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Strategy

Growth-Share Matrix

Animated whiteboard explainer: Growth-Share Matrix

Bruce Henderson, 1970 0:39 Whiteboard video

Overview

What if you could categorize your business units into just four groups and instantly see where to invest, harvest, or divest? That's the power of the Growth-Share Matrix, a strategic tool developed by the Boston Consulting Group.

Key Components

Used by companies to allocate resources effectively, it helps identify which products or services are driving growth and which are draining value. The matrix visualizes four quadrants—Stars, Cash Cows, Question Marks, and Dogs—each representing different market growth and competitive positions.

How to Apply

By plotting your business units on this grid, you gain clarity on where to focus energy and where to cut losses. Simple, yet profoundly impactful—this framework turns complexity into actionable strategy.

Key Insight