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You will have most likely heard of the Boston Consulting Group matrix (or BCG matrix), if not you can read about it in our BCG Blog ! However the GE matrix is considered by many to be an extension, and even an improvement of that model. Like the BCG, the GE matrix helps you to determine how to allocate resources but it allows more flexibility.
The GE matrix was developed by Mckinsey and Company consultancy group in the 1970s. The nine cell grid measures business unit strength against industry attractiveness and this is the key difference. Whereas BCG is limited to products, business units can be products, whole product lines, a service or even a brand. You can plot these chosen units on the grid and this will help you to determine which strategy to apply.
Before you can plot anything on the grid however first you need to decide how you will determine both industry attractiveness and business unit strength.
Industry Attractiveness:
Factors you could choose to base this on include:
Market size
Market growth
Technological
Environmental
Competitive rivalry
Buyer power
Supplier power
Threat of new entrants
Threat of substitution
You need to decide which factors you will use as a determining factor as these will be applied to ALL business units.
Step 1: Decide on determining factors
Step 2: Give each factor a weighting number based on its magnitude (make the total weight of all factors add up to 1.00 or 10.00 for example)
Step 3: Rate each business unit against each factor on a scale. For example 1 – 5 where 1 is extremely attractive and 5 is extremely unattractive.
Step 4: Give each business unit a weighted rating on each factor by multiplying its rating by the weight for that factor.
Step 5: Total up all the weighted ratings for each business unit.
Business Unit Strength:
Factors to determine how strong a unit is compared to others in its industry include:
Market share
Growth in market share
Brand equity
Profit margins compared to competition
Distribution channel process – the strength of
Repeat steps 1 to 5 here.
Now you have the measurements you can plot your business units on the GE matrix and depending on where they are plotted will determine your strategy from one of the following:
Grow/Invest :
Units that land in this section of the grid generally have high market share and promise high returns in the future so should be invested in.
Hold/Selectivity :
Units that land in this section of the grid can be ambiguous and should only be invested in if there is money left over after investing in the profitable units.
Harvest/Divest:
Poor performing units in an unattractive industry end up in this section of the grid. This should only be invested in if they can make more money than is put into them. Otherwise they should be liquidated.
As you can see this model is very useful for analysing your business units against multiple factors rather than the 2 dimensional approach of the BCG. In doing so you will have a starting point in which to build your strategy for allocating resources and expanding products.
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This tool, developed by General Electric, maps the external industry vs. the internal firm's forces using multiple factors to determine grid placement. It is a systematic perception measurement used to determine the attractiveness of the industry and the business strengths of the firm. The grid can be used to identify the strategic development of the product and evaluation of market share. The value of this tool lies in its power to allow an organization to analyze potential new products' or existing products' relationships to business opportunities, environmental threats and the firm's strengths and weaknesses. The tool provides an annualized evaluation of the effectiveness and performance of long-term strategic planning.
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BCG Matrix Vs. GE Matrix
Both are strategic frameworks developed to device a product development strategy . Through a model where companies look to prioritize products that can turn into high market shares and high margins businesses, the BCG does that. The GE Matrix focuses on prioritizing products with a high industry attractiveness and a high competitive strength of the business unit.
Aspect
The BCG Matrix is a strategic planning tool that helps companies analyze their product portfolio in terms of market growth rate and relative market share. This analysis helps identify where to allocate resources for maximum profitability.
The GE Matrix, also known as the McKinsey Matrix, is a strategic tool used to evaluate business units or products based on two dimensions: industry attractiveness and business unit strength. Its purpose is to prioritize investment decisions.
The BCG Matrix categorizes products or business units into four categories: Stars, Cash Cows, Question Marks (or Problem Children), and Dogs. Each category represents a different stage in a product’s lifecycle and requires a specific strategy.
The GE Matrix uses a 9-cell grid, with three levels of industry attractiveness (high, medium, and low) and three levels of business unit strength (strong, medium, and weak). Business units are positioned within this grid, resulting in nine possible cells.
The BCG Matrix primarily focuses on a company’s products and their position in the market. It emphasizes market share and market growth as the key factors for analysis.
The GE Matrix takes a broader approach. In addition to assessing business unit strength, it considers industry attractiveness as a critical factor. This broader perspective allows for a more comprehensive evaluation.
In the BCG Matrix, market growth rate measures the industry’s potential for growth. High growth rates indicate opportunities, while low rates suggest maturity or decline.
The GE Matrix assesses industry attractiveness to identify growth opportunities. Factors such as market size, market growth rate, and competitive intensity are considered.
The BCG Matrix analyzes a product’s or business unit’s market share relative to its competitors. A high market share indicates a strong competitive position.
The GE Matrix evaluates business unit strength, considering various factors like market share, profitability, technological capabilities, and competitive advantage.
The BCG Matrix offers specific strategic recommendations for each category: – : Invest heavily to maintain growth. – : Harvest profits and reinvest selectively. – : Decide whether to invest for growth or divest. – : Consider divestiture or harvesting.
