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by kennend3 1286 days ago
PS - as a former McKinsey employee.. Would it be fair to say your view is biased?

Look at your response on the "agile" comment. They feel it was "pure graft" and you defended it without knowing any details?

Now look at the other response on this thread, where someone stated they saw it first hand as well.

Are they in on the "conspiracy theory" as well, or perhaps there is truth to it?

1 comments

It's fair to say my view would be biased. But probably not in the direction you would think.

I think we need to be more critical of what it means to see things "first hand". MBB are typically operating at the executive level and the motivations between executives decisions typically don't reach the "rank and file" of the organization (forgive the wording). In my response I mentioned that the cost of engaging McKinsey is so extremely high that there will need to be some type of rational justification for bringing them in (beyond just covering my ass).

That being said, I worked on a few projects where I wasn't sure whether the cost justifies the benefits but this was largely due to incompetence or overselling - never "pure graft".

> I think we need to be more critical of what it means to see things "first hand".

I think everyone needs to be more critical of "Shill" accounts such as yours.

You are fast to assume that i did not see it "first hand", slow to realize that this does take place and when provided new information (the lawsuit post) unwilling/unable to incorporate new information into your position.

What value do you feel you are adding to the conversation? You seem to be wearing your McKinsey hat "they never do anything wrong, it is all justified just not at your level"..

By first hand I mean you're the executive paying the bill and understand the motives behind hiring a consulting firm and the incentives such a firm is working under for the client. I'm doubtful most here have that experience (I certainly never did in 20 years of industry before joining a consulting firm). Having McKinsey or BCG walking around your office and telling you what to do is not first hand experience in my opinion.

I'm trying to offer a unique opinion of a software engineer who spent a short time working in this industry. If you're not buying it then no problem.

Personally, I would never invite McKinsey or any of these companies into my own company. But then again I don't run a 100k person company.