing the 7S Framework History of 7S Framework...   McKinsey's Approach to Problem Solving Consultancy, Organizational Analysis and Change...   7-S Framework Analyzing the state of an organization...     News about 7-s Framework Mckinsey         News about Mckinsey Concept         Videos about 7-s Framework Mckinsey         Videos about Mckinsey Concept         Presentations about 7-s Framework Mckinsey         Presentations about Mckinsey Concept         Books about 7-s Framework Mckinsey         Books about Mckinsey Concept         More about 7-s Framework Mckinsey         More about Mckinsey Concept

Compare with the 7-S Framework: Causal Model of Organizational Performance and Change  |  Ashridge Mission Model  |  Strategic Alignment  |  McKinsey Matrix

Return to Management Hub: Change & Organization  |  Ethics & Responsibility  |  Marketing  |  Strategy

More Management Methods, Models and Theory