The GE Matrix recommends different strategies for business units in various cells: – : Allocate resources to business units in strong industry positions. – : Strengthen business units with the potential for future growth. – : Maintain current positions with moderate investment. – : Maximize short-term cash flow from mature businesses. – : Sell or liquidate business units with low potential.
The BCG Matrix has some limitations: – It may oversimplify complex business situations. – It focuses solely on market share and growth and neglects other critical factors. – It doesn’t provide guidance on how to assess industry attractiveness.
The GE Matrix also has limitations: – It requires subjective assessments of industry attractiveness and business unit strength. – It can be resource-intensive to implement and maintain, especially for large organizations.
The BCG Matrix was developed by the Boston Consulting Group in the early 1970s as a tool for managing a diversified portfolio of businesses.
The GE Matrix, also known as the McKinsey Matrix, was developed by General Electric in the 1980s as part of its strategic planning process.
Table of Contents
GE McKinsey Matrix
Key Similarities between BCG Matrix and GE McKinsey Matrix:
Portfolio Analysis: Both BCG Matrix and GE McKinsey Matrix are portfolio analysis tools used to assess a company’s product portfolio or business units. They provide a structured approach for evaluating and prioritizing different elements within the portfolio.
Strategic Decision Making: Both frameworks aim to guide strategic decision making by helping companies allocate resources, identify growth opportunities, and determine the appropriate strategy for each product or business unit.
Growth Focus: Both matrices consider growth as a critical factor in assessing the potential of products or business units. They identify high-growth areas that may require more investment and low-growth areas that might need to be managed differently.
Market Share Consideration: Both models take market share into account when evaluating products or business units. Market share is an essential aspect of determining their current position and potential future performance.
Key Differences between BCG Matrix and GE McKinsey Matrix:
Origin and Creator: The BCG Matrix was developed by Bruce D. Henderson of the Boston Consulting Group, while the GE McKinsey Matrix was developed by McKinsey & Company for General Electric.
Factors for Assessment: The BCG Matrix assesses products based on their potential growth (market growth rate) and current market share, categorizing them into stars, cash cows, question marks, and dogs. In contrast, the GE McKinsey Matrix evaluates business units based on two factors: industry attractiveness (market growth rate, market size, profitability) and competitive strength (market share, brand strength, technological capabilities).
Application: The BCG Matrix is mainly used for product portfolio analysis , while the GE McKinsey Matrix is used for business unit portfolio analysis . The BCG Matrix focuses on individual products, while the GE McKinsey Matrix looks at business units as a whole.
Categories and Recommendations: The BCG Matrix categorizes products into four distinct categories (stars, cash cows, question marks, and dogs) with specific strategic recommendations for each category. The GE McKinsey Matrix categorizes business units into three scenarios (invest, protect, harvest/divest) with corresponding strategies for resource allocation and management.
Degree of Detail: The BCG Matrix provides a simpler, high-level view of the product portfolio, making it easier to understand and apply. The GE McKinsey Matrix offers a more comprehensive and nuanced analysis of business units, considering multiple factors that contribute to their attractiveness and competitive strength.
BCG Matrix Examples :
Stars : iPhone (High market growth rate, high market share)
Question Marks : New flavored beverages or experimental products
Dogs : Tab (which they discontinued)
Stars : Azure (Cloud Computing Services)
Cash Cows : Microsoft Office Suite
Question Marks : Newer software or experimental products
Dogs : Windows Phone
GE McKinsey Matrix Examples :
Invest : Electric vehicles (High industry attractiveness due to increasing demand, strong competitive strength due to technology and brand )
Protect : SUVs (Moderate industry attractiveness, strong competitive strength)
Harvest/Divest : Traditional Sedans (Low industry attractiveness due to declining market, weaker competitive strength)
Invest : PlayStation gaming consoles (High industry attractiveness in the gaming market, strong competitive strength due to brand loyalty and technology)
Protect : Sony Pictures (Moderate industry attractiveness in the entertainment industry, moderate competitive strength)
Harvest/Divest : Older electronic gadgets or those with declining demand
Invest : Sustainable and organic personal care products (High industry attractiveness due to growing demand for green products, strong competitive strength because of R&D and branding)
Protect : Established brands like Dove and Axe (Moderate industry attractiveness, strong competitive strength due to brand recognition)
Harvest/Divest : Outdated product lines or those with declining consumer interest
Key Highlights :
Both BCG and GE McKinsey Matrix are strategic frameworks to guide product development strategy .
BCG prioritizes products with potential for high market shares and margins.
GE McKinsey focuses on products with high industry attractiveness and business unit competitive strength.
Developed in the 1970s by Bruce D. Henderson of the Boston Consulting Group.
Evaluates products based on potential growth and market shares.
Categories: cash cows, pets (dogs), question marks, and stars.
Developed in the 1970s by McKinsey & Company for General Electric.
A strategy tool guiding corporations on business unit investment priorities.
Scenarios: invest, protect, harvest, and divest.
