Yesterday, Flevy has release version 3 of Flevy Tools.  Flevy Tools is a PowerPoint add-in for creating common business diagrams.  These diagrams are commonly used in strategy and management consulting decks.  Not only is Flevy Tools easy-to-use, useful, and feature rich, the best part is that it’s completely free.  You can download it for free here:

• Flevy Tools – http://flevy.com/powerpoint-plugin

In the latest version, it supports 2 additional diagram types: Matrix Charts and Value Chain Diagrams.  Below, we will walk through the new functionality.

Matrix Charts

Matrix Charts are perhaps a consultant’s best friend.  These are simple and very intuitive visuals, often taking the form of either a 2×2 or 3×3.  Established consulting frameworks like the BCG Matrix and GE-McKinsey Matrix are based on this format.

The Flevy Tools Matrix chart allows you to create up to a 5×5 Matrix and any combination smaller (e.g. 2×4, 3×5, etc.).

Value Chain Diagrams

Out of all the 12 diagrams supported, this is our favourite — in our opinion, the most innovative of the Flevy Tools diagrams.  A Value Chain diagram is modeled after the Porter Value Chain, as defined by Michael Porter.  With this tool, you can create up to a 6-chevron “value chain.”  For each chevron, you can then further sub-divide it into up to 6 parallel rows/chains.   To better understand this, take a look at the parameters input box in the screenshot below.

Once you install Flevy Tools, a new toolbar is added to your PowerPoint ribbon.  See the screenshot below.

Here is the full list of support diagrams:

• Waterfall Charts
• Approach Diagrams
• Step Box Diagrams
• Harvey Ball Diagrams
• Gantt Charts
• Circular Approach Diagrams
• Pyramid Diagrams
• Relationship Diagrams
• Segment Diagrams
• Matrix Charts
• Value Chain Diagrams
• Rating Diagrams

Again, here is the download link.  It’s a free download!

• Flevy Tools – http://flevy.com/powerpoint-plugin