I like to think about nonprofits programs like flower gardens.

Each program is a plant. Lovely in its own right and started with care and intention. But even the most beautiful garden can become overgrown. If you have too many plants competing for sunlight, water, and space, none of them will flourish. They will grow spindly, tangled, and stressed.

To keep your garden thriving, you have to be clear on what kind of garden you’re trying to grow. Then you need to fertilize what’s working and, more challenging, you need to pull out plants that no longer fit.

One of the most useful tools I’ve found for doing this work is the MacMillan Matrix.

A Tool for Strategic Program Assessment

The MacMillan Matrix offers a structured way to evaluate whether a program is aligned with your mission, fills a real market need, and makes the best use of your organization’s unique capabilities. It can help you decide what to grow, what to refine, and what to let go.

Here’s a quick overview:

The matrix uses three criteria to assess each program:

• Fit with mission
• Organizational competence
• Competitive position or alternative coverage in the market

Programs are plotted within a grid that helps leaders think strategically. Some programs are high mission fit and uniquely positioned—those are the ones to grow. Others might be well-loved but not distinct or sustainable. And some may need to be divested entirely.

You can see the full matrix here: MacMillan Matrix Chart (PDF)

For a deeper explanation of the matrix structure and its strategic uses, this article is helpful:

• Redefine Business Competition with the MacMillan Matrix – Dummies

Why It Matters for New Leaders

When you’re new to an organization, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by legacy programs and longstanding commitments. People will tell you, “This is one of our signature events,” or “We’ve always done it this way.” But what got an organization here won’t necessarily get it where it needs to go.

You don’t have to make cuts on day one. But you do need a clear-eyed assessment of how each program fits within your current strategy, capacity, and market.

The MacMillan Matrix gives you a shared framework to do that work while avoiding making it personal. It invites thoughtful discussion about trade-offs. It brings in both mission alignment and operational practicality. And it helps you grow a robust garden for many years to come.