Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

Qualitative Case

How do I structure a qualitative case such that the structure is MECE? And how can I structure it in time constraint (below 5 mins) 

1
3.2k
10
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Vlad
Coach
on May 29, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi! 

This is a very broad question. In fact, you have a minute to make a MECE structure. 

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!

Similar Questions
Consulting
Is this a MECE structure ?
on May 29, 2025
Global
5
300+
Top answer by
Mihir
Coach
McKinsey Associate Partner and interviewer | Bulletproof MBB prep
12
5 Answers
300+ Views
+2
Consulting
Is this structure is MECE and focused?
on Jun 22, 2025
Global
7
100+
Top answer by
Sarah
Coach
Ex-McKinsey EM in London, foreign student with no prior consulting internship experience
7
7 Answers
100+ Views
+4
Consulting
Question about
Using the Issue Tree
on Aug 27, 2024
Global
4
1.2k
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 9+ years consulting, interviewing and coaching experience
48
4 Answers
1.2k Views
+1