This model is frequently used in strategy and help an organization to realize its strengths and position to maximize its potential. The model itself is simple, but do not let this put you off. When the seven elements are considered together, they can produce very powerful outcomes. Business is primarily focused on increasing profit i.e. is like a game where the final number needs to be bigger. By keeping things simple, targets can be understood and met. Over complication in the majority of cases hinders success. Always consider using the 7 S Model in strategic planning.
7 internal aspects of organization that need to be aligned for success
The 7 S Model was created by McKinsey in the 1980s.
The 7 S are:
Structure
Strategy The Hard Values
Systems
Shared Values The Central Value
Skills
Staff The Soft Values
Style
Management directly controls/influences the hard values.
The soft values need to be influences or shaped to align with the organizations objectives.
One could argue that management directly controls the soft vales, because they choose their staff, have standard operating procedures and systems to ensure that everybody is doing their job in a specific way. However, staff ultimately control themselves and esprit de corps and moral play a large part in what the staff actually achieve. Skills are learned, forgot and change. They are not directly controllable. However, offering up-skilling is a way that seniors can manage the skill-set of their staff. Style is how the organizations does things. This can be influences by senior management, but largely depends on staff, supervisors and lower management to create a style. Conflicts at management level should be avoided.