With the complexity of business today, even the most well-executed strategies can experience misalignment, and the 7-S Framework was created to solve just those types of problems. This tool, created decades ago, helps make sense of the complexities involved with modern business operations and helps provide clear direction, variable solutions, and an easily manageable foundation for driving company changes.
What Is the 7-S Framework?
The 7-S Framework is a tool that helps organizations with their strategic management. The seven linked elements of strategy, structure, systems, shared values, style, staff, and skills are designed to work together to meet company goals.
Origins and Development
Created in the late 1970s by a group of consultants at McKinsey & Company, including Tom Peters and Robert Waterman, this framework was created through research that focused on what makes an organization successful despite changes to the business or increases in competition. Because of the complexities of modern business, the McKinsey 7-S model was developed to help define how the different parts of the company relate and work with each other.
Purpose and Importance
The overall purpose of the framework is to help companies with their organizational, structural, and behavioral issues, and is particularly necessary during times of restructuring, change, in response to external issues, or when introducing new strategies. Its importance can be seen in how it highlights the interconnection of all facets of the business and the need for an overarching approach to the management of the organization.
The Seven Elements of the 7-S Framework
- Strategy: A series of actions designed to achieve business goals and objectives and outlines how to compete in a market and react to opportunities and challenges.
- Structure: The organizational and staff system that includes specific roles, their tasks, and how information travels through a company.
- Systems: The defined and undefined actions that outline the overall operation of the business, including workflows, IT, analytical processes, and any other strategic alignment tools.
- Shared Values: The ideas and standards of business culture that help shape the official identity of the company.
- Style: The management and operation style of the company that includes communication, decisions, and the positioning of corporate culture.
- Staff: The individuals that make up the company and how they are recruited.
- Skills: The abilities of employees and the total company, including individual talents and team capabilities, to provide a competitive market advantage.
Benefits of Using the 7-S Framework
The elements above can provide a clear game plan that makes sure operations are efficient and that there is an alignment with systems and strategy for the benefit of the overall company goals.
Organizational framework examples can be seen in the retail space with companies like Walmart and Amazon developing greater efficiency and growth by linking the areas of systems, strategy and staff in improving their online and digital sales. Additionally, in healthcare, Cleveland Clinic focused on quality service to their patients by combining the shared values, strategy and style of leadership. These two examples clearly show the benefit of the framework as an organizational tool.
Steps to Implement the 7-S Framework
Assessment and Analysis
- Identify the Elements: Outline the meaning of the seven elements within the specific company as a baseline.
- Interviews and Surveys: Get operational data and feedback from management and staff through interviews, surveys, and meetings.
- Create a Road Map: Create an outline for each element that shows how they relate along with positives and negatives.
- Identify Problems: Find conflicts or missing parts between the elements and note the areas needing adjustment.
Tip: Involve a large participant pool in this phase to provide the most diverse responses.
Potential Pitfall: Do not give any one group or individual too much weighted input to avoid bias.
Developing an Action Plan
- Set Clear Objectives: Establish how to define success for each element and note how they relate to company goals.
- Prioritize Efforts: Note the areas that will have the most impact or are likely to underperform and focus on those parts.
- Develop Change Strategies: Set specific steps to address areas that are lacking and implement individual solutions for those steps.
- Timelines and Responsibilities: Create deadline-driven goals and make specific individuals accountable for those responsibilities.
Tip: Establish cooperative teams to drive more successful and collaborative efforts.
Potential Pitfall: Carefully watch the various elements to ensure that changes in one area do not create problems in another.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Metrics: Create systems to measure ongoing progress for each element to ensure the system is working.
- Progress Reviews: Perform regular reviews on the success of changes and look for indicators of elements needing adjustment.
- Adapt When Necessary: Understand that the process will constantly evolve and prepare to adjust strategies when necessary.
- Communicate: Regularly meet with individuals involved to discuss progress and necessary changes in business strategy models.
Tip: Look at technology for assistance in monitoring the results of performance changes.
Potential Pitfall: Neglecting less critical elements like style and staff and placing too much emphasis on others may skew the results and limit success.
Operational Success with the 7-S Framework
The 7-S Framework helps ensure companies are positioned for operational success within the most critical parts of their business. The seven fundamental elements offer a thorough system for avoiding challenges, making strategic and effective changes, and avoiding misalignments. Take a moment to consider your organization, look for inefficiencies, note areas needing improvement, and consider how the 7-S Framework could make a difference in your strategic growth plans.