STRATEGYMonths to result

Portfolio Analysis Framework

Analyze business portfolios

Problem it solves

unclear strategic direction

Best for

Large businesses with multiple products or services

Not ideal for

Small businesses or startups with limited resources

Overview

Why this framework exists

The Portfolio Analysis Framework is a tool used to analyze a business's portfolio of products or services. It involves evaluating each product or service based on its market attractiveness and competitive strength to determine which ones to invest in, maintain, or divest.

Core principles

3 total
  1. Evaluate each product or service based on its market attractiveness and competitive strength
  2. Determine which products or services to invest in, maintain, or divest
  3. Manage the portfolio to maximize returns and minimize risk

Steps

3 steps
  1. Evaluate Market Attractiveness
    Evaluate the market attractiveness of each product or service based on factors such as market size, growth rate, and competition.
    Pro tipUse market research and analysis to determine market attractiveness
    WarningBe careful not to overestimate market attractiveness
  2. Evaluate Competitive Strength
    Evaluate the competitive strength of each product or service based on factors such as market share, profitability, and competitive advantage.
    Pro tipUse financial analysis and market research to determine competitive strength
    WarningBe careful not to underestimate competitive strength
  3. Determine Investment, Maintenance, or Divestment
    Determine which products or services to invest in, maintain, or divest based on their market attractiveness and competitive strength.
    Pro tipFocus on products or services with high market attractiveness and competitive strength
    WarningBe careful not to overinvest in products or services with low market attractiveness and competitive strength

Checklist

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Examples

2 cases
Example 1

A company uses the Portfolio Analysis Framework to evaluate its portfolio of products and determines that one product has high market attractiveness and competitive strength. The company decides to invest in this product and increases its market share and revenue.

OutcomeThe company increases its market share and revenue
Example 2

A company uses the Portfolio Analysis Framework to evaluate its portfolio of products and determines that one product has low market attractiveness and competitive strength. The company decides to divest this product and reduces its costs and increases its profitability.

OutcomeThe company reduces its costs and increases its profitability

Common mistakes

3 traps
Overestimating Market Attractiveness
Overestimating market attractiveness can lead to overinvestment in products or services with low market attractiveness
Underestimating Competitive Strength
Underestimating competitive strength can lead to underinvestment in products or services with high competitive strength
Failure to Diversify
Failing to diversify the portfolio can lead to overreliance on a single product or service

Origin story

How this framework came to be

The Portfolio Analysis Framework was developed by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in the 1970s. It is based on the idea that a business's portfolio of products or services should be evaluated and managed to maximize returns and minimize risk.

Source

Traced to primary
Source · BOOK
Competitive Strategy
Michael E. Porter · 1980
Open source →

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