What is "drive the case"?

I agree with Hagen here. And yes, it seems like you already understand what it means to lead the case! :)

Hi there,

This is indeed an interesting question which is probably relevant for quite a lot of users, so I am happy to provide my perspective on it:

• Generally speaking, “driving the case” or “case leadership” means that you own both the procedural and the content side of the case study. From the examples provided by you, you seem to have a correct understanding of what it means.
• Contradictory to what other coaches said, you should also display case leadership with interviewer-led case study formats. You are expected to own the content side of the case study and you are equally expected to propose the next procedural steps (even if the interviewer will ultimately decide on it).

In case you want a more detailed discussion on how to best present case leadership in your upcoming interviews, please feel free to contact me directly.

I hope this helps,

Hagen

Hi there,

I think you could really use a coaching session or two - this is the fundamental aspect of casing!

Driving the case is, essentially, that you are progressing the case forward in a methodical, structured, MECE, objective-driven way, while taking the interviewer (client) on the journey.

Hey there,

let me try to help you on this. What “drive the case” refers to is your role in the interview. 

Generally, you either have an interviewer-led or an interviewee-led case. In the latter, you are expected to drive the case (drive here means to solve the case and take your partner along the ride). 

It does not mean that in an interviewer-led case is easier and you can sit back and relax. However, your interview partner will play a much more active role in driving you through the case.

Shoot me a message if youd like to discuss more.

All the best,

Torben

Both your examples are of “leading the case”, so you already know what to do :).

Hello,

You got it! “Driving the case” essentially means you are leading the interview conversation - deciding how to progress through your framework, asking questions for data, working on the hypothesis as you go. So exactly as you said, at each logical point in the interview (e.g. after listing out the framework) you should be suggesting where to go next; after seeing data/numbers/exhibits you should work through them, make some conclusions, and suggest where to go next, etc. I thought Hagen's point of “driving the case” in an interviewer-led case was also quite salient - even if the interviewer is the one ultimately making the call on where the case goes, you should still demonstrate ownership of the content side and make suggestions.

Hi!

The most general interpretation is that the candidate owns the case, i.e. he/she has a clear direction to follow and proactively guides the resolution of the case.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Anto