Portfolio Analysis : Both are tools for assessing a company’s portfolio (products or business units).
Strategic Decision Making : They guide companies in resource allocation, identifying growth opportunities, and strategizing.
Growth Focus : Both matrices consider growth essential in evaluating products/business units.
Market Share : Both models incorporate market share in their assessments.
Origin and Creator : BCG Matrix was by Boston Consulting Group, while GE McKinsey was by McKinsey & Company for GE.
BCG: Potential growth and market share.
GE McKinsey: Industry attractiveness and business unit competitive strength.
BCG: Product portfolio analysis .
GE McKinsey: Business unit portfolio analysis .
BCG: Four categories (stars, cash cows, question marks, dogs).
GE McKinsey: Three scenarios (invest, protect, harvest/divest).
BCG: Simpler, high-level view.
GE McKinsey: More detailed, considering multiple factors.
Related Frameworks, Models, or Concepts
Description
When to Apply
– The BCG Matrix, or Boston Consulting Group Matrix, is a strategic tool used for portfolio analysis. – It classifies a company’s products or services into four categories: Stars (high market share, high growth rate), Question Marks (low market share, high growth rate), Cash Cows (high market share, low growth rate), and Dogs (low market share, low growth rate). – The BCG Matrix helps in resource allocation, strategic planning, and identifying investment priorities.
– When analyzing a company’s product portfolio and allocating resources effectively. – To identify growth opportunities and investment priorities. – To make strategic decisions about product development, divestment, or market expansion.
– The GE Matrix, or General Electric Matrix, is a strategic tool used for portfolio analysis similar to the BCG Matrix. – It evaluates business units based on their market attractiveness and competitive strength. – The GE Matrix consists of nine cells, with each cell representing a combination of market attractiveness and competitive strength. – It helps in prioritizing investment, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making.
– When assessing the attractiveness of different markets and the competitive position of business units. – To prioritize investment and resource allocation based on market attractiveness and competitive strength. – To make strategic decisions about divestment, acquisition, or market entry strategies.
– The Ansoff Matrix is a strategic tool for identifying growth opportunities by analyzing four growth strategies: market penetration, market development, product development, and diversification. – It helps in assessing risk and identifying strategic growth options for businesses.
– When seeking to identify growth opportunities and develop strategic plans. – To analyze potential risks and benefits of different growth strategies. – To align business objectives with market opportunities and capabilities.
– SWOT Analysis is a strategic planning tool used to identify a company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. – It helps in assessing internal capabilities and external factors affecting the business. – SWOT Analysis is often used for strategic decision-making, business planning, and competitive analysis.
– When conducting strategic planning and business analysis. – To identify internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. – To develop strategies that leverage strengths, mitigate weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities, and address threats.
– Porter’s Five Forces is a framework for analyzing the competitive forces in an industry. – It assesses the threat of new entrants, bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of substitute products or services, and intensity of competitive rivalry. – Porter’s Five Forces helps in understanding industry dynamics and formulating competitive strategies.
– When assessing the attractiveness of an industry or market. – To understand the competitive forces shaping industry profitability. – To develop strategies to position the business effectively within the industry.
– Value Chain Analysis is a framework for analyzing a company’s activities to identify value-adding processes and activities. – It divides a company’s activities into primary activities (such as production and distribution) and support activities (such as human resources and procurement). – Value Chain Analysis helps in understanding cost drivers, competitive advantage, and opportunities for efficiency improvement.
– When analyzing a company’s internal operations and value creation processes. – To identify opportunities for cost reduction, differentiation, or value enhancement. – To optimize internal processes and create competitive advantage.
– The Balanced Scorecard is a strategic management framework used to translate vision and strategy into actionable objectives and measures. – It consists of four perspectives: financial, customer, internal business processes, and learning and growth. – The Balanced Scorecard helps in aligning strategic objectives with key performance indicators and monitoring performance across multiple dimensions.
– When translating strategic objectives into measurable outcomes. – To align organizational goals and initiatives with strategic priorities. – To monitor and evaluate performance across financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth perspectives.
– Blue Ocean Strategy focuses on creating uncontested market space and making competition irrelevant. – It involves innovating new products or services and differentiating from competitors in meaningful ways. – Blue Ocean Strategy encourages businesses to shift from competing in existing market spaces to creating new ones.
– When seeking to differentiate from competitors and create new market opportunities. – To identify untapped market spaces and innovate new products or services. – To drive innovation, growth, and value creation within the organization.
– The Value Proposition Canvas is a tool for designing and analyzing value propositions. – It helps in understanding customer needs, pains, and gains, as well as how products or services create value for customers. – The Value Proposition Canvas consists of two sides: the customer profile (needs, pains, gains) and the value map (products, services, gains, pains relievers).
– When designing or refining value propositions for products or services. – To understand customer needs, pains, and gains, and how to address them effectively. – To create compelling value propositions that resonate with target customers.
