Good operations are the backbone of any organization, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and ultimately, success. At McKinsey, the Operations Practice is about more than delivering functional capability improvements—it’s a commitment to excellence.
As part of the practice’s dedication to cultivating top-tier operations talent, the Operations Excellence Program (OEP) offers tailored training, providing our teams with the latest industry insights and access to cutting-edge tools and technology. For 25 years, this approach has delivered exceptional impact. It has been instrumental in shaping the capabilities and expertise of over 800 alumni and 70 partners who play pivotal roles in driving our firm’s competitive advantage. Its influence has been recognized with prestigious honors like the Brandon Hall Award for excellence in human capital management, and underscores our commitment to making operations a strategic imperative for any organization aspiring to thrive in today’s dynamic business landscape.
I asked some fellow OEP graduates, leaders, and alumni about their OEP experience. For my own part, the program fosters a shared language among us as consultants—it runs through our veins. We confront challenges head-on, employing our operational strategies to navigate them effectively, and then we deliver results. It’s not just my journey—it’s the collective journey of all alumni that is a testament to the transformative power of this program.
Serving clients better
OEP dean Alan Davies emphasizes that delivering client satisfaction relies on our team’s ability to speak the same language as the client and provide credible solutions. He shares, “I once had a transportation client express to me the importance of McKinsey’s team on-site having the experience and knowledge to speak the client’s language for the partnership to work. Having an OEP participant as part of the team ensures they develop active industry experience within the environment, and it drives credibility on our side.”
As part of their development, our OEP consultants actively participate in problem-solving, driving impactful and lasting change while reinforcing our reputation as a trusted partner in our clients’ success. OEP alum Daniele Iacovelli, now SVP &and Global Head of Digital, Analytics & Operational Excellence at Roche, highlights how this early exposure paved the way for him to lead business transformations, coach senior stakeholders, and navigate challenging conversations when confidence is key. He says: “Trust is the only relevant currency as a consultant.…The blend of on-the-job experience with a practical curriculum not only enhances functional knowledge but also develops leadership capabilities such as the influence model.”
Trust is the only relevant currency as a consultant.
Developing future-ready skills
In today’s competitive business landscape, success relies on adaptability, collaboration, and resilience. The OEP doesn’t just develop individuals; it fosters team excellence and a culture of innovation organization-wide. Through mentorship and hands-on experiences, it fuels continuous learning and collaboration, driving innovation. By equipping teams with a holistic approach to operations—from lean principles to procurement strategies—it lays the groundwork for sustained success.
Ketan Shah, partner and OEP leader, emphasizes the value of providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of operational topics. He highlights that grasping the fundamentals and their integration is key for practical application in various fields. While mastery isn’t the immediate goal, the program offers participants both breadth, covering a wide range of topics, and depth, ensuring a thorough understanding of each. This approach enables them to develop a versatile skill set for future leadership roles. As Shah puts it, “The ultimate goal is to shape the leaders for tomorrow who have the potential to either become effective counselors to COOs or rise to the role of COO themselves. This is achieved by exposing them to a diverse range of operational topics.”
The ultimate goal is to shape the leaders for tomorrow who have the potential to either become effective counselors to COOs or rise to the role of COO themselves.
What’s next?
While each OEP alum may navigate a different path, they remain integral parts of a lifelong cohort, connected to a network of seasoned experts.
Reflecting on his journey, Davies remarks, “Joining the OEP as a dean was my way of paying it forward to the next generation of talent. Early on in my career, building a community of experts was critical. It’s not just about technical skills; it’s about fostering connectivity and nurturing future talent.” Shah echoes that sentiment: “This program empowers you to transcend conventional boundaries. It accelerates learning, like an operations university with a strong focus on practical application.”
Whether you’re a company seeking to partner with top-tier talent, a member of the McKinsey family, or simply curious about the OEP and its offerings, now is the perfect time to explore our program’s 25 years of transformative impact. Talk to us to get involved and discover how the OEP is shaping the leaders who will drive success in your industry.
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