The BCG Matrix, the Growth-Share Matrix and Portfolio Analysis
The origin of the Boston Matrix lies with the Boston Consulting Group in the early 1970s. It was devised as a clear and simple method for helping corporations decide which parts of their business they should allocate their available cash to. Following the credit crunch, this is newly important in some sectors because of the limited availability of credit.
However, the Boston Matrix is also a good tool for thinking about where to apply other finite resources: people, time and equipment.
The Boston Matrix categorizes opportunities into four groups, shown on axes of Market Growth and Market Share:
These groups are explained below:
Dogs: Low Market Share / Low Market Growth
In these areas, your market presence is weak, so it's going to take a lot of hard work to get noticed. You won't enjoy the scale economies of the larger players, so it's going to be difficult to make a profit. And because market growth is low, it's going to take a lot of hard work to improve the situation.
In these areas, your market presence is weak, so it's going to take a lot of hard work to get noticed. You won't enjoy the scale economies of the larger players, so it's going to be difficult to make a profit. And because market growth is low, it's going to take a lot of hard work to improve the situation.
Cash Cows:
High Market Share / Low Market Growth
Here, you're well-established, so it's easier to get attention and exploit new opportunities. However it's only worth expending a certain amount of effort, because the market isn't growing, and your opportunities are limited.
High Market Share / Low Market Growth
Here, you're well-established, so it's easier to get attention and exploit new opportunities. However it's only worth expending a certain amount of effort, because the market isn't growing, and your opportunities are limited.
Stars:
High Market Share / High Market Growth
Here you're well-established, and growth is exciting! There should be some strong opportunities here, and you should work hard to realize them.
High Market Share / High Market Growth
Here you're well-established, and growth is exciting! There should be some strong opportunities here, and you should work hard to realize them.
Question Marks (Problem Child):
Low Market Share / High Market Growth
These are the opportunities no one knows what to do with. They aren't generating much revenue right now because you don't have a large market share. But, they are in high growth markets so the potential to make money is there.
Low Market Share / High Market Growth
These are the opportunities no one knows what to do with. They aren't generating much revenue right now because you don't have a large market share. But, they are in high growth markets so the potential to make money is there.
Question Marks might become Stars and eventual Cash Cows, but they could just as easily absorb effort with little return. These opportunities need serious thought as to whether increased investment is warranted.
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