The BCG growth share matrix is a heuristic approach or mental shortcut developed by the Boston Consulting Group. It’s used to classify a firm’s project outlooks.

It's also a reference to one of the four quadrants in the BCG Matrix, a business unit organization method. Cash Cow Examples A cash cow is a company or business unit in a mature slow-growth industry.

The BCG matrix was developed over 40 years ago by the Boston Consulting Group, and remains very much alive as a strategic planning tool. Advertisement. Article continues below this ad.