– Customer Journey Mapping is a tool for visualizing and understanding the customer’s experience across touchpoints and interactions with a company. – It helps in identifying pain points, opportunities for improvement, and moments of truth in the customer journey. – Customer Journey Mapping enables businesses to design customer-centric experiences and improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
– When analyzing and improving the customer experience across touchpoints. – To understand customer needs, preferences, and behaviors throughout their journey. – To design and deliver seamless, personalized, and engaging customer experiences.
Read Next: BCG Matrix , GE McKinsey Matrix .
Related Strategy Concepts: Go-To-Market Strategy , Marketing Strategy , Business Models , Tech Business Models , Jobs-To-Be Done , Design Thinking , Lean Startup Canvas , Value Chain , Value Proposition Canvas , Balanced Scorecard , Business Model Canvas , SWOT Analysis , Growth Hacking , Bundling , Unbundling , Bootstrapping , Venture Capital , Porter’s Five Forces , Porter’s Generic Strategies , Ansoff Matrix .
More Strategy Tools: Porter’s Five Forces , PESTEL Analysis , SWOT , Porter’s Diamond Model , Ansoff , Technology Adoption Curve , TOWS , SOAR , Balanced Scorecard , OKR , Agile Methodology , Value Proposition , VTDF Framework .
Connected Strategy Frameworks
ADKAR Model
Ansoff Matrix
Business Model Canvas
Lean Startup Canvas
Blitzscaling Canvas
Blue Ocean Strategy
Business Analysis Framework
Balanced Scorecard
Blue Ocean Strategy
GAP Analysis
GE McKinsey Model
McKinsey 7-S Model
McKinsey’s Seven Degrees
McKinsey Horizon Model
Porter’s Five Forces
Porter’s Generic Strategies
Porter’s Value Chain Model
Porter’s Diamond Model
SWOT Analysis
PESTEL Analysis
Scenario Planning
STEEPLE Analysis
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Org. Structures
The Elusive Breed: Organizational Effectiveness Practitioners in the HR Landscape
Bridging the gap: aligning organizational effectiveness and organizational development for sustainable success, unlock your potential: crafting a captivating employee value proposition for your organization, unlocking organizational effectiveness: where practitioners and consultants converge.
Blog by Dr. Arpita Sen
Talent Ignition: Firing Up Organizational Effectiveness with Data-Driven Talent Management
Organizational Alchemists: How In-House OE Practitioners Transmute Trust into Transformative Change
Unveiling general electric’s 9-box grid framework: a strategic tool for talent management and industry insights.
Human Resource
In the dynamic landscape of talent management, strategic tools that aid in identifying and developing high-potential employees are essential for organizational success. General Electric (GE), a global conglomerate, introduced the 9-Box Grid Framework, a seminal tool for talent assessment. This framework has not only become a hallmark of GE’s human resources strategy but has also inspired other organizations to adopt similar approaches to align their workforce with strategic objectives.
Understanding the 9-Box Grid Framework
The 9-Box Grid Framework is a matrix that classifies employees based on their performance and potential. Originating from GE’s practice, this matrix is divided into three performance categories (low, medium, and high) and three potential categories (low, medium, and high), resulting in a 3×3 grid. Each intersection represents a specific segment of the employee population, providing a comprehensive overview of the talent within an organization.
Original 9-Box Grid:
The “original” 9-Box Grid is typically associated with General Electric (GE), where it gained prominence as a talent management tool. Developed in the 1970s, it has a historical significance as one of the earliest talent assessment frameworks.
In the original 9-Box Grid, employees are evaluated based on two key factors: their current performance and their potential for future growth and advancement within the organization.
Originally designed for succession planning, the grid helps identify high-potential individuals who can be groomed for leadership positions, ensuring a continuous pipeline of capable leaders.
9-Box Talent Grid:
The term “9-Box Talent Grid” may be used to signify a modernized or adapted version of the original framework. Organizations might introduce modifications to align with contemporary talent management practices.
Some variations of the 9-Box Talent Grid include the consideration of specific competencies or skills, providing a more detailed assessment of an employee’s capabilities beyond the original performance and potential criteria.
The “talent” aspect in the term might emphasize a broader view of talent, suggesting a more flexible and customizable approach to assessing and developing individuals within an organization.
Key Similarities:
Both the original 9-Box Grid and the 9-Box Talent Grid maintain a matrix structure, dividing employees into categories based on their performance and potential.
The primary purpose of both frameworks is to identify and categorize employees, particularly high-potential individuals, to inform talent management strategies, succession planning, and development programs.
Both models aim to align the organization’s workforce with strategic goals, ensuring that the talent composition supports long-term objectives.
Components of 9 box grid:
Performance Categories:
High Performers (Top Row): Employees who consistently exceed performance expectations.
Medium Performers (Middle Row): Employees who meet performance expectations.
Low Performers (Bottom Row): Employees who struggle to meet performance expectations.
Potential Categories:
High Potential (Right Column): Employees who show promise and potential for growth and advancement.
