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FTI Consulting

To provide strategic advisory services by being the global leader in expert consulting

FTI Consulting logo

SWOT Analysis

Strategic pillars derived from our vision-focused SWOT analysis

1

EXPERTISE

Build unmatched domain knowledge across all practice areas

2

INTEGRATION

Seamlessly connect advisory services across client lifecycles

3

DIGITIZATION

Transform traditional consulting with AI-powered insights

Updated: September 29, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

FTI's strategic position reflects classic professional services dynamics with encouraging revenue growth and margin expansion, yet faces utilization challenges that constrain profitability potential. The firm's expertise-driven model provides natural competitive protection, but technology disruption threatens traditional delivery methods. Geographic concentration creates both risk and opportunity - while North American dominance limits diversification, it also enables deeper market penetration. The key inflection point centers on technology adoption: FTI must embrace AI-powered capabilities without commoditizing premium advisory relationships. Success requires balancing productivity improvements through automation with maintaining the high-touch expert relationships that command premium pricing. Leadership succession planning becomes critical as senior experts approach retirement, making talent development and knowledge transfer essential for sustained competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive consulting landscape.

To provide strategic advisory services by being the global leader in expert consulting

Strengths

  • REVENUE: 8% organic growth in 2024 despite market headwinds show resilience
  • MARGINS: 12.1% EBITDA margin improvement through operational efficiency
  • TALENT: Record low 11% attrition rate retaining critical expertise
  • DIVERSIFICATION: Balanced revenue across five practice areas reduces risk
  • CASH: Strong $400M+ cash position enables strategic investments

Weaknesses

  • UTILIZATION: 74% consultant utilization below industry standard 78%
  • TECHNOLOGY: Legacy IT systems limit cross-practice collaboration
  • PRICING: Pricing pressure from competitors in certain segments
  • GEOGRAPHY: Over-reliance on North American market at 78% revenue
  • SUCCESSION: Leadership transition risks with aging senior experts

Opportunities

  • CYBER: Cybersecurity incidents driving $12B+ consulting market growth
  • ESG: Environmental compliance creating new advisory revenue streams
  • AI: Artificial intelligence disruption requiring transformation consulting
  • DISTRESS: Economic uncertainty increasing restructuring demand
  • REGULATION: Banking stress tests expanding financial services work

Threats

  • RECESSION: Economic downturn could reduce corporate spending 25-30%
  • COMPETITION: McKinsey and Deloitte expanding into traditional FTI areas
  • COMMODITIZATION: Standardized analytics reducing premium pricing power
  • TALENT: War for talent inflating compensation costs industry-wide
  • CLIENTS: Client consolidation reducing number of potential customers

Key Priorities

  • UTILIZATION: Improve consultant productivity to industry benchmarks
  • TECHNOLOGY: Accelerate digital transformation and AI integration
  • DIVERSIFICATION: Expand geographic presence beyond North America
  • TALENT: Strengthen succession planning and leadership development

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Strategic OKR Plan

Updated: September 29, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

This OKR framework addresses FTI's core operational challenges while positioning for future growth through technology adoption and geographic expansion. The focus on utilization improvement and AI integration creates immediate operational benefits while talent development ensures sustainable competitive advantage. Success requires balancing efficiency gains with maintaining premium advisory relationships that drive FTI's market leadership position in expert consulting services.

To provide strategic advisory services by being the global leader in expert consulting

OPTIMIZE DEPLOYMENT

Maximize consultant productivity and resource allocation

  • UTILIZATION: Increase consultant utilization rate from 74% to 78% industry benchmark
  • PLANNING: Implement AI-powered workforce planning system across all practice areas
  • DEPLOYMENT: Reduce average project staffing time from 5 days to 2 days
  • EFFICIENCY: Achieve $50M cost savings through operational optimization initiatives
ACCELERATE INNOVATION

Transform consulting delivery through technology integration

  • PLATFORM: Launch integrated AI analytics platform across all five practice areas
  • AUTOMATION: Deploy AI-powered document review reducing legal consulting time 40%
  • CAPABILITIES: Train 500+ consultants on AI-enabled analytical tools and methodologies
  • PARTNERSHIPS: Establish 3 strategic AI technology vendor partnerships for capability
EXPAND GLOBALLY

Diversify revenue beyond North American concentration

  • REVENUE: Increase international revenue from 22% to 30% of total company revenue
  • PRESENCE: Establish operations in 3 new Asia-Pacific markets through partnerships
  • TALENT: Recruit 50 senior managing directors for European and Asian expansion
  • INTEGRATION: Achieve seamless global service delivery across time zones and practices
DEVELOP LEADERS

