The McKinsey 7S Framework is a strategic management tool developed by McKinsey & Company in the 1980s.

It is used to analyse and improve an organization’s effectiveness by examining seven interdependent elements: Strategy, Structure, Systems, Shared Values, Style, Staff, and Skills.

These elements are divided into two categories: 

• Hard elements: Strategy, Structure, and Systems (tangible and easy to define). 
• Soft elements: Shared Values, Style, Staff, and Skills (intangible and related to culture and behaviour). 

The framework emphasizes the interconnectedness of these elements, highlighting that changes in one area often ripple through the others.  

How should I use it with a mentoring client?

It is widely used by business mentors to align an organisation’s operations and ensure all components work cohesively to achieve goals.  It can be applied in a range of scenarios: : 

• Organisational change to assess readiness for transformation and ensure key elements are aligned. 
• Strategy development and execution to align the organisation’s internal workings with strategic objectives. 
• Performance improvement to identify bottlenecks or misalignments affecting efficiency or effectiveness. 
• Mergers and acquisitions to evaluate cultural and operational compatibility between organisations. 
• Crisis management to identify weak points and take corrective action during turbulent times. 

Download the below PDF for more information and a matching client template.