Medium Potential (Middle Column): Employees with moderate growth potential.
Low Potential (Left Column): Employees with limited growth potential.
Application of the 9-Box Grid Framework
Talent Identification: The 9-Box Grid helps organizations identify high-potential individuals who can contribute significantly to the company’s future success. This identification facilitates targeted development programs to nurture and retain top talent.
Succession Planning: By assessing both performance and potential, organizations can create a roadmap for succession planning. High-performing, high-potential employees can be groomed for leadership roles, ensuring a smooth transition when key positions become vacant.
Performance Management: The framework aids in making informed decisions about performance improvement plans, training initiatives, and talent realignment. Managers can tailor their approach based on an individual’s current performance and potential for growth.
Strategic Workforce Planning: Aligning the 9-Box Grid with strategic business goals allows organizations to ensure that their workforce composition supports long-term objectives. It enables a proactive approach to workforce planning, anticipating future talent needs rather than reacting to immediate requirements.
Employee Development: Employees falling into the high-potential category with moderate current performance can be targeted for specific development programs. This ensures that they are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in future roles.
Challenges and Considerations
While the 9-Box Grid Framework is a powerful tool, its effectiveness depends on accurate and unbiased assessments. Challenges may arise if the criteria for performance and potential are not clearly defined or if there is a lack of objectivity in the evaluation process. Additionally, the framework should be dynamic and regularly reviewed to reflect changes in individual performance and potential.
Pros and Cons of the 9-Box Grid in Talent Management
Pro: The 9-Box Grid provides a clear visual representation of both an individual’s current performance and potential, aiding in straightforward talent assessment.
Pro: It excels at identifying high-potential individuals, allowing organizations to nurture and invest in the future leaders of the company.
Pro: Enables effective succession planning by identifying and grooming high-performing, high-potential employees for leadership roles.
Pro: Aligning the grid with strategic goals helps organizations ensure that their workforce composition supports long-term objectives.
Pro: Provides a structured approach to decision-making, reducing biases and subjectivity in talent assessment.
Con: The 9-Box Grid may oversimplify talent by reducing it to a two-dimensional representation, potentially neglecting nuanced skills and qualities.
Con: The framework can be static, potentially missing real-time changes in an employee’s performance or potential.
Con: Without careful calibration, there is a risk of bias in assessments, leading to inaccurate placement of individuals on the grid.
Con: The grid may not capture the full spectrum of employee nuances, such as specialized skills or contributions to team dynamics.
Other Models and Frameworks:
Outweighs Cons: The Balanced Scorecard considers financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth perspectives, providing a more comprehensive view of organizational performance.
Outweighs Cons: By incorporating specific competencies into the grid, organizations can address the oversimplification concern, offering a more detailed evaluation.
Outweighs Cons: Gathering feedback from multiple sources provides a holistic understanding of an employee’s performance and potential, mitigating biases.
Integration with Other Models:
The 9-Box Grid can be used in conjunction with other models, such as the Balanced Scorecard and 360-Degree Feedback, to create a more holistic talent management approach.
Organizations can tailor the 9-Box Grid to incorporate specific competencies or performance metrics from other models, ensuring a more customized and nuanced assessment.
Step-wise Implementation for Talent Management and Succession Planning:
Clearly define the criteria for performance and potential, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Train assessors to ensure consistency and minimize biases. Regular calibration sessions can help fine-tune evaluations.
Customize the 9-Box Grid to include competencies or metrics relevant to the organization’s unique needs.
Explore ways to integrate the 9-Box Grid with other models, fostering a comprehensive approach to talent management.
Periodically review and update the grid to reflect changes in employee performance and potential, maintaining its relevance.
Implement a robust feedback mechanism, incorporating inputs from multiple sources for a more comprehensive talent assessment.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, allowing the talent management system to evolve based on organizational needs and industry trends.
By carefully considering the pros and cons, integrating with other models, and following a step-wise implementation approach, organizations can leverage the 9-Box Grid effectively for talent management and succession planning, ensuring a well-rounded and forward-thinking workforce.
Industry Insights: Companies Embracing Similar Frameworks
Microsoft’s Nine-Box Performance and Potential Matrix: Microsoft, a technology giant, has adopted a nine-box matrix similar to GE’s for talent assessment. By evaluating both performance and potential, Microsoft identifies individuals who not only excel in their current roles but also have the capability to take on higher responsibilities in the future.
Procter & Gamble’s Talent Marketplace: Procter & Gamble (P&G) utilizes a talent marketplace model, akin to the principles of the 9-Box Grid, to identify and develop high-potential employees. This model emphasizes cross-functional experiences, allowing employees to showcase their potential for growth in various roles within the organization.
Coca-Cola’s Leadership Pipeline Assessment: Coca-Cola employs a leadership pipeline assessment that considers both current performance and future potential. By doing so, the company ensures a steady flow of talent into leadership positions, aligning its workforce with the strategic goals of the organization.
