Scenario analysis interview preparation? (Never heard of it before)

Hi Rithvik,

This sounds like a hybrid format that’s becoming more common, especially in boutique or specialist firms.

Based on what you’ve described, here’s how I’d interpret it:

• The 10-minute presentation is your opportunity to walk through your structured thinking in response to the 4 key questions from the case scenario. Focus on clarity, prioritization, and concise recommendations.
• The 15-minute Q&A will likely test your ability to defend your assumptions, explain your reasoning, and respond to challenges—similar to a consulting-style discussion.
• The 25-minute scenario analysis and discussion sounds like an interactive, open-ended conversation. They may introduce a twist or follow-up scenario and observe how you think through it live. It won’t be a traditional case, but it will still assess your problem-solving approach, communication, and comfort with ambiguity.

Since the firm focuses on supply chain, I’d recommend reviewing common frameworks and topics like inventory management, cost vs. service trade-offs, supplier risk, logistics optimization, and scenario planning under uncertainty.

It’s less about getting to the “right” answer and more about showing structured thinking, business judgment, and how you approach problems under pressure.

Happy to help you prep—feel free to reach out!

Best,

Evelina

Hi,

A lot of firms use this style of interviewing now. 

First off, just ask the company for more details and clarification.

Then next, prepare for your presentation (10min one) , and for the scenario analysis - which will probably be "what-if this thing" happens.

I'd keep my slides simple (5 is usually fine):

1. Executive summary

• 1-2 sentence on the problem statement
• 4-5 bullet style answers 

2. Situation and assumptions (context)

• Brief summary of the scenario
• Key data points
• Your chosen assumptions e.g. cost drivers, demand forecasts,growth rates, supply constraints etc. 

3. Analysis of options 

• (Youre trying to show that you)
• Show options of your solutions and highlight your recommendation

4. Deep-dive on recommendation

• Breakdown of your recommendation e.g., implementation steps, cost model, impact areas
• Supporting data e.g supply chain cost savings, lead time reductions

5. Risks, next steps & Scenario planning

• Key risks to your solution e.g. supplier reliability, demand forecast accuracy, with some mitigation strategies
• Short- and long-term next steps.g pilot test, sourcing review
• Scenario planning options (i'd just highlight the 4 mentioned below - and then assume we'll change about it)

So I'm going to assume the types of scenario analysis will be in line with the usual supply-chain scenarios options e.g. :

1. Demand side changes

• e.g, a drop in demand due to recession, or a spike in demand
• Solutions options: inventory management and cost-to-serve analysis (why: you'll cut low performers, manage over/understock risks)

2. Supply-side disruptions

• e.g. main supplier shuts down, port delays (a FAV),
• Solution options: Inventor management, Supplier sourcing diversification backups to build agility into supplychain

3. Financial constraints 

• e.g. client mandates need a cost reduction, capex freeze, USAID cuts funding
• Solution options: logistic network optimisation, cost to serve analysis to prioritise high-margin segments, rationalise network and reduce opex

4. Macro shifts

• e.g.tariffs imposed on imports (VERY likely), war disruptions, new EU carbon border tax
• Solutions options: Pre-emptive by adapting sourcing/geography shift routes

I'd give it a think and prepare for this - it's the largest section of your interview and a very prepared candidates usually fare well.

Use real life situations, i'd look at the news, and i'd also look at the company's "media releases", sometimes they post interesting problems that they're facing.

Good luck and happy to chat :)

(Source: I just assisted someone with preparing their presentation case interview for an operational director role in one of the Africa's largest honey producers)

Hi there,

I would reach out to HR / to current consultants to make sure you understand exactly what you are going to face.

I believe this is a simple case presentation. They likely will give you a fictional context / problem and data for you to analyze and combine with some research on the topic evaluated. You’ll have to demonstrate your ability to analyze the data, generate insights, show business sense and communication skills (both orally as written).

I have joined Nubank through this process (presentation of case), have interviewed several people within this format while at Nubank and have recently helped a client get an offer for an executive role in Pharma going through a similar process. Happy to support you if you thing coaching may help.

Best,

Mari

Hi there,

This sounds like a modified written case format. I would expect the scenario analysis would be a set of follow-up questions they would give you to test how you would react to changes in the situation. 

However, you should just reach out to the recruiter to clarify. This eliminates all the guesswork from the process. Ask if they have any template cases you could study.

Best,
Cristian

Hey Rithvik:)

totally get the confusion — “scenario analysis” can mean different things, but in this context, it likely means a semi-structured discussion where they’ll present you with a new or evolving situation (often building on your presentation) and see how you think through it in real time. It’s a bit like a case, but more open-ended and collaborative. They’ll want to test your reasoning, flexibility, and communication under uncertainty.

Best way to prep: be super clear and structured in your thinking, practice articulating trade-offs, and get comfortable navigating ambiguity without needing perfect data. It’s less about getting the “right” answer and more about how you think. Happy to help you prep if you want to run through a mock!

best, Alessa :)

I would recommend reaching out to the recruiting team to get some clarification, if possible!

As other coaches have mentioned, the 'scenario analysis' is likely to be a follow-on from the materials you have already prepared. 

They may add new information or context, and test how you respond to changes in the case.

They may also present you with some hypothetical scenarios (e.g., the market experiences some adverse event and our core business begins to suffer unexpectedly - what do we do?) and test out your ability to think on your feet.