BCG Matrix
The BCG Matrix is a business planning tool created by Boston Consulting Group that helps companies decide where to invest their resources. Think of it as a way to organize products or services into four simple categories: Stars (high growth, high market share), Question Marks (high growth, low market share), Cash Cows (low growth, high market share), and Dogs (low growth, low market share). Business professionals use this framework to make decisions about which products to invest in or phase out. You might also hear it called the "Growth-Share Matrix" or "Boston Matrix" - they're all the same thing.
Examples in Resumes
Used BCG Matrix analysis to optimize product portfolio, resulting in 25% revenue growth
Applied Boston Matrix methodology to evaluate market opportunities across 5 business units
Led strategic planning sessions using Growth-Share Matrix to prioritize investment decisions
Typical job title: "Strategic Planners"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Strategic Planners
Professional Networks
Learning Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you modify the BCG Matrix for a digital subscription business?
Expected Answer: A strong answer should explain how to adapt traditional product-based metrics to subscription models, discussing customer lifetime value, churn rates, and growth potential in different market segments.
Q: Describe a time when the BCG Matrix led to a controversial strategic decision. How did you handle it?
Expected Answer: Look for examples of balancing stakeholder interests, managing change resistance, and using data to support strategic recommendations while showing leadership skills.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you gather and validate data needed for BCG Matrix analysis?
Expected Answer: Should explain methods for collecting market share and growth data, including industry reports, sales data, and market research, while acknowledging potential data limitations.
Q: Walk me through a recent example of how you've applied the BCG Matrix.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate practical application, including how they classified products/services, what recommendations they made, and what outcomes were achieved.
Junior Level Questions
Q: Can you explain the four quadrants of the BCG Matrix?
Expected Answer: Should clearly explain Stars, Question Marks, Cash Cows, and Dogs in simple terms, with basic understanding of what each category means for business strategy.
Q: What are the main limitations of the BCG Matrix?
Expected Answer: Should recognize that the matrix is a simplified tool, mentioning basics like how it might not account for all market factors or how market definitions can be subjective.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of BCG Matrix components
- Data collection and organization
- Simple market analysis
- Basic presentation skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Detailed market analysis
- Portfolio strategy development
- Stakeholder management
- Project leadership
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex portfolio optimization
- Strategic planning leadership
- Cross-functional team management
- Executive presentation skills
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain basic concepts of market share and growth
- Lack of real-world application experience
- Poor understanding of data analysis
- No experience with strategic planning tools
- Inability to connect analysis to business outcomes