General Electric’s 9-Box Grid Framework remains a cornerstone in the field of talent management. By providing a structured approach to evaluating employees based on both performance and potential, organizations can make strategic decisions that foster growth, innovation, and success. As businesses evolve, the 9-Box Grid continues to be a valuable tool for aligning talent with organizational objectives and ensuring a resilient and forward-thinking workforce.
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MoSCoW Prioritization
What is moscow prioritization.
MoSCoW prioritization, also known as the MoSCoW method or MoSCoW analysis, is a popular prioritization technique for managing requirements.
The acronym MoSCoW represents four categories of initiatives: must-have, should-have, could-have, and won’t-have, or will not have right now. Some companies also use the “W” in MoSCoW to mean “wish.”
What is the History of the MoSCoW Method?
Software development expert Dai Clegg created the MoSCoW method while working at Oracle. He designed the framework to help his team prioritize tasks during development work on product releases.
You can find a detailed account of using MoSCoW prioritization in the Dynamic System Development Method (DSDM) handbook . But because MoSCoW can prioritize tasks within any time-boxed project, teams have adapted the method for a broad range of uses.
How Does MoSCoW Prioritization Work?
Before running a MoSCoW analysis, a few things need to happen. First, key stakeholders and the product team need to get aligned on objectives and prioritization factors. Then, all participants must agree on which initiatives to prioritize.
At this point, your team should also discuss how they will settle any disagreements in prioritization. If you can establish how to resolve disputes before they come up, you can help prevent those disagreements from holding up progress.
Finally, you’ll also want to reach a consensus on what percentage of resources you’d like to allocate to each category.
With the groundwork complete, you may begin determining which category is most appropriate for each initiative. But, first, let’s further break down each category in the MoSCoW method.
Start prioritizing your roadmap
Moscow prioritization categories.
1. Must-have initiatives
As the name suggests, this category consists of initiatives that are “musts” for your team. They represent non-negotiable needs for the project, product, or release in question. For example, if you’re releasing a healthcare application, a must-have initiative may be security functionalities that help maintain compliance.
The “must-have” category requires the team to complete a mandatory task. If you’re unsure about whether something belongs in this category, ask yourself the following.
If the product won’t work without an initiative, or the release becomes useless without it, the initiative is most likely a “must-have.”
2. Should-have initiatives
Should-have initiatives are just a step below must-haves. They are essential to the product, project, or release, but they are not vital. If left out, the product or project still functions. However, the initiatives may add significant value.
“Should-have” initiatives are different from “must-have” initiatives in that they can get scheduled for a future release without impacting the current one. For example, performance improvements, minor bug fixes, or new functionality may be “should-have” initiatives. Without them, the product still works.
3. Could-have initiatives
Another way of describing “could-have” initiatives is nice-to-haves. “Could-have” initiatives are not necessary to the core function of the product. However, compared with “should-have” initiatives, they have a much smaller impact on the outcome if left out.
So, initiatives placed in the “could-have” category are often the first to be deprioritized if a project in the “should-have” or “must-have” category ends up larger than expected.
4. Will not have (this time)
One benefit of the MoSCoW method is that it places several initiatives in the “will-not-have” category. The category can manage expectations about what the team will not include in a specific release (or another timeframe you’re prioritizing).
Placing initiatives in the “will-not-have” category is one way to help prevent scope creep . If initiatives are in this category, the team knows they are not a priority for this specific time frame.
Some initiatives in the “will-not-have” group will be prioritized in the future, while others are not likely to happen. Some teams decide to differentiate between those by creating a subcategory within this group.
How Can Development Teams Use MoSCoW?
Although Dai Clegg developed the approach to help prioritize tasks around his team’s limited time, the MoSCoW method also works when a development team faces limitations other than time. For example:
Prioritize based on budgetary constraints.
What if a development team’s limiting factor is not a deadline but a tight budget imposed by the company? Working with the product managers, the team can use MoSCoW first to decide on the initiatives that represent must-haves and the should-haves. Then, using the development department’s budget as the guide, the team can figure out which items they can complete.
Prioritize based on the team’s skillsets.
A cross-functional product team might also find itself constrained by the experience and expertise of its developers. If the product roadmap calls for functionality the team does not have the skills to build, this limiting factor will play into scoring those items in their MoSCoW analysis.
Prioritize based on competing needs at the company.
Cross-functional teams can also find themselves constrained by other company priorities. The team wants to make progress on a new product release, but the executive staff has created tight deadlines for further releases in the same timeframe. In this case, the team can use MoSCoW to determine which aspects of their desired release represent must-haves and temporarily backlog everything else.
What Are the Drawbacks of MoSCoW Prioritization?
Although many product and development teams have prioritized MoSCoW, the approach has potential pitfalls. Here are a few examples.
1. An inconsistent scoring process can lead to tasks placed in the wrong categories.
One common criticism against MoSCoW is that it does not include an objective methodology for ranking initiatives against each other. Your team will need to bring this methodology to your analysis. The MoSCoW approach works only to ensure that your team applies a consistent scoring system for all initiatives.
