Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

Case Study Question

Question

1) Which process and sub-process would you identify as the bottleneck? Describe your approach and analysis in addition to your answer.
2)What is the maximum outbound volume with the bottleneck?
 

5
1.4k
12
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Ian
Coach
on Jan 11, 2023
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi Raj,

I think you're asking how we would coach you to solve these types of problems, is that right?

This is a process optimization/throughput problem. Essentially, whenever we're looking at throughput, we need to figure out which step/s is/are the bottleneck. The bottleneck = where there is less throughput.

Throughput = units/time.

So, in this case, we need to grab potential throughput and multiply it by entitlement to see how many products go through that step/sub-process. Then, within each process, we need to add those sub-process #s together.

The process with the lowest total # (throughput) is your bottleneck and is where we should focus our efforts!

Hagen
Coach
on Jan 12, 2023
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 9+ years consulting, interviewing and coaching experience

Hi Raj,

What exactly is the question you are asking, could you please elaborate? It seems that the questions underneath the chart are the questions the case study asks the candidate.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to address your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Deleted user
on Jan 12, 2023

Just to add to what others are saying, if this is from a preplounge case, you should point us to it so we can have a look.

8
on Jan 13, 2023
#1 Rated McKinsey Coach | Top MBB Coach | Verifiable success rates

Hi Raj, 

Could you please edit your question to provide a bit more detail? We're here to help you, but at this point you're not giving us a lot to hang on to. :)

Best,

Cristian

Moritz
Coach
on Jan 13, 2023
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | High impact sessions + FREE materials & exercises

Hi there,

Not sure exactly you're after but there's a way to approach these types of questions in conjunction with big tables and lots of numbers.

The key is to create new numbers, but fewer, that collectively tell the story. The question is not testing your engineering skills but your ability to synthesize insights using quant.

Is this going in the right direction? Let me know - happy to elaborate more!

Best,

Moritz

Similar Questions
Consulting
Coaching Supply Chain/ Procurement
on Mar 19, 2025
Global
4
500+
Top answer by
Mariana
Coach
Free CV evaluation | xMckinsey | 1.5h session | +200 sessions | Free 20-min introductory call
20
4 Answers
500+ Views
+1
Consulting
Question about
Calculation of reductions in transportation costs
on Oct 10, 2024
Global
1
1.0k
Top answer by
Alessa
Coach
xMcKinsey & Company | xBCG | +200 individual & group coachings | feel free to schedule a 15 min intro call for free
25
1 Answer
1.0k Views
Consulting
Consulting Firm in Operations
on Jan 16, 2025
Europe
6
800+
Top answer by
Evelina
Coach
EY-Parthenon (7 years) l BCG offer holder l 97% success rate l 30% off first session l free 15' intro call l LBS
22
6 Answers
800+ Views
+3