This presentation is created by former McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte, EY, and Capgemini consultants. It teaches a practical consulting framework actively used by tier-1 consulting firms.
Editor Summary
16-slide PowerPoint presentation teaching Michael Porter’s Value Chain Analysis framework, presented as a 4-step consulting process (identify industry value chain; assign costs/revenues/assets; determine cost drivers; identify competitive advantages).
Read moreIncludes 6 templates and tools: value chain mapping template, cost driver model template, strategic hypothesis framework, customer experience mapping tool, benchmarking template, and action plan template. Target users include corporate executives, strategy consultants, business analysts, and integration leaders. Sold as a digital download on Flevy.
Use this presentation when leadership or strategy teams need to trace where value is created and where costs and revenues accrue—common triggers include strategic planning, market analysis, post-merger integration, or operational efficiency initiatives.
Corporate executives mapping cost drivers to evaluate backward or forward integration opportunities.
Strategy consultants benchmarking industry value activities to identify competitive positioning.
Business analysts assigning costs and revenues to value activities to quantify profitability.
Integration leaders mapping linkages across suppliers and customers during integration planning.
The 4-step methodology (identify value chain, assign financials, determine cost drivers, identify advantages) mirrors Porter’s value-chain approach used in strategy consulting practice.
Developed by Michael Porter, Value Chain Analysis is strategic management framework used to analyze the processes and key activities performed by a business or industry. This framework illustrates where value is created within an industry or company.
The conventional view of the Porter Value Chain (depicted in a multi-level chevron diagram) captures 5 primary activities and 4 support (secondary) activities:
Primary Activities
• Inbound Logistics
• Operations
• Outbound Logistics
• Marketing & Sales
• Service & After Sales Support
Support Activities
• Firm Infrastructure
• Human Resource Management
• Technology Development (IT)
• Procurement
Through Value Chain Analysis, we can identify areas of competitive advantage (or disadvantage) by benchmarking cost drivers. It also provides a structure for performing competitive analysis by separating the value generating stages. This analysis also allows your organization to analyze opportunities for backward and forward integration by including suppliers and end-customers in the Value Chain.
Value Chain Analysis also drives strategic hypotheses to answer several critical strategic management questions:
• Where are we, and our competitors, earning money? Why?
• Should we forward or backward integrate?
• Should we outsource or spin-off value activities (i.e. business processes)?
• What are the industry critical success factors?
• What are our managerial action plans to control costs, improve service, and increase delivered value?
This Value Chain Analysis PPT presentation breaks down a 4-step process to Value Chain Analysis:
1. Identify the industry Value Chain and map the linkages between the industry value activities.
2. Assign costs, revenues and assets to value activities.
3. Determine the relevant cost drivers for each value activity.
4. Identify potential competitive advantages by either controlling cost drivers better than competitors or reconfiguring the value chain to better leverage the organization's strengths.
Value Chain Analysis is a powerful tool in Strategic Management. This PowerPoint presentation provides an in-depth explanation of the framework with detailed examples and is the same training material used by global management consulting firms.
This presentation also includes detailed industry examples, such as the paper products industry, to illustrate practical applications. It emphasizes the importance of identifying cost drivers and understanding competitive trends to optimize your value chain strategy.
Got a question about the product? Email us at support@flevy.com or ask the author directly by using the "Ask the Author a Question" form. If you cannot view the preview above this document description, go here to view the large preview instead.
MARCUS OVERVIEW
This synopsis was written by Marcus [?] based on the analysis of the full 16-slide presentation.
Executive Summary
The Value Chain Analysis presentation is a consulting-grade framework developed by Michael Porter, designed to analyze the processes and key activities performed by a business or industry. This McKinsey, Bain, or BCG-quality resource illustrates how value is created within an industry or company, enabling users to identify competitive advantages and strategic opportunities. By utilizing this framework, executives and consultants can effectively assess where value is generated, determine cost drivers, and formulate action plans to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
Who This Is For and When to Use
• Corporate executives seeking to understand their company's value creation processes
• Strategy consultants analyzing industry dynamics and competitive positioning
• Business analysts evaluating operational efficiencies and cost structures
• Integration leaders looking to identify areas for backward or forward integration
Best-fit moments to use this deck:
• During strategic planning sessions to assess competitive positioning
• When conducting market analysis to identify industry critical success factors
• In workshops aimed at improving operational efficiencies and cost management
Learning Objectives
• Define the components of a value chain and their relevance to competitive advantage
• Identify primary and support activities within an industry value chain
• Analyze cost drivers and their impact on profitability across value activities
• Develop strategic hypotheses based on value chain insights
• Map customer experiences to identify areas for improvement
• Formulate actionable plans to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency
Table of Contents
• Introduction to Value Chain Analysis (page 2)
• Benefits and Limitations of Value Chain Analysis (page 3)
• Steps in Developing a Value Chain (page 4)
• Identifying the Industry Value Chain (page 6)
• Assigning Costs, Revenues, and Assets (page 9)
• Determining Relevant Cost Drivers (page 10)
• Identifying Competitive Advantages (page 12)
• Levels of Detail in Value Chain Analysis (page 13)
• Understanding Competitor Cost Differences (page 14)
• Calculating Profitability at Each Value Chain Stage (page 15)
• Tips and Data Sources for Value Chain Analysis (page 16)
Primary Topics Covered
• Value Chain Definition - A structured representation of the processes and activities that create value within an industry or company, typically illustrated as a linear flow.
