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Issue tree

business case
New answer on Nov 07, 2021
3 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Nov 07, 2021

What is an issue tree for cases like why has profits declined and how to fix it? can someone give an example with 2 items under bucket they would look at?

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 07, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

A driver tree is literally a different thing to buckets and a framework! 

A framework is 3 buckets which a bunch of things to look at. A driver tree is essentially all the pathways a case could take…

For example (this is overly generic/simplified, but the easiest way to explain this):

  1. Are revenues down?
    1. If yes, are certain products down?
      1. If yes, investigate the largest down products
        1. Are volumes down?
          1. If yes, xxx
          2. If no, have we changed our prices?
      2. If no, assess the market overall (or other splits like geography, business units, etc.)
    2. If no, are certain geographies down?
      1. If yes, investigate the largest down products.
        1. xxx
      2. xxx

^Please don't interpret this as what you always have to do for profitability, but it's an example of a possible line of questioning (i.e. driver tree)

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Agrim
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replied on Nov 07, 2021
BCG Dubai Project Leader | Learn to think like a Consultant | Free personalised prep plan | 6+ years in Consulting

Honestly, the best strategy is to not have a single generic issue tree that you will stick in every case.

A good caser always creates a customized and relevant issue tree that is tailored to the specific case and specific client and specific industry.

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Anonymous B on Nov 07, 2021

yes, an example would be nice to see what this is supposed to look like..are they meant to be questions under each bucket etc..

Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 07, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi!

If you have a specific case in mind post it here with a tentative structure so that we could give you more accurate feedback.

Best,

Anto

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Ian

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