How to pick a good (non-generic) and appropriate framework?

Case structure and frameworks Framework
Recent activity on Mar 04, 2019
1 Answer
2.0 k Views
Jiawei asked on Mar 03, 2019

While practicing a case with a consultant, I was told that my framework was too generic. It was a merger & acquisition case, and I used a "Customer, Product, Company, Competition" framework and applied that to Company A, Company B, and A+B.

I agree that it's sort of a generic framework and is not very compelling. But how can we avoid using generic frameworks and come up with a framework that better fits the situation? Is it just by experience or are there ways that we can use to improve this skill?

Thanks.

(edited)

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Vlad
Expert
replied on Mar 04, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

No Magic pill - it comes with practice.

You should build a structure using your previous experience, based on:

  • Objective (Should have a metric and time-frame)
  • Context

There is a number of ways how you can approach in a MECE way:

  1. If your structure works mathematically (e.g. Total time spent on cleaning operation = # of people x Frequency x Hours per cleaning per person)
  2. If your structure comes from a well-known formula (e.g. output rate = total number of people being served / time to serve one person)
  3. If you are using the common industry drivers (e.g. revenues = # of customers x av. check) (e.g Passengers on the plane = capacity x Load Factor) or the industry revenue streams (Fuel revenues / non-fuel revenues for the gas station) or the functional drivers (e.g. for the problems in sales : Sales strategy / sales people and allocation / motivation / sales process)
  4. If your issue tree is a real framework used by the consultants (e.g. the famous Bain Cap framework for PE due dills: Market / Competitors / Company / Feasibility of exit) (e.g. People / Process / Technology) (e.g. The famous McKinsey framework - People don't want to do smth / they can't do smth / smth prevents them from doing that)
  5. If your structure is a well-known academically MECE framework (e.g. Product / Distribution / Price / Marketing (Also known as 4P))

Best

Was this answer helpful?
Vlad gave the best answer

Vlad

McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
429
Meetings
12,186
Q&A Upvotes
127
Awards
4.9
186 Reviews
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely