McKinsey Implementation

McKinsey Implementation specialists work side-by-side with our industry and functional experts, adding a critical dimension to our traditional consulting work. We partner closely with clients to help them produce results–rapid, significant, measurable improvements in productivity, cost, quality, time-to-market, and other metrics.

We work intensively with clients across all industries—from mining and manufacturing to banking and retail sales—to obtain lasting and substantial performance improvement through operational transformations, reorganizations, post-merger integrations, and new strategies.

This approach builds on McKinsey's tradition and track record of going beyond recommendations to assist clients with pilots and transformation programs in areas like operations and sales. By deploying highly qualified implementation consultants—typically experienced former line managers—McKinsey can drive implementation broadly across organizations, generating more rapid results and building lasting client capabilities. Our support model is flexible and designed to meet specific client needs.

Diverse backgrounds, deep implementation expertise

McKinsey Implementation is based in 15 locations all around the world, allowing us to draw on the expertise of implementation professionals who understand local challenges and opportunities.

Our team includes over 180 professionals who have between 10 and 35 years of experience in line management and/or implementation consulting. They come from a wide range of industries and have experience in leading large-scale performance improvement projects.

Pragmatic, results-oriented thinking

McKinsey Implementation has delivered successful results in hundreds of projects. As part of our pragmatic, results-oriented approach, we closely track key performance indicators (KPIs) and help clients establish effective performance management practices. We work directly with client staff at all levels to help them develop new skills, build capabilities, and become home-grown implementation experts—an approach that helps companies sustain improvement long after a project ends.

Teams flexible in size and approach

Before implementation begins, we work with clients to design programs that fit their unique circumstances. We also identify and manage potential roadblocks and risk factors using a proprietary assessment tool. Since every project is different, we customize the team configuration—the intensity and duration of support—according to the unique needs of each phase of the proejct. For instance, we might deploy a large on-site team when implementation begins, then transition to part-time coaching as the client staff gains experience. In all cases, we provide start-to-finish assistance, working with clients as long as needed to achieve the desired results. With major efforts, clients may ask that we remain involved for a year or more.

Examples of our work

McKinsey Implementation has improved performance at many clients. For example:

• A global top 20 retailer recently engaged McKinsey to improve their in-store operations. Our retail consultants helped them find a $200 million opportunity and then our support transitioned from retail experts to implementation experts. We embarked upon an ambitious implementation partnership with them, which translated the “on paper” $200 million into actual bottom-line results well in excess of that target. Our implementation team built a lasting capability in initiative management and day-to-day performance management, allowing the client to achieve further annual gains after the McKinsey Implementation support finished.
• McKinsey recently completed a 2-year project with a public healthcare organization, piloting and implementing a transformation encompassing more than 250 individual projects. The organization was ambitious and knew it needed assistance to make changes—McKinsey Implementation brought much needed skill and resourcing to help them do this rapidly. It provided the client with long-term coaching, project support and the creation of a dedicated program- management office organization and associated tools. Our team worked with 30 hospitals and helped to improve patient care while adding €205 million to the bottom line annually.
• With our help, a cement manufacturer completed a multi-year implementation program that involved facilitating operations improvement across 16 locations. At the end of 18 months, the program has added $50 million to the bottom line through efficiency improvement. We engaged more than 200+ client leaders and conducted workshops and trainings for 2000+ line managers and shop-floor workers. To ensure sustainability, we have established six full-time Centers of Excellence and rolled out a model for continuous improvement.
• We recently partnered with a global mining company to improve throughput in one of its businesses. At one site, McKinsey Implementation helped deploy active supervision techniques, workplace visual management, and other tools designed to ensure lasting impact and deliver $20 million in benefits. The project was so successful that the client asked us to help it rapidly deploy the same techniques to other mines. We then refined the approach, built a cadre of client-improvement courses, and delivered $180 million to the bottom line.