• Primary and Support Activities - Distinction between primary activities (e.g., operations, marketing) and support activities (e.g., human resource management, technology development) that contribute to value creation.
• Cost Driver Analysis - Identification of key cost drivers affecting profitability at each stage of the value chain, enabling firms to pinpoint areas for improvement.
• Competitive Advantage Identification - Strategies to leverage strengths or control cost drivers better than competitors to gain a competitive edge.
• Industry Value Chain Mapping - Visual representation of the interconnected activities performed by firms within an industry, highlighting relationships and dependencies.
• Quantitative Value Assessment - Emphasis on quantitative analysis of costs and revenues at each stage, facilitating a clear understanding of value generation.
Deliverables, Templates, and Tools
• Value chain mapping template for visualizing industry activities
• Cost driver model template for analyzing financial impacts
• Strategic hypothesis framework for identifying competitive advantages
• Customer experience mapping tool to enhance service delivery
• Benchmarking template for comparing cost structures with competitors
• Action plan template for operational improvements
Slide Highlights
• Overview of Porter’s Value Chain and its components
• Benefits and limitations of conducting a value chain analysis
• Step-by-step process for identifying and mapping the industry value chain
• Examples of industry value chains, such as the paper products industry
• Detailed cost driver analysis and its implications for competitive strategy
• Visual representation of competitor cost differences and profitability analysis
Potential Workshop Agenda
Value Chain Mapping Session (90 minutes)
• Introduce the concept of value chains and their importance
• Identify primary and support activities within the industry
• Map the industry value chain and discuss linkages
Cost Driver Analysis Workshop (60 minutes)
• Analyze cost drivers affecting each value activity
• Discuss strategies for controlling costs and enhancing value
• Develop a cost driver model for the organization
Competitive Advantage Strategy Session (90 minutes)
• Identify potential competitive advantages based on value chain insights
• Formulate strategic hypotheses for operational improvements
• Create actionable plans for leveraging strengths in the value chain
Customization Guidance
• Tailor the value chain mapping to reflect specific industry dynamics and competitors
• Adjust cost driver models based on internal financial data and competitor insights
• Incorporate company-specific terminology and metrics into the analysis
Secondary Topics Covered
• Industry critical success factors and their relevance to strategic planning
• The role of technology development in enhancing value creation
• Implications of backward and forward integration strategies
• Challenges in data collection and analysis for value chain assessments
• The evolution of value chain analysis from internal to external perspectives
Topic FAQ
What are the main steps in conducting a value chain analysis?
A standard value chain analysis follows a 4-step process: identify the industry value chain and map linkages; assign costs, revenues, and assets to value activities; determine relevant cost drivers for each activity; and identify potential competitive advantages by controlling drivers or reconfiguring the chain. The framework is organized as a 4-step process.
How do I identify cost drivers for each value activity in practice?
Identify cost drivers by assigning observable costs, revenues, and assets to each activity, then analyze which factors most influence those costs (scale, technology, input prices, etc.). Use external data sources such as annual and industry reports and apply a cost driver model template to quantify impacts. Refer to the cost driver model template.
When should I map customer experience in a value chain project?
Map customer experience when assessing service delivery or identifying pain points that affect differentiation and retention; it helps link customer touchpoints to specific value activities and reveal improvement opportunities. The presentation includes a customer experience mapping tool for that purpose.
Who should attend a value chain mapping workshop and what will they do?
Typical attendees are corporate executives, strategy consultants, business analysts, and integration leaders who together identify primary and support activities, map industry linkages, and discuss dependencies. A suggested agenda includes a Value Chain Mapping Session designed to be completed in about 90 minutes.
What should I look for in a value chain toolkit if I have a limited budget?