Pro tip: One proven method is weighted scoring, where your team measures each initiative on your backlog against a standard set of cost and benefit criteria. You can use the weighted scoring approach in ProductPlan’s roadmap app .
2. Not including all relevant stakeholders can lead to items placed in the wrong categories.
To know which of your team’s initiatives represent must-haves for your product and which are merely should-haves, you will need as much context as possible.
For example, you might need someone from your sales team to let you know how important (or unimportant) prospective buyers view a proposed new feature.
One pitfall of the MoSCoW method is that you could make poor decisions about where to slot each initiative unless your team receives input from all relevant stakeholders.
3. Team bias for (or against) initiatives can undermine MoSCoW’s effectiveness.
Because MoSCoW does not include an objective scoring method, your team members can fall victim to their own opinions about certain initiatives.
One risk of using MoSCoW prioritization is that a team can mistakenly think MoSCoW itself represents an objective way of measuring the items on their list. They discuss an initiative, agree that it is a “should have,” and move on to the next.
But your team will also need an objective and consistent framework for ranking all initiatives. That is the only way to minimize your team’s biases in favor of items or against them.
When Do You Use the MoSCoW Method for Prioritization?
MoSCoW prioritization is effective for teams that want to include representatives from the whole organization in their process. You can capture a broader perspective by involving participants from various functional departments.
Another reason you may want to use MoSCoW prioritization is it allows your team to determine how much effort goes into each category. Therefore, you can ensure you’re delivering a good variety of initiatives in each release.
What Are Best Practices for Using MoSCoW Prioritization?
If you’re considering giving MoSCoW prioritization a try, here are a few steps to keep in mind. Incorporating these into your process will help your team gain more value from the MoSCoW method.
1. Choose an objective ranking or scoring system.
Remember, MoSCoW helps your team group items into the appropriate buckets—from must-have items down to your longer-term wish list. But MoSCoW itself doesn’t help you determine which item belongs in which category.
You will need a separate ranking methodology. You can choose from many, such as:
Weighted scoring
Value vs. complexity
Buy-a-feature
Opportunity scoring
For help finding the best scoring methodology for your team, check out ProductPlan’s article: 7 strategies to choose the best features for your product .
2. Seek input from all key stakeholders.
To make sure you’re placing each initiative into the right bucket—must-have, should-have, could-have, or won’t-have—your team needs context.
At the beginning of your MoSCoW method, your team should consider which stakeholders can provide valuable context and insights. Sales? Customer success? The executive staff? Product managers in another area of your business? Include them in your initiative scoring process if you think they can help you see opportunities or threats your team might miss.
3. Share your MoSCoW process across your organization.
MoSCoW gives your team a tangible way to show your organization prioritizing initiatives for your products or projects.
The method can help you build company-wide consensus for your work, or at least help you show stakeholders why you made the decisions you did.
Communicating your team’s prioritization strategy also helps you set expectations across the business. When they see your methodology for choosing one initiative over another, stakeholders in other departments will understand that your team has thought through and weighed all decisions you’ve made.
If any stakeholders have an issue with one of your decisions, they will understand that they can’t simply complain—they’ll need to present you with evidence to alter your course of action.
Related Terms
2×2 prioritization matrix / Eisenhower matrix / DACI decision-making framework / ICE scoring model / RICE scoring model
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The MoSCoW method is a prioritization technique used in management, business analysis, project management, and software development to reach a common understanding with stakeholders on the importance they place on the delivery of each requirement; it is also known as MoSCoW prioritization or MoSCoW analysis.. The term MOSCOW itself is an acronym derived from the first letter of each of four ...
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What is MoSCoW Prioritization?
MoSCoW prioritization, also known as the MoSCoW method or MoSCoW analysis, is a popular prioritization technique for managing requirements. The acronym MoSCoW represents four categories of initiatives: must-have, should-have, could-have, and won't-have, or will not have right now. Some companies also use the "W" in MoSCoW to mean "wish.".
COMMENTS
The GE-McKinsey Matrix (a.k.a. GE Matrix, General Electric Matrix, Nine-box matrix) is just like the BCG Matrix a portfolio analysis tool used in corporate strategy to analyse strategic business units or product lines based on two variables: industry attractiveness and the competitive strength of a business unit. By combining these two variables into a matrix, a corporation can plot their ...
General Electric introduced a comprehensive portfolio planning tool called a strategic business-planning grid. Like the BCG approach, it uses a matrix with two dimensions - one representing industry attractiveness (the vertical axis) and the other one representing company strength in the industry (the horizontal axis).The best businesses are those located in highly attractive industries ...
The GE McKinsey Matrix is a strategic framework that helps multi-business corporations manage portfolios and prioritize investments across products and SBUs (Strategic Business Units). GE Matrix diagram. The GE Matrix looks at two factors: the competitive strength of an SBU and the attractiveness of the market in which it operates.
