How can you become better at structuring cases?

Hi,

It definitely comes with practice. Here is an algorithm how to develop this skill:

1. Make sure you understand all the different types of cases that you may face
2. Identify the most appropriate structure for each type
3. Solve 30-50 cases and try to understand where do they fit in your categorizations
4. Based on your experience think of the potential variations in structures within each of the case types

Here is some inspiration for you. Below you can find a list of the most common case types and some high-level recommendations on structuring:

1. Market sizing - structuring from the supply or demand side. Structuring using a formula or using an issue tree
2. Profitability - basic profitability framework. Remember about different revenue streams and product mix
3. Market context cases (Market Entry, New product, Acquisition, etc). Always start with the big picture "market". Finish with something specific to the case (e.g. How to enter?"). Structure it as if you are defining the work streams for the real project.
4. Operational math problem (e.g. Should we increase the speed of an elevator or just buy a second one? How should we reduce the queues? Etc.) - Structuring as a process / value chain, with inflows, operations, and outflows
5. Cost cutting - I provided the recommendations on structuring it here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/operations-cases-mck-1105#a2134
6. Valuation - Purely financial structure with cash flows, growth rate, WACC / hurdle rate, etc.
7. Synergies - revenue synergies (price, qty, mix) and cost synergies (value chain).
8. Social / economics cases (e.g. How to improve the quality of life in the city? How to increase the revenues of the museum?) - huge variability. Practice 3-5 social cases before the interview

This is just for inspiration. You should ideally make your own system.

Best of luck!

I have a few tips that help me structure cases, without memorizing more frameworks

✅ Using 'pauses' to approach a question with logic (vs reacting with fear)

? How: To use the 'pause', we can take 1-2 minutes to be more present and organize our approach for a question.

✅ Clarifying the question better, using the BOTM framework (Business-Objective-Timeline & Scope-Market)

? How: Look out for case prompts that scream "please clarify."

1. Short and vague case prompts
2. Estimation about something ‘random’
3. Long detailed prompts

✅ Building a storyline for their structure, to make it logical.

? How: Put yourself in the "client's" shoes. What would you logically do first?

Which questions do you need to answer first?

With these tips, you can solve your cases better, without memorizing more frameworks ?

Hi,

This is a perennial problem of new consultants, and something that firms want to try and help their consultants get better at. My take on this is that getting better at structuring (and problem solving) is a function of:

1. Making mistakes
2. Understanding why and where you made those mistakes
3. Understanding what good looks like
4. Learning and internalizing the lessons and putting it into practice

Essentially, this is the apprenticeship model of learning that MBB is based on.

If you are really struggling now - try and find someone that can help you especially on steps #2 and #3.

All the best!