In the 7S McKinsey model, which of the following is a hard element?

• A. Style
• B. Structure
• C. Shared Values
• D. Staff

Answer: (B)

In the McKinsey 7S model, hard elements are Strategy, Structure, and Systems—tangible parts of the organization that you can define, measure, and change directly. Structure fits this category because it covers how the company is organized: the arrangement of departments, reporting lines, and authority. These are formal, structural aspects that leadership can design and reconfigure more readily than people or culture. The other items—Style, Shared Values, and Staff—are soft elements; they relate to leadership behavior, organizational culture and values, and the people and capabilities within the organization. These are more subtle and harder to change. So the best choice is Structure.