Teams
We have greater impact together than on our own
We work in small teams, usually made up of three to five consultants and select members of a client’s organization. Our teams are not permanent. They focus on solving a specific problem, with a typical commitment of 2 to 6 months.
Finding the right combination
To form a team, we look across our network of more than 7,000 consultants worldwide to bring together those with the best industry experience, functional specialties, and leadership skills for the given challenge.
Assignments also consider growth opportunities for each team member, whether it’s strengthening skills or increasing knowledge.
McKinsey operates as “One Firm.” For teams, that means consultants from every office around the world share the same McKinsey methodology. It’s based on a consistent vocabulary and approach to problem solving. This provides our people with a powerful way to collaborate effectively and deliver lasting impact.
Parts of the team
Teams are generally made up of a mix of tenures, including an engagement manager, associates, a business analyst (sometimes more than one), an associate principal, and a partner or director. Everyone is a full-fledged member of the team with responsibility for a distinct part of the assignment.
The client team members are critical additions to the McKinsey team. Their active participation is important in helping everyone understand the client's organization and its challenge. In addition, their involvement generates commitment to a solution that they can execute—important for lasting change to take hold.
Obligation to dissent
All McKinsey consultants are obligated to dissent if they believe something is incorrect or not in the best interests of the client. Everyone’s opinion counts. While you might be hesitant to disagree with the team’s most senior member or the client, you’re expected to share your point of view.
Forging relationships
Because team members work so closely together, their bonds last long after a study is over. Consultants most often build their networks with the people they meet and work with during client engagements. Because engagements change regularly, our consultants can quickly develop extensive and powerful networks.