Prioritize toolkits that include practical mapping templates, a cost driver model, benchmarking capability, and an action plan template so you can go quickly from diagnosis to initiatives without building models from scratch. Flevy's Value Chain Analysis PPT explicitly lists mapping, cost driver, benchmarking, and action plan templates as included deliverables.
How long do the recommended workshops for a basic industry value chain assessment take?
The provided workshop agenda suggests 3 focused sessions: a 90-minute Value Chain Mapping Session, a 60-minute Cost Driver Analysis Workshop, and a 90-minute Competitive Advantage Strategy Session—totaling about 240 minutes of structured workshop time.
How can I quantify profitability at each stage of the value chain?
Quantify stage-level profitability by assigning costs, revenues, and assets to each value activity and calculating margins attributable to those activities; the product’s Table of Contents shows “Calculating Profitability at Each Value Chain Stage” and guidance on assigning financials on page 15.
What are common challenges when conducting a value chain analysis?
Common challenges include extensive data collection requirements, difficulty comparing private firms with limited disclosures, and isolating which cost drivers truly explain profit differences across activities. These limitations are noted in the presentation as practical constraints such as comparing private firms.
Document FAQ
These are questions addressed within this presentation.
What is Value Chain Analysis?
Value Chain Analysis is a framework that helps organizations identify the processes and activities that create value within their operations, enabling strategic insights into competitive advantages.
How do I identify primary and support activities?
Primary activities are those directly involved in creating and delivering a product or service, while support activities facilitate these processes. Distinguishing between them is essential for effective analysis.
What are cost drivers, and why are they important?
Cost drivers are factors that significantly impact the cost structure of activities within the value chain. Understanding them helps organizations identify areas for cost reduction and efficiency improvements.
How can I use Value Chain Analysis to improve my business?
By mapping your value chain, you can identify inefficiencies, assess competitive positioning, and formulate strategies to enhance operational performance and customer satisfaction.
What data sources are useful for conducting Value Chain Analysis?
Useful data sources include annual reports, industry reports, competitor financial statements, and insights from industry experts.
How does Value Chain Analysis help in strategic planning?
It provides a structured approach to understanding where value is created, allowing organizations to make informed decisions about resource allocation and strategic initiatives.
What are the limitations of Value Chain Analysis?
Limitations include the need for extensive data collection, challenges in comparing private firms, and potential difficulties in isolating key cost drivers.
How can I quantify profitability at each stage of the Value Chain?
By assigning costs, revenues, and assets to each value activity, you can calculate profitability and identify opportunities for improvement.
What is the significance of mapping customer experiences in the Value Chain?
Mapping customer experiences helps organizations identify pain points and areas for enhancement, ultimately leading to improved service delivery and customer satisfaction.
Glossary
• Value Chain - A structured representation of the activities that create value within an industry or company.
• Primary Activities - Activities directly involved in creating and delivering a product or service.
• Support Activities - Activities that facilitate primary activities, such as human resource management and technology development.
• Cost Driver - A factor that significantly impacts the cost structure of a value activity.
• Competitive Advantage - The ability of a firm to outperform its competitors by controlling cost drivers or leveraging strengths.
• Industry Value Chain - A linked set of value activities performed by firms within an industry.
• Quantitative Analysis - The process of assessing costs and revenues in numerical terms to evaluate performance.
• Benchmarking - Comparing performance metrics with industry standards or competitors to identify areas for improvement.
• Strategic Hypothesis - A proposed explanation or strategy based on insights gained from value chain analysis.
• Operational Efficiency - The ability to deliver products or services with minimal waste and maximum value.
• Customer Experience Mapping - A visual representation of the customer journey through the value chain.
• Backward Integration - A strategy where a company takes control of its suppliers.
• Forward Integration - A strategy where a company takes control of its distribution channels or customers.
• Data Collection - The process of gathering information necessary for conducting value chain analysis.
• Financial Statistics - Metrics used to assess the financial performance of value activities.
• Differentiation - The process of distinguishing a product or service from others in the market.
• Operational Costs - Expenses incurred in the process of delivering products or services.
• Market Positioning - The strategy of positioning a brand or product in the marketplace relative to competitors.
• Value Delivery System - The interconnected activities that deliver value to customers.
• Strategic Planning - The process of defining an organization's direction and making decisions on allocating resources.
• Industry Dynamics - The changing factors and trends that affect the competitive landscape of an industry.
Value Chain Analysis outlines the processes and activities that generate value within an organization, typically represented as linear flows of primary and support activities. It emphasizes quantifying value by focusing on costs and revenues at each stage. Strategic questions addressed by Value Chain Analysis include identifying profit generation, integration versus outsourcing decisions, and evaluating critical success factors. The framework aids in competitive analysis, identifying cost drivers, and exploring integration opportunities with suppliers and customers, enhancing operational efficiency. However, challenges include extensive data collection, difficulties in performance comparison with competitors, and issues with aggregated data from subsidiaries of larger firms.
