Metaplan

Metaplan is a consulting firm founded in 1972 by Eberhard and Wolfgang Schnelle in Quickborn, near Hamburg, Germany. The company pioneered strategy and organizational consulting in Germany and has built its reputation on a distinctive approach that emphasizes discourse-driven strategy development and organizational design. This methodology, often referred to as “discursive consulting,” combines facilitation, moderation, and visualization to help organizations structure and understand complex changes. Over the past five decades, Metaplan has expanded internationally, with offices in Germany, France, Sweden, the United States, Switzerland, China, and Singapore. Despite its global presence, its headquarters and central activities remain anchored in the Hamburg region, with a purpose-built campus in Quickborn. As of 2014, the office spans 6,900 square feet following renovations aimed at fostering collaboration and creative thinking. The company comprises around 40 to 76 consultants, according to various sources, and reported a revenue of approximately $17.1 million in 2024. Metaplan’s client roster over the years has included major corporations like IBM, Bertelsmann, Siemens, and Deutsche Lufthansa. It often facilitates workshops and projects that aim to generate insights and enable cooperation within organizations, particularly during periods of strategic or structural transformation. Metaplan’s recent activities reflect its ongoing focus on helping institutions adapt to change. The firm works with organizations from diverse sectors, notably including life sciences, to design strategies and foster shared understanding among stakeholders. It also engages in publishing and training through its Leadership & Organization Academy, extending its discursive methods into executive education.