Applying McKinsey's 7 S Model to a Business Analysis Practice

There are many techniques and frameworks available to business analysts but we rarely apply them to business analysis itself. We use analytical techniques to help our customers to improve their work but we don’t think about applying them to ourselves.

Yet there are plenty of opportunities to do so, such as drawing a use case diagram of the BA services; building a Rich Picture of a BA function; analysing the SWOT for a BA or defining the business perspectives within a BA team. The list goes on!

McKinsey’s 7 S Model

One of the frameworks I find useful when thinking through business changes or improvements is McKinsey's 7 S model. It is relatively straightforward and easy to remember (there are seven elements and they all begin with S). The model covers important areas, including those often overlooked, areas that might benefit from improvement or clarification.

Here’s how we can apply the framework to a Business Analysis Practice of any size, to identify areas where we can improve.

Shared Values

The beating heart of any organisation. We should know what we stand for as a BA Practice (we might even want to analyse different world views).  

Strategy

The medium to longer term approach for developing the Practice and working with customers. We should know what we are going to offer as services to customers and how these will help the Practice and our customers, to succeed.

Structure

The roles, grades, specialisms, teams, that form the Practice. We should know how the BAs will be managed and the career development pathways that should exist.

Systems 

The processes, templates, standards, tools used by Practice members to carry out BA work. We should know how we are going to govern and undertake the business analysis work, while accepting that adaptation may be required.

Style

The way in which we work together and engage with customers. We should know the different elements that contribute to the Practice style; the cultural web can be a great framework for thinking about this and identifying where issues might arise.

Staff

The number of BAs to be employed within the Practice, at different levels of seniority and skill. We should know the staffing needs of the Practice if we are to be able to offer the required services.

Skills

The competencies, knowledge, qualifications and experiences offered by the BAs within the Practice. We should know what levels of skill and experience are required to carry out the services to be offered by the Practice.

McKinsey’s 7 S Model can be helpful when analysing teams, individuals – possibly even the BA profession itself. Let's not waste the tools we have in our toolkit - instead, let's use them and do business analysis to improve business analysis!

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 McKinsey 7 S: http://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/enduring-ideas-the-7-s-framework