When I am being the interviewee, I always stuck in a long time to think which framework that I have to use for structuring the case. I need an advice for improving to think quick for recognizing the type of framework of the case that I am facing.
Hi,
It really depends on the case. If it is an issue tree case type, like profitability, you may have 2-3 buckets in the first level, while with open-ended cases it will be 3-4 buckets. Same with the levels and being MECE:
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:
So I recommend you to use a flexible approach depending on the type of the case. It definitely comes with practice. Here is an algorithm on how to develop this skill:
Best of luck!
Thanks Vlad for the answer! Anyway how we could identify quickly the most appropriate structure for each type of case? Because this is the phase where I often get stuck. For example when the interviewer had explained me the client situation and objective, I always stuck to structure the framework because simply I don't know which type of framework that I have to use for structuring and give recommendation. — Ben on Sep 28, 2018
I think you will find the coaches here will roughly fall in two different camps:
- First, the hardworking ones who like Ben suggest you learn a ton a various frameworks and hope you have the right now available in your backpocket / back of your head
- Second, the lazier ones like myself (I'd call ourselves 'pragmatic'), who suggest starting from a couple of tried-and-true frameworks that work in 95-99% of the cases: broadly, the business framework and the profitability framework
Where we meet again is that everyone will agree you still need to update to fit the actual case. In other words, everyone agrees you can't learn every single framework, and you will still need to adjust and think.
Look, here's what I strongly suggest: Learn the business and profitability frameworks really well, so you always have available in a bind. Everyone agrees you need to learn these ones. Then, go back and practice cases with coaches and fellow candidates as you normally would. If you feels like it, keep learning about additional frameworks on the side. No matter whether you are on the more pragmatic camp or not, you will still have to adjust the framework in nearly every instance. This is where being MECE and following the 80/20 rule will serve you well.
At the end of the day, you will need to practice a lot regardless - there are no shortcuts.
Hope this helps, good luck in your prep
Hi Ben,
This topic is so key, it has been discussed multiple times on this forum. So you will definetly find excellent answers from experts in previous Q&As.
To answer your question here, applying a standard framework is not a best practice. A unique client issue requires a unique solution, and the framework are the opposite since their purpose is to standardise the thinking. Learning them from the books is a good starting point, since its exhaustive and give a first idea of the different sub topics to cover in a given situation, but in the real case interview, you will always have to taylor your approach to only focus on the relevant topics given the current context of your case.
So in a nutshell, your common sens is your best ally :
1. Identifying all the topics : put yourself in your client shoes and think about what issue should be discussed for your to make a reasonable decision
2. Focusing on key topics only : for each topic you want to cover, ask yourself weither it will bring a usefull element for the final recomandation if your spend time on it. If not, drop it
3. Clusturing related topics in macro categories : this will facilitate your communication instead of listing randomly several ideas (which could be good by the way)
I hope this will help and can provide tailored exercise if needed by mp.
Best
Benjamin
(edited)
The case study is the most important element of the case interview, which you'll have to nail in order to get into strategic consulting. Here you can learn the specific skills and concepts necessary to solve them.
It is to practice as many cases as possible - both as interviewee and as interviewee. Here are a couple of guidelines to help you get started
Your client is SmartBridge, a nonprofit educational institution offering face-to-face tutoring services. The client operates in the US. The mission of SmartBridge is to help as many students as possible to complete studies and prevent that they drop from the school system, in particular in disadvan ... Open whole case
Sky China, a government-backed Chinese airline, has recently seen profits plummet due to COVID-19. Profits are down 80% in the months of February and March, but are showing early signs of a rebound in April. They've brought you in to first investigate what can be done immediatedly to prevent hemor ... Open whole case
Our client is Yoda's Phones, a national telecommunications company. They have embarked on a three-year, multi-million dollar digitization program. Unfortunately, two years into the program, they realize they are significantly behind schedule and over budget. You have been brought in to right the sh ... Open whole case
Problem definition: Our client is Korean Car Parts (KCP), a multi-national original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of car parts based in Korea. They've recently seen a decline in profits and have brought us in to understand how to address this falling profitability. Open whole case
[PLEASE NOTE: This is a technically difficult case and should only be completed by those coming in as a Technology specialist, i.e. recruiting for McKinsey Digital, BCG Platinion, etc.] Our client is a multinational oil and gas company. While they are vertically integrated and have upstream, midstr ... Open whole case
Structure Anything 
