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How do u practice structuring a problem on a daily basis.

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am 31. Mai 2024
#1 rated McKinsey Coach

Not sure I fully understand your question your question, so I'll rephrase it to ‘what is the best way to get better at structuring?’

I'd focus on these 3 things.

1. Learn to do it from first principles

This is a key skill that almost guarantees that you're going to be among the top candidates they are interviewing. 

Most people learn frameworks by heart, which is why their performance is, at best, average. 

If you get to the point where you can structure any case regardless of context, you're where most first-year consultant are.

I actually recently launched a workshop on this: Masterclass: First Principle Structuring

2. Expose yourself to different structuring patterns

The more cases you attempt to structure, the better you'll get at doing it. 

So practice does matter in that sense and collecting enough examples so you develop your lateral thinking on the topic.

You might also find this article helpful:

Expert Guide: Mastering Structuring & Brainstorming

3. Get feedback

This is how you ensure you constantly get better.

Even once you're in consulting, you get feedback on how you structure problems from people with more experience than you. 

So at this point try to get feedback from either experts or people who are already in consulting for a while.

Best,

Cristian

Gaurav
Coach
am 29. Mai 2024
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

As an ex-consultant and now a consulting coach, I understand the importance of consistently practicing and refining the skill of problem structuring. In the fast-paced and demanding world of consulting, the ability to break down complex issues into manageable components and approach them in a structured, logical manner is crucial for success.


One of the most effective ways to practice structuring problems on a daily basis is to actively seek out opportunities to apply this skill in your everyday life. Whether it's tackling a personal project, analyzing a current event, or even planning a trip, every situation presents an opportunity to exercise your problem-structuring muscles.
 

Here are some practical tips on how you can incorporate this practice into your daily routine:

(i) Start with a clearly defined problem: Begin by identifying a specific problem or challenge you want to tackle. It could be something as simple as optimizing your morning routine or as complex as developing a business strategy for a company. Having a clear problem statement will help you focus your efforts and avoid getting sidetracked.
 

(ii) Brainstorm and gather information: Before attempting to structure the problem, take some time to brainstorm and gather relevant information. This could involve researching industry trends, analyzing data, or seeking input from subject matter experts. The more information you have, the better equipped you'll be to identify the key components and underlying issues.
 

(iii) Break it down into components: Once you have a solid understanding of the problem, start breaking it down into smaller, more manageable components. This could involve categorizing different aspects of the problem, identifying stakeholders, or separating different phases of a process. The goal is to create a hierarchical structure that logically organizes the various elements of the problem.
 

(iv) Prioritize and establish relationships: After breaking down the problem, prioritize the components based on their importance or impact. Additionally, look for relationships and interdependencies between the different components, as these connections can often reveal underlying root causes or critical success factors.
 

(v) Develop a structured approach: With the components identified and prioritized, you can now develop a structured approach to addressing the problem. This could involve creating a decision tree, outlining a step-by-step process, or developing a hypothesis-driven framework for analysis.
 

(vi) Practice articulating your structure: Finally, practice articulating your problem structure clearly and concisely. This could involve presenting your approach to colleagues, friends, or even yourself in front of a mirror. The ability to communicate your thought process effectively is a crucial skill in consulting.

Incorporating this practice into your daily life not only helps you develop and reinforce the habit of structured thinking but also exposes you to a diverse range of problems and contexts. This diversity will challenge you to adapt your problem-structuring approach and develop versatility in your thinking.
 

Remember, problem structuring is a skill that requires continuous practice and refinement. Don't be discouraged if your initial attempts feel clumsy or incomplete. Embrace the learning process, seek feedback from others, and remain committed to improving your problem-structuring abilities day by day.
 

I'm here to support you on this journey and provide guidance, resources, and feedback to help you sharpen this critical skill. Feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions or challenges you'd like to discuss.

Pedro
Coach
am 31. Mai 2024
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

I would breakdown this into two components: structuring communication, and structuring ideas.

To structure communication, you should practice “top-down communication” and practicing synthesis. Start with the conclusion, and break it into steps, deliver each step in a concise way, and go deeper into the next level. 

For structuring ideas, it's about thinking about business problems. Read the financial newspaper. Look at the problems companies mention, think how you would solve them. Same into your day-to-day chores… how would you drive sales to the restaurant, laundry, etc.? how would you improve pricing? how would you improve logistics? what's their target customer segment? What's their revenue or potential market size?

When structuring problem solving, try to apply what I mentioned above regarding communication.

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