With the help of McKinsey and Company, a leading consulting group, the General Electric Company (GE) developed a popular business portfolio analysis tool called the GE Multifactor Portfolio Matrix. This tool helps managers develop organizational strategy that is based primarily on market attractiveness and business strengths.
Industry attractiveness might be determined by such factors as the rate of industry growth, the number of competitors in an industry, and the weakness of competitors within an industry.
Business strengths might be determined by such factors as a company’s core competencies and capabilities, financially solid position, its good bargaining position over suppliers, and its high level of technology use.
The Boston Consulting Group portfolio matrix is a chart that had been created by Bruce D. Henderson for the Boston Consulting Group in 1970 to help corporations with analyzing their business units or product lines. This helps the company allocate resources and is used as an analytical tool in brand marketing, product management, strategic management, and portfolio analysis.
Cash Cow - a business unit that has a large market share in a mature, slow growing industry. Cash cows require little investment and generate cash that can be used to invest in other business units.
Star - a business unit that has a large market share in a fast growing industry. Stars may generate cash, but because the market is growing rapidly they require investment to maintain their lead.
Question Mark (or Problem Child) - a business unit that has a small market share in a high growth market. These business units require resources to grow market share, but whether they will succeed and become stars is unknown.
Dog - a business unit that has a small market share in a mature industry. A dog may not require substantial cash, but it ties up capital that could better be deployed elsewhere. Unless a dog has some other