Graduating from McKinsey Wave: The Next Step in Program Management

January 23, 2024
Updated: October 16, 2024 | 3 min read

Organizations often face significant hurdles in executing their strategies effectively. Common challenges include misaligned teams, unclear priorities, lack of visibility into progress, and difficulty adapting to change. McKinsey Wave provides a valuable, structured framework for addressing many of these issues, particularly for organizations at the early stages of transformation. However, as strategic needs evolve and require greater flexibility, organizations may find that they need a solution that can adapt with them.

For organizations seeking a more agile and adaptable approach, Amplify presents a compelling alternative. Let's explore how Amplify is an alternative to Mckinsey Wave for addressing the common challenges of strategy execution and empowers organizations to achieve their strategic goals with greater flexibility.  

Amplify vs. Mckinsey Wave: A Comparative Overview

ChallengeHow Amplify Solves ItHow Wave Compares
Misaligned Teams, Unclear PrioritiesSupports all teams with tailored governance to suit the maturity of the team.Supports a single program and governance approach.
Lack of Visibility into ProgressSupports both financial and non-financial goals, such as carbon emissions.Impacts can only be reported in financial terms.
Difficulty Adapting to Change "No-code" environment can be tailored by the customer.Less adaptable due to close alignment with McKinsey framework, which may not suit all contexts.

For organizations looking to continue their transformation journey with more agility and adaptability, Amplify offers a natural progression and an alternative to Wave. Below, we explore how Amplify addresses the common challenges of strategy execution and empowers organizations to achieve their strategic goals with greater flexibility.

Image 1: A screenshot of Amplify's NPV Dashboard, visualizing the net present value (NPV) of five organizational programs. A central chart compares planned, forecasted, and actual NPV, allowing users to quickly assess performance and identify potential gaps.

Key Takeaways:

  • Amplify fosters team alignment, clarifies priorities, and promotes a shared understanding of strategic goals.    
  • Amplify provides real-time visibility into progress, enabling data-driven decision-making and timely adjustments.  
  • Amplify's adaptability empowers organizations to respond effectively to change, ensuring their strategies remain relevant and agile.  

Why Amplify is a Natural Alternative to Wave for Organizations Seeking Enhanced Transformation Flexibility

  • Align Teams, Achieve Clarity: Break down silos, centralize communication, and create a shared understanding of strategic goals and priorities across your organization. Amplify builds on what you've accomplished with Wave, offering an evolved way to achieve clarity faster and more effectively.
  • Gain Real-Time Visibility: Empower data-driven decision-making with clear insights into initiative progress, resource allocation, and potential roadblocks. While Wave serves as a great starting point, Amplify takes visibility to the next level, providing organizations with deeper, more actionable insights.
  • Embrace Change with Confidence: Amplify's flexibility allows you to adapt quickly to market shifts, new opportunities, or unexpected challenges. For organizations that have used Wave as part of their transformation journey, Amplify offers a natural evolution, designed to provide even greater agility and adaptability as strategic needs evolve.  
  • Seamless Integration with Existing Practices: Leverage Amplify's intuitive interface and compatibility with McKinsey best practices to ensure a smooth transition and maximize the value of your existing knowledge and experience. Whether you've been using Wave or are just considering it, Amplify allows for seamless integration into your current practices without disruption.  

As more organizations graduate from Wave, particularly as McKinsey introduces new pricing structures, Amplify offers a comprehensive platform that builds on your existing foundation-allowing you to continue your transformation journey with greater flexibility and advanced capabilities.

Conclusion  

McKinsey Wave has provided organizations with a strong foundation for strategy execution, particularly in aligning strategic initiatives and driving performance. As your organization's needs evolve, Amplify offers a natural progression, enhancing the flexibility and adaptability required to navigate today's dynamic business environment. Whether you're migrating from Wave or considering a more comprehensive approach to strategy execution, Amplify empowers your team to overcome execution challenges, gain deeper visibility into progress, and confidently embrace change-ensuring continued success in achieving your strategic goals.

Read the Companion Guide


Ready to learn more? Watch a demo today.
< Return to Resource Hub