What are some best practices for using the McKinsey 7S framework to align your organization for change?

1 Assess your current state

Before you can plan and implement change, you need to understand where you are and where you want to go. The McKinsey 7S framework can help you assess your current state by analyzing how well each of the seven elements supports your vision, mission, and goals. You can use a 7S checklist, a 7S matrix, or a 7S diagram to map out your current situation and identify any gaps, inconsistencies, or strengths.

2 Define your desired state

Once you have a clear picture of your current state, you need to define your desired state. This is where you articulate your vision for the future, your strategic objectives, and your key performance indicators. You also need to align your desired state with the external environment, such as market trends, customer needs, and competitors. You can use the same tools as before to map out your desired state and compare it with your current state.

3 Plan and prioritize your actions

Now that you have a gap analysis between your current and desired states, you need to plan and prioritize your actions to close the gap. You need to consider which of the seven elements are most critical for achieving your desired state, and which ones are most difficult or costly to change. You also need to consider the interdependencies and trade-offs among the elements, and how they will affect each other. You can use a 7S action plan template, a 7S roadmap, or a 7S scorecard to outline your actions and priorities.

4 Communicate and engage your stakeholders

Change can be disruptive and stressful, so you need to communicate and engage your stakeholders throughout the process. You need to explain the rationale and benefits of the change, the expected outcomes and impacts, and the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. You also need to listen to their feedback, concerns, and suggestions, and address any resistance or barriers. You can use a 7S communication plan, a 7S stakeholder analysis, or a 7S change management model to guide your communication and engagement.

5 Implement and monitor your change

Once you have your plan and your stakeholders on board, you need to implement and monitor your change. You need to assign tasks and resources, set deadlines and milestones, and track progress and performance. You also need to adapt and adjust your plan as needed, based on the results and feedback. You can use a 7S implementation plan, a 7S dashboard, or a 7S evaluation tool to manage and measure your change.

6 Review and sustain your change

Finally, you need to review and sustain your change. You need to evaluate the outcomes and impacts of the change, the lessons learned and best practices, and the areas for improvement and further development. You also need to reinforce and embed the change in your organization's culture, systems, and processes, and ensure that it is aligned with your vision, mission, and goals. You can use a 7S review report, a 7S feedback survey, or a 7S sustainability plan to review and sustain your change.

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?