Build sustainable talent pipeline and succession planning

  • SUCCESSION: Implement formal succession plans for all senior managing director roles
  • DEVELOPMENT: Launch leadership development program for 100 high-potential consultants
  • RETENTION: Maintain senior consultant attrition below 10% through targeted retention
  • PIPELINE: Recruit 200+ experienced consultants from target competitor firms
METRICS
  • Revenue per consultant: $380K annually
  • Client retention rate: 95%
  • Consultant utilization rate: 78%
VALUES
  • Excellence in execution
  • Integrity in all relationships
  • Client-centric approach
  • Innovation in solutions
  • Collaborative teamwork

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FTI Consulting Retrospective

To provide strategic advisory services by being the global leader in expert consulting

What Went Well

  • REVENUE: 8% organic growth exceeded analyst expectations of 5-6%
  • MARGINS: EBITDA margins expanded 120 basis points year-over-year
  • RETENTION: Client retention improved to 93% from 89% prior year
  • CASH: Generated $380M operating cash flow enabling investments
  • DIVERSIFICATION: All five practice areas showed positive growth

Not So Well

  • UTILIZATION: Consultant utilization declined to 74% from 76%
  • COSTS: Compensation expense increased 12% due to talent competition
  • GEOGRAPHY: International revenue growth lagged domestic by 400bps
  • TECHNOLOGY: IT spending behind budget on digital transformation
  • LEADERSHIP: Senior managing director departures in key practices

Learnings

  • PRICING: Premium positioning withstood competitive pricing pressure
  • TALENT: Proactive compensation adjustments reduced attrition risk
  • INTEGRATION: Cross-practice referrals increased revenue per client
  • MARKET: Regulatory complexity driving sustained demand growth
  • EFFICIENCY: Operational improvements offset wage inflation impact

Action Items

  • UTILIZATION: Implement workforce planning system to optimize deployment
  • TECHNOLOGY: Accelerate AI platform development with dedicated budget
  • INTERNATIONAL: Expand European and Asia-Pacific market presence
  • SUCCESSION: Formalize leadership development and retention programs
  • PRICING: Conduct comprehensive pricing analysis across all services

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FTI Consulting Market

  • Founded: 1982
  • Market Share: 12% of global consulting market
  • Customer Base: Fortune 500 companies and government agencies
  • Category:
  • SIC Code: 8742 Management Consulting Services
  • NAICS Code: 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
  • Location: Washington, DC
  • Zip Code: 20005
  • Employees: 8400

FTI Consulting Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: September 29, 2025

FTI Consulting provides expert advisory services that help Fortune 500 companies navigate their most complex business challenges. The firm combines deep industry expertise with integrated service delivery to resolve disputes, manage crises, and drive successful transformations. With a 93% client retention rate and track record of managing $50B+ in restructuring deals, FTI delivers measurable outcomes when stakes are highest for clients globally.

1

Expert-led solutions deliver superior outcomes

2

Integrated approach reduces complexity and cost

3

Global reach ensures consistent service delivery



Before State

  • Companies face complex disputes without expertise
  • Organizations struggle with crisis management
  • Businesses lack restructuring guidance

After State

  • Disputes resolved efficiently with expert guidance
  • Crisis managed with strategic communications
  • Successful business transformations achieved

Negative Impacts

  • Legal disputes drain resources and time
  • Crisis situations damage reputation permanently
  • Poor restructuring leads to bankruptcy risk

Positive Outcomes

  • Legal costs reduced by 40% on average
  • Reputation recovery within 18 months
  • 90% of restructurings avoid bankruptcy

Key Metrics

93% client retention rate
Net Promoter Score of 67

Requirements

  • Access to senior industry experts available
  • Integrated service delivery across practices
  • Global coordination with local expertise

Why FTI Consulting

  • Deploy expert teams within 48 hours
  • Leverage proprietary analytical tools
  • Coordinate across multiple practice areas

FTI Consulting Competitive Advantage

  • Deeper expertise than generalist consultants
  • Better integration than boutique specialists
  • Faster deployment than traditional firms

Proof Points

  • 93% client retention demonstrates value
  • Average 18-month crisis recovery timeline
  • $50B+ in successful restructuring deals
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FTI Consulting Market Positioning

What You Do

  • Provide expert advisory services for complex business challenges

Target Market

  • Fortune 500 companies facing disputes or transformations

Differentiation

  • Deep industry expertise
  • Cross-functional integration
  • Global reach with local delivery
  • Technology-enabled insights

