Case recommendation: should I list multiple options & scenarios?

I will give a short answer to this. 

- If they said specifically mention options in the recommendation, then do so. 

- If they just state it as a general piece of advice, then identify these different options early on in the case, for example as you structure your case provide the options for growth. At this point you can ask the interviewer whether they want you to make a quick assessment of these, evaluate all of these one after the other throughout the case, or simply go with your hypothesis first and test it (you should have one ready and be able to explain why).  

- You can also present your preferred approach and then say the alternative would be the following. So instead of directly asking them, you can say: “My proposal is to evaluate first my hypothesis. Alternatively, if you prefer I can also do a quick assessment of each option or I can analyse them one after the other in more detail.” (simply decide on whether you feel the interviewer appreciates the straight out question more or you just telling them what you are going to do and giving them the chance to respond).

- I would then in the recommendation focus on the one option you have discussed most in the case and mention the others only along the lines of  “there are also other options available which we briefly discussed but which did not seem as attractive because… ” or there are other options which can also be taken into consideration as a next step since they are similarly favorable.

This depends entirely on the case. 

If there's multiple options for doing x, all of which seem adequate given the known criteria, you could introduce multiple options like this:

• There's two options with different risk & value profiles; Option A, which is more risky but with a higher potential value, and Option B, which is less risky and also lower value. Based on what I know about the client, I would recommended B. However, if the client has indeed a higher risk appetite, we should absolutely pursue A.
• There's three options, which break down into different time horizons; Option A, which is short term, Option B, which is mid term, Option C, which is long term. Based on what I know about the client, I recommend A because of x. However, depending on client's needs, we should continue exploring B and C.

Just remember that you should always have an opinion on what you would recommend, and that you need to get to the recommendation quick i.e. don't spend 5 minutes on introducing the options before giving your verdict. Remember MECE and top-down communication!

Hope this helps a bit! Best of luck!

Hi there,

This totally depends on the case! In general there should be, at a minimum, a “lead” option, but some cases do indeed have multiple options!

It is a good practice to list possible options, provided that those options are backed up with data or pieces of information you used in solving the case. 

As general advice, be flexible: in some cases, it is not needed to give several options. It may be enough to just argue that what you are proposing is the best option (provided that you explain why and that your explanation is bulletproof). Pro suggestion: you can list examples of other options - thus showing you are creative - and at the same time say that your proposed option is better because of some specific reason.

I will never get tired of reiterating that it is more important to communicate clearly and precisely than to focus on several different 'dos' and 'donts' that clutter your mind while you are stressed in an interview setting.