How do you conduct a McKinsey 7S analysis?

1 Define the scope and objective

The first step is to define the scope and objective of your analysis. What is the purpose of your assessment? What are the main questions you want to answer? Who are the stakeholders involved? How will you use the results? Depending on your context, you may want to focus on a specific business unit, function, project, or process within your organization. You may also want to compare your organization with a competitor or a best practice example.

3 Evaluate the current state

The third step is to evaluate the current state of your organization based on the data you collected. You should assess how well each element is performing and how aligned they are with each other. You can use a rating scale, such as 1-5 or A-F, to rank each element and their alignment. You should also identify the gaps, inconsistencies, or conflicts between the elements. For example, you may find that your strategy is not supported by your structure, or that your skills are not aligned with your systems.

4 Identify the desired state

The fourth step is to identify the desired state of your organization based on your objective and vision. You should define what you want to achieve and how you want to operate in the future. You should also consider the external factors that may affect your organization, such as market trends, customer needs, or regulatory changes. You should specify what changes you need to make in each element and how they will support your goal. For example, you may want to modify your strategy, restructure your organization, or develop new skills.

5 Develop an action plan

The fifth step is to develop an action plan to bridge the gap between the current and the desired state. You should prioritize the actions based on their impact and feasibility. You should also assign roles and responsibilities, set timelines and milestones, and allocate resources and budget. You should communicate your plan to the relevant stakeholders and get their feedback and buy-in. You should also monitor and measure your progress and adjust your plan as needed.

6 Implement and sustain

The final step is to implement and sustain your action plan. You should execute your actions with commitment and consistency. You should also evaluate your results and outcomes against your objective and expectations. You should celebrate your successes and learn from your failures. You should also embed and reinforce the changes in your organization's culture and behavior. You should review and update your analysis periodically to ensure that your organization remains aligned and adaptable.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?