The General Electric GE Matrix Model is a strategic business planning tool that assists companies in making informed decisions. This model, developed by the General Electric Company and McKinsey consultants, provides an analytical approach to portfolio management, helping businesses prioritize their product lineup in terms of market attractiveness and business unit strength.
Definition. GE-McKinsey nine-box matrix is a strategy tool that offers a systematic approach for the multi-business corporation to prioritize its investments among its business units. [1] GE-McKinsey is a framework that evaluates business portfolio, provides further strategic implications and helps to prioritize the investment needed for each business unit (BU).
GE maximizes sales based on a larger customer base. This generic competitive strategy influences other strategies and tactics in the business, such as General Electric's marketing mix or 4Ps. GE aligns its intensive growth strategies with the competitive advantage targets based on strategic differentiation objectives.
The GE / McKinsey matrix is a model used to assess the strength of a strategic business unit (SBU) of a corporation. It analyzes market attractiveness and competitive strength to determine the overall strength of an SBU. The GE Matrix is plotted in a two-dimensional, 3 x 3 grid. The Y-axis measures market attractiveness based on a high, medium ...
General Electric's portfolio planning tool.Reference: C, Arnoldo and N. Majluf, The use of industry attractiveness in business strengths in strategic plannin...
To help answer these questions, we study the history and evolution of strategic planning at the General Electric Company (GE). Since the early 1970s - if not earlier - GE has been a model and archetype for effective strategic management practices, and the introduction of portfolio planning and the implementation of the strategic business unit (SBU) concept by then-CEO Fred Borch in the early ...
General Electric Strategic Business Portfolio Planning Grid. a portfolio analysis and planning grid developed by General Electric; it uses a two-dimensional matrix based on industry attractiveness and business strength. Back to previous Rate this term +1-2. Search. Browse A-Z.
For each business in the portfolio, a circle denoting the size of the industry is shown in the 3 x 3 matrix grid while shaded portion corresponds to the company's market share as shown in Figure-1. GE's Business Planning Matrix : GE rates each of its businesses every year on such a framework. If Industry's Attractiveness as well as GE's ...
Step 2: Give each factor a weighting number based on its magnitude (make the total weight of all factors add up to 1.00 or 10.00 for example) Step 3: Rate each business unit against each factor on a scale. For example 1 - 5 where 1 is extremely attractive and 5 is extremely unattractive. Step 4: Give each business unit a weighted rating on ...
Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like what is the GE strategic planning grid?, what is on the vertical axis, what is on the horizontal axis and more. ... General Electric's Strategic Planning Grid. Flashcards; Learn; Test; Match; ... Business Operations and Decision Making. 22 terms. Hannah_Mills27. Preview. Chapter 4 ...
Strategic Business - Planning Grid. This tool, developed by General Electric, maps the external industry vs. the internal firm's forces using multiple factors to determine grid placement. It is a systematic perception measurement used to determine the attractiveness of the industry and the business strengths of the firm. The grid can be used to ...
The Evolution of Strategic Planning at the General Electric Company, 1940-2006. June 2008; Long Range Planning 41(3):248-272; ... planning, business review, financial control, budgeting and ...
The GE Matrix uses a 9-cell grid, with three levels of industry attractiveness (high, medium, and low) and three levels of business unit strength (strong, medium, and weak). ... or General Electric Matrix, is a strategic tool used for portfolio analysis similar to the BCG Matrix. - It evaluates business units based on their market ...
Strategic Workforce Planning: Aligning the 9-Box Grid with strategic business goals allows organizations to ensure that their workforce composition supports long-term objectives. It enables a proactive approach to workforce planning, anticipating future talent needs rather than reacting to immediate requirements. ... General Electric's 9-Box ...
remains committed to continued debt reduction along with strategic capital deployment • Company to host a call with investors at 8:15 am ET BOSTON - November 9, 2021 - GE (NYSE:GE) today announced its plan to form three industry-leading, global public companies focused on the growth sectors of aviation, healthcare, and energy, by: 1.
The MoSCoW method is a prioritization technique used in management, business analysis, project management, and software development to reach a common understanding with stakeholders on the importance they place on the delivery of each requirement; it is also known as MoSCoW prioritization or MoSCoW analysis.. The term MOSCOW itself is an acronym derived from the first letter of each of four ...
The Baltic states will join the Continental European (UCTE) grid on Feb. 9, 2025, the day after disconnecting from BRELL. Desynchronisation was previously planned for the end of 2025. Energy ...
25.06.2015. June 24, JSC Moscow United Electric Grid Company (part of Russian Grids state company) held the Annual General meeting of Shareholders. The owners of 44.98 bln of the company's common shares participated, which made up 92% of the voting stock. The members of the Board, Moscow Oblast energy minister, management of JSC "MOESK" and ...
MoSCoW prioritization, also known as the MoSCoW method or MoSCoW analysis, is a popular prioritization technique for managing requirements. The acronym MoSCoW represents four categories of initiatives: must-have, should-have, could-have, and won't-have, or will not have right now. Some companies also use the "W" in MoSCoW to mean "wish.".