We help organizations deploy best-in-class thinking for maximum impact across their capital projects portfolios and project delivery value chain.
What we do
As pressure grows to build complex projects faster, better, and more sustainably in rapidly shifting economies, relying on previous experience is no longer enough to guarantee successful project delivery. Our work often begins with a rapid assessment, powered by Capital Analytics, to provide our clients with an objective, fact-based view of strengths, opportunities, and the size of the value at stake.
Capital strategy and portfolio optimization
We partner with organizations to define strategic direction, optimize capital spend, and build enterprise-wide capex capabilities, including designing digital transformations.
Project development
We identify and evaluate early stage projects and apply strategic levers to improve project business cases significantly. We also optimize design, procurement, and the critical enablers—organization, culture, capabilities, risk, contracting, digital and analytics—to realize the full potential of the project.
Project delivery
We help deliver projects through a disciplined execution rhythm to accelerate schedules, improve safety outcomes, maintain quality, and reduce costs. This end-to-end value assurance and optimization support, tailored to major projects, can be further enhanced by full-time support from McKinsey experts embedded in the leadership team.
Capital Analytics
With Capital Analytics, we create a step change in capital project performance through analytics-driven insights.
How we do it
Bringing together an ecosystem of data, analytics, and expertise, we provide actionable insights that lead to successful portfolio optimization and project delivery. We use a people-centered and technology-enabled approach for certainty of outcomes.
Analytics and technology
Applying analytics and technology is core to our approach, changing the way we help clients deliver projects. We combine proprietary solutions like Project Delivery Navigator and Production System Improvement with advanced analytics through Capital Analytics, and create partnerships with leading technology providers. This ecosystem of innovators allows us to deliver leading-edge solutions that support capital performance by improving project management, identifying project complexities, and predicting outcomes.
Capability building
Maintaining capital performance requires the right mix of team skills to sustain the impact of transformations in the long term. In addition to ongoing coaching throughout projects, we help clients embed new capabilities with McKinsey Academy’s Capital Excellence program, and build digital skills through our proprietary education and external partnerships.
Examples of our work
Getting smart about capital spending
An energy company transforms how it plans capital projects, freeing up billions to enter new markets.
An engineering and construction giant reignites profitable growth
Better strategy and a strong leadership pipeline unlock growth, boost revenues, and safeguard margins.
Strategic approach to hospital design and construction cuts cost by 20 percent
Improvements to building costs, construction approaches, and procurement help a US healthcare provider reduce capital costs and raise service quality.
Featured Experts
Erikhans Kok
Senior PartnerHouston
Leads our Capital Excellence practice globally, advising clients on capital productivity, operations, and strategy
Martin Linder
Senior PartnerMunich
Leads the Firm’s Battery Accelerator Team; global colead for the McKinsey Platform for Climate Technologies as well as our sustainability work within advanced industries in Europe
Dr. Christoph Schmitz
Senior PartnerFrankfurt
Leads global capital excellence work by helping clients optimize portfolios, design projects, and improve execution. He supports holistic business transformations across automotive, chemicals, agriculture, and industrial companies
Justin Dahl
PartnerHouston
Brings expertise in overall capital project development and delivery to a diverse group of owner companies
Featured Insights
Article
Delivering on construction productivity is no longer optional
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Why the construction industry must climb out of its productivity rut—and why it hasn’t yet.
The capex crystal ball: Beating the odds in mining project delivery
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Capital expenditures need to be deployed strategically across metals and mining projects critical for the energy transition. Intervening early and setting a clear focus can help avoid issues.
Breaking operational barriers to peak productivity
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Our latest research examines how a new take on operational excellence can help rekindle productivity—and reveals five practices that matter in jump-starting performance.
McKinsey welcomes SES, experts at estimating capital projects
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With the acquisition of SES, McKinsey deepens its estimating capabilities, helping clients navigate the surge in capital projects construction.
Reimagining engineering to deliver more projects, more efficiently
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A new, tech-enabled operating model is critical if the engineering sector is to deliver the infrastructure needed for everything from climate commitments and the energy transition, to revamped cities.