Hi Kay,
these are very valid questions. Please see my answers below:
(1) In general, a comprehensive structure should cover the main aspects of the solution and if you do it right, it will. Your structure should not just be a collection of possible solutions to the problem, but you would assess different parts of the business one by one, thereby identifying the root cause of the problem. What does this mean looking at your case: Use the production process itself as a structure and its different components, not only how it works but also what it depends on (e.g. time). You would then maybe identify that there is one 8h-shift only, which could be expanded. If the structure you decide to use does not cover the main aspects your interviewer will guide you to it, however, obviously the less help and guidance you need the better are chances to solve the case successfully and receive a positive feedback
(2) There is a very valuable case bootcamp here on Preplounge (Resources --> BootCamp), which - if you want to understand theory before getting practice - will be very helpful. However, it will to no extent replace the actual case meetings you need in order to practice solving cases. Do as many cases as you need in order to develop an actual "feeling" for solving cases, this is essential for when it comes to the actual interview situation. Both the candidate and the interviewer role will help you tremendously in understanding what is important when solving cases.
(3) Your structure does not need to be super detailed. 2 levels is appropriate in most cases, and you can still work on your structure while you work through the case. Creating the structure should indeed not take longer than about 1min, because this is the point where most interviewers will interrupt and ask you to start (and you don't want 5min of silence anyways). As you practice more and more cases (see (2)), you will get used to creating a structure and you will see that most of the time there is no need to reinvent the wheel - many times you will use the same basic structure, refining it based on case details.
Hope this helps!
Best
Dorothea
Hi Kay,
these are very valid questions. Please see my answers below:
(1) In general, a comprehensive structure should cover the main aspects of the solution and if you do it right, it will. Your structure should not just be a collection of possible solutions to the problem, but you would assess different parts of the business one by one, thereby identifying the root cause of the problem. What does this mean looking at your case: Use the production process itself as a structure and its different components, not only how it works but also what it depends on (e.g. time). You would then maybe identify that there is one 8h-shift only, which could be expanded. If the structure you decide to use does not cover the main aspects your interviewer will guide you to it, however, obviously the less help and guidance you need the better are chances to solve the case successfully and receive a positive feedback
(2) There is a very valuable case bootcamp here on Preplounge (Resources --> BootCamp), which - if you want to understand theory before getting practice - will be very helpful. However, it will to no extent replace the actual case meetings you need in order to practice solving cases. Do as many cases as you need in order to develop an actual "feeling" for solving cases, this is essential for when it comes to the actual interview situation. Both the candidate and the interviewer role will help you tremendously in understanding what is important when solving cases.
(3) Your structure does not need to be super detailed. 2 levels is appropriate in most cases, and you can still work on your structure while you work through the case. Creating the structure should indeed not take longer than about 1min, because this is the point where most interviewers will interrupt and ask you to start (and you don't want 5min of silence anyways). As you practice more and more cases (see (2)), you will get used to creating a structure and you will see that most of the time there is no need to reinvent the wheel - many times you will use the same basic structure, refining it based on case details.
Hope this helps!
Best
Dorothea