For an interview with a Partner/Principal for a SC or PM role. Does anybody has experience on the inteview process at RB in the TIS practice with focus on deal-driven transformation (PMI, Carve-out, Private Equity, M&A, etc)?
What kind of cases are expected? And experiences in general.
The TIS practice at Roland Berger, especially the deal-driven transformation angle, has a fairly distinct interview flavor compared to classic strategy cases. A few things worth knowing:
On case type and format. Expect the standard RB candidate-led format (30-40 min per case), but the content will skew heavily toward transaction-specific scenarios rather than generic market entry or profitability. At the SC/PM level interviewing with a Partner or Principal, you should be ready for cases involving post-merger integration sequencing, carve-out separation logic (IT, HR, legal entity separation), and PE value creation levers. A typical prompt might be: "A PE fund just acquired a carve-out from a conglomerate, Day 1 is in 90 days, what do you prioritize?" Structure, sequencing, and risk management under time pressure are the real test here.casebasix+1
What they are actually evaluating At SC/PM level, it is less about whether you crack the case and more about whether you think like someone who has lived through a deal. Expect pointed follow-up questions on workstream ownership, stakeholder management across buyer/seller/management, and how you handle TSA (Transition Service Agreement) dependencies. If you have done PMI or carve-out work before, be ready to go deep on specifics, not just frameworks
Fit component. The behavioral portion will probe your deal experience directly, why TIS specifically, and your view on how transformation differs in a transaction context versus a classic consulting mandate. RB values independence and pragmatism, so avoid generic consulting answers and anchor everything to deal dynamics.
Hi,
I used to work in BCG's PE practice - and have experience in exactly what you are mentioning.
Not an RB interviewer... but my sense is that it's important to pay attention to the term "transformation" - this implies alot more complexity than just a CDD etc. Happy to connect more - just drop me a dm.
Do also check out my articles that could be helpful for you:
What Is Private Equity Consulting?
5 Reasons Why Experienced Hires Fail the Interview
Roland Berger TIS interviews are typically experience-heavy at the SC or PM level. Partners want to see that you have actually done this work, not just that you can structure a case.
Expect a mix of:
The cases tend to feel more like deal war stories than textbook MBB cases. They will likely give you a scenario and ask how you would approach it based on your experience.
Prepare two or three strong deal stories in detail. Know the numbers, the challenges, and what you specifically did. That is what will differentiate you at this level.
Hi there,
RB TIS with a deal-driven transformation focus has a fairly distinct interview flavor — worth knowing what to expect.
Format: Standard RB candidate-led case format (30–40 min per case). Be ready for "anything" just like with any case interview!
On carve-outs: The core framework question is always — will the two parts be larger than the whole? That is, will separating these assets generate more value than they're worth together? If yes, how? You need to analyse: (1) what the unit currently contributes to the combined entity, (2) what it's worth on its own, and (3) how you actually execute the separation — IT systems, org structure, legal entities, TSA dependencies. These are two very different phases (Day 1 readiness vs. long-term optimisation) with different priorities.
What they're actually evaluating at SC/PM: It's less about whether you crack the case and more about whether you think like someone who has lived through a deal. Expect pointed follow-up on workstream ownership, stakeholder management across buyer/seller/management, and how you'd handle TSA dependencies. If you have PMI or carve-out experience, be ready to go deep on specifics — not just frameworks.
Fit: They'll probe your deal experience directly, why TIS specifically, and your view on how transformation in a transaction context differs from a classic consulting engagement. RB values independence and pragmatism — anchor your answers in deal dynamics, not generic consulting-speak.
Some useful prior Q&As on the deal side: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/private-equity-value-creation-interview-what-to-expect-and-how-to-structure-answers-8871
For the behavioral/fit component — fit is underestimated at the experienced hire level. I have a full course that covers the stories, structure, and delivery: https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/prep-guide/ace_the_case_interview
Good luck — feel free to reach out if you want to run through a mock.
Hi there,
I strongly recommend you reach out to the recruiter and ask.
For specialist roles (or any non-generalist roles) the process can differ by quite a bit. I'm 80% sure it's going to be a case from within the industry + personal fit questions, but it's best to check with them. This way you can be more targeted with your prep.
If you need any help, drop me a line.
Best,
Cristian