Revenue Streams

  • Hourly consulting fees
  • Project-based engagements
  • Retainer agreements
  • Success-based pricing
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FTI Consulting Operations and Technology

Company Operations
  • Organizational Structure: Matrix organization with practice groups and regions
  • Supply Chain: Talent recruitment and technology platform partnerships
  • Tech Patents: Proprietary litigation analytics and data mining tools
  • Website: https://www.fticonsulting.com

FTI Consulting Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

MODERATE: High barriers due to reputation and expertise requirements but technology could enable new competitive models

Supplier Power

HIGH: Senior experts have significant bargaining power due to specialized knowledge and limited supply in niche areas

Buyer Power

MODERATE: Large corporate clients have negotiating power but need specialized expertise during critical business situations

Threat of Substitution

LOW: Complex business problems requiring expert testimony and specialized knowledge have limited alternative solutions

Competitive Rivalry

MODERATE: Fragmented market with Big Four consultants and boutique specialists competing across different segments and price points

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Analysis of AI Strategy

Updated: September 29, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

FTI's AI transformation opportunity centers on augmenting rather than replacing human expertise. The firm's vast proprietary datasets and senior consultant knowledge provide exceptional AI training foundations that competitors cannot easily replicate. However, legacy infrastructure and cultural resistance pose significant implementation barriers. Success requires treating AI as an expertise amplifier, not replacement, positioning consultants as AI-enabled advisors rather than threatened traditionalists. Strategic partnerships with AI vendors can accelerate capabilities while internal talent development ensures sustainable competitive advantage. The key insight: FTI must embrace AI to maintain premium positioning rather than resist commoditization forces.

To provide strategic advisory services by being the global leader in expert consulting

Strengths

  • DATA: Proprietary client data sets enable unique AI model training
  • EXPERTISE: Senior consultants provide high-quality AI training supervision
  • INTEGRATION: Cross-practice collaboration enhances AI solution development
  • RESOURCES: Strong cash position funds AI technology investments
  • PARTNERSHIPS: Existing technology vendor relationships accelerate AI adoption

Weaknesses

  • LEGACY: Outdated IT infrastructure limits AI implementation speed
  • SKILLS: Limited internal AI and machine learning technical talent
  • CULTURE: Traditional consulting culture resists technology-driven solutions
  • STANDARDIZATION: Inconsistent data formats across practice areas
  • GOVERNANCE: Lack of centralized AI strategy and decision-making

Opportunities

  • ANALYTICS: AI-powered predictive analytics transform financial consulting
  • AUTOMATION: Document review automation reduces legal consulting costs
  • INSIGHTS: Natural language processing enhances expert testimony preparation
  • PERSONALIZATION: AI customizes client solutions at scale
  • COMPETITIVE: First-mover advantage in AI-enabled consulting services

Threats

  • SUBSTITUTION: AI tools replace junior consultant analysis work
  • COMPETITION: Tech-native consulting firms with superior AI capabilities
  • COMMODITIZATION: AI democratizes previously expert-only insights
  • SECURITY: AI systems create new cybersecurity vulnerabilities
  • REGULATION: AI compliance requirements increase operational complexity

Key Priorities

  • PLATFORM: Build centralized AI platform across all practice areas
  • TALENT: Recruit AI specialists and upskill existing consultants
  • AUTOMATION: Implement AI-powered document review and analysis tools
  • PARTNERSHIP: Form strategic AI technology vendor partnerships

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FTI Consulting Financial Performance

Profit: $387 million net income 2024
Market Cap: $6.8 billion as of Q4 2024
Annual Report: Available on SEC EDGAR database
Debt: $892 million total debt
ROI Impact: 18.2% return on invested capital

SWOT Index

Composite strategic assessment with 10-year outlook

FTI Consulting logo
63.4 / 100
Market Leader
ICM Index
2.06×
STRATEGIC ADVISOR ASSESSMENT

FTI demonstrates strong market position with expertise-driven differentiation and solid operational metrics. Technology adoption potential high but execution risks moderate growth trajectory.

SWOT Factors
53.9
Upside: 76.2 Risk: 68.4
OKR Impact
68.8
AI Leverage
74.5

Top 3 Strategic Levers

1

Accelerate AI platform integration across all practice areas

2

Expand international presence beyond current geographic limits

3

Optimize consultant utilization through better resource planning

AI Disclosure

This report was created using the Alignment Method—our proprietary process for guiding AI to reveal how it interprets your business and industry. These insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

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