In their book In Search of Excellence, McKinsey consultants Tom Peters and Robert Waterman found 8 common themes which they argued were responsible for the success of 14 identified companies of "excellence." The framework is known as the 8 Attributes of Management Excellence. The research and theorizing of this framework was based on the McKinsey 7-S Model, also authored by Peters and Waterman.

The 8 attributes are:
1. A Bias for Action
2. Close to the Customer
3. Autonomy and Entrepreneurship
4. Productivity through People
5. Hands-on, Value-driven
6. Stick to the Knitting
7. Simple Form, Lean Staff
8. Simultaneous Loose-Tight Properties

In an interview, Peters later also added a 9th attribute: Capabilities Concerning Ideas, Liberation, and Speed.