This PPT slide outlines the evolution of the Value Chain concept, originally developed by Michael Porter, contrasting traditional Value Chain Analysis with the external perspective advocated by Shank and Govindarajan. The traditional model focuses on internal activities, categorized into primary and support functions like inbound logistics and marketing/sales, to understand value creation. The newer approach emphasizes the industry Value Chain as a "value delivery system," broadening the analysis to include external interactions with customers and stakeholders. This holistic view identifies cost drivers at each stage of the industry Value Chain, enabling organizations to uncover efficiencies and new opportunities for value creation. Adapting to external dynamics is essential for strategic decision-making and long-term success.
This PPT slide outlines a four-step process for conducting a Value Chain Analysis. The first step involves identifying the industry value chain and mapping connections between activities, which is essential for understanding component interactions and overall performance. The second step assigns costs, revenues, and assets to value activities, clarifying resource allocation and financial impacts. The third step focuses on determining relevant cost drivers for each activity, identifying areas for efficiency gains and informed resource allocation. The final step encourages organizations to identify competitive advantages by effectively controlling cost drivers or reconfiguring the value chain to leverage strengths, enhancing performance and market positioning.
This PPT slide analyzes cost structures for PeopleExpress and United Airlines, focusing on expenditures per 1,000 seat miles across operational categories. PeopleExpress spends $1,000 on advertising, compared to United's $1,300, indicating a more efficient marketing spend. In ticketing, PeopleExpress incurs $9,000 versus United's $13,200, suggesting higher operational costs for United. Fleet costs show PeopleExpress at $4,900 and United at $6,700, potentially reflecting fleet size or maintenance differences. Aircraft operations costs are $15,600 for United and $11,600 for PeopleExpress, indicating possible operational inefficiencies. On-board service costs are $1,500 for PeopleExpress and $4,700 for United, suggesting more comprehensive in-flight services from United. Total costs are $28,400 for PeopleExpress and $41,500 for United, highlighting significant cost disparities that can inform strategic initiatives and pricing strategies in the airline market.
This PPT slide outlines the value delivery system in the paper products industry, focusing on primary and support activities within a competitor's operations. General management functions include accounting, legal, and human resource management, essential for operational efficiency. Shipping and tracking systems are vital for timely delivery and inventory management. Primary activities start with timber selection, followed by logging and chipping operations for raw material processing. The logistics of shipping split wood to pulp manufacturing are emphasized, highlighting effective transportation strategies. Inbound wood chip operations and pulp manufacturing processes are crucial for purchasing and shipping logistics. Each step relates to outcomes like quoting and pricing wood chip output, underscoring the need for precise financial management and cost control. Analytical detail varies based on strategic hypotheses, indicating a tailored approach is necessary for adaptability in strategy formulation.
This PPT slide outlines a systematic approach to quantifying profitability within the value chain by assigning costs, revenues, and assets to specific value activities. Developing a cost driver model for each stage of the industry value chain is essential, utilizing detailed cost data from Corporate Finance to create a high-level process map of production and delivery processes. Identifying relevant inputs and costs at each stage is crucial, and when direct cost data is unavailable, combining related value activities or estimating costs based on plausible inputs is recommended. Analyzing competitors' costs across the value chain can reveal production variances and highlight differences. The slide also emphasizes identifying revenues and underlying assets used by competitors for each value activity, advising the multiplication of estimated market prices by competitors' output to gauge revenue contributions. This comprehensive analysis enhances understanding of cost and revenue structures, facilitating informed decision-making and strategic planning.
An Industry Value Chain is crucial for analyzing the paper products sector, outlining stages from silviculture and timber farming to end-use customers. Each stage reveals where value is created and how competitors operate, with varying strategies and cost structures. For example, one competitor may excel in pulp manufacturing while another dominates distribution, highlighting the need for tailored strategies. Companies should assess their unique position within the value chain and adapt accordingly. The term "Value Activities" indicates specific processes that can enhance performance, such as optimizing operations and improving supply chain management. A comprehensive analysis of competitors and strategic alignment with the value chain can lead to informed decision-making and better resource allocation.
Source: Best Practices in Value Chain Analysis PowerPoint Slides: Value Chain Analysis PowerPoint (PPT) Presentation Slide Deck, LearnPPT Consulting
This presentation is created by former McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte, EY, and Capgemini consultants. It teaches a practical consulting framework actively used by tier-1 consulting firms.
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