McKinsey experts - Language question

Question

Hi

what do McKinsey consultants call the issue tree first level? Buckets? Branchses? Drivers? Areas? Other?

Is there any other McKinsey terms or lingo to use that would make the interviewer feel more comfortable?

Answer 1

Hi!

the terminology (Branches, Sub-branches, drivers, levers etc) will not move the needle here (and there is no standardized nomenclature catalogue in McKinsey). What is far more important to put the interviewer at ease is to be crystal clear on the description of your driver tree and how all the elements/branches relate to each other. At the lowest (most granular) level, you will in most cases define a set of measures („levers“) by means of which the outcome can be influenced in one or another direction. Again - clear communication and „MECEness“ of the tree are crucial - not the nomenclature.

Cheers,

Sidi

Answer 2

Hi Anonymous,

buckets, branches and areas would all be fine. What is more relevant is that you distinguish between the terminology in the first and in the second level, as if you use the same terminology for both, it will be more difficult for the interview to follow in your structure. As a general rule, I suggest to candidates to call “Areas” the first level and “Steps” the second, in order to have the two levels clearly defined.

Best,
Francesco

Answer 3

Hi,

Basically, these are all the names for the same thing. I use the following approach:

Branches when I have an issue tree structure
Buckets / areas - when I make a broader structure of 3-4 blocks
Buckets of ideas in creativity questions
Drivers - when it is basically the driver (e.g. real estate drivers - cheap loans, growing economy, etc)

Best

Answer 4

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