The Boston Matrix, also known as the BCG Matrix, is a tool used in business to evaluate the performance of a company's products or business units. It was developed by the Boston Consulting Group in the 1970s and is based on the idea that a company's products or business units can be classified into four categories: stars, cash cows, dogs, and question marks. These categories are based on the product or business unit's market growth and market share.
Stars are products or business units that have high market growth and high market share. These products are typically in the growth stage of their lifecycle and generate a lot of cash for the company. They require a lot of investment in order to maintain their position in the market, but they also have the potential to become cash cows if they can maintain their market leadership.
Cash cows are products or business units that have low market growth and high market share. These products are typically in the maturity stage of their lifecycle and generate a lot of cash for the company. They require little investment in order to maintain their market position and are a reliable source of income for the company.
Dogs are products or business units that have low market growth and low market share. These products are typically in the decline stage of their lifecycle and do not generate much cash for the company. They may be candidates for divestment or may be phased out in favor of more successful products.
Question marks are products or business units that have high market growth but low market share. These products are in the early stages of their lifecycle and may have the potential to become stars if they can increase their market share. However, they also require a lot of investment in order to grow and may not be successful in the long run.
An example of the Boston Matrix in action is a company that makes and sells two types of products: a line of high-end luxury cars and a line of economy cars. The luxury car line may be considered a star because it has a high market growth rate and a high market share. The economy car line may be considered a cash cow because it has a low market growth rate but a high market share.
Another example is a company that produces and sells several different types of snacks, including chips, cookies, and granola bars. The chip line may be considered a cash cow because it has a low market growth rate but a high market share. The cookie line may be considered a question mark because it has a high market growth rate but a low market share. The granola bar line may be considered a dog because it has a low market growth rate and a low market share.
The Boston Matrix can be a useful tool for businesses to evaluate the performance of their products or business units and make strategic decisions about investment and resource allocation. It helps companies prioritize their efforts and allocate resources in a way that maximizes the potential for success.