Well, that's because you're asking the wrong question! If you say "How long should my framework be?" Or "How many cases should I do before I'm ready", of course you're going to get a range of numbers!
Life isn't that simple
By the way, consulting won't be that simple either, so you need to change your mindset!
The most important is: Do my questions come off naturally, so as to not annoy/perturb the interviewer, and so as to make it clear that I am narrowing in on my framework and not just asking questions for the sake of asking them?
For some people this will be 1 question. Others can get away with 4-6 by "tactfully" asking multiple questions at once or in a nice flow. Same cases don't require any questions. Some cases are complicated/vague and need a lot. It depends!
First: What isn't clear?
Here, you just want to ask anything you don't understand. Naturally, we want to run away from what we don't know...consultants run towards it!
- Do you understand the context provided? Do I know how the industry works and how they company would likely be operating?
- Do you understand the problem/opportunity they face? Is it clear what they're trying to do?
Second: Use GOBTM
Write GOBTM at the bottom of your page in case you're stumped in part 1.
G = Geography (Where to they operate, where are they looking to go, etc.)
O = Objective (Can I clarify the exact objective of this case. I.e. increase profits by how much)
B = Business Model (Am I clear on how the company makes money and what they sell?)
T = Timing (Over what time frame does this solution/problem take place?)
M = Market (Who are my customers? What market do I operate in?)
Bonus
Fundamentally, you are trying to narrow your framework. You are tyring to ask questions that get you closer to the solution
Bonus 2
Never ask an open-ended/vague question. Try to lead with a hypothesis. For example, don't say "How does this shoe company work?". Rather say "I imagine the shoemaking process involves reviewing wood/leather, cutting/shaping it, sewing/gluing it together, and then finishing it in some way. Is this about right?"
Well, that's because you're asking the wrong question! If you say "How long should my framework be?" Or "How many cases should I do before I'm ready", of course you're going to get a range of numbers!
Life isn't that simple
By the way, consulting won't be that simple either, so you need to change your mindset!
The most important is: Do my questions come off naturally, so as to not annoy/perturb the interviewer, and so as to make it clear that I am narrowing in on my framework and not just asking questions for the sake of asking them?
For some people this will be 1 question. Others can get away with 4-6 by "tactfully" asking multiple questions at once or in a nice flow. Same cases don't require any questions. Some cases are complicated/vague and need a lot. It depends!
First: What isn't clear?
Here, you just want to ask anything you don't understand. Naturally, we want to run away from what we don't know...consultants run towards it!
- Do you understand the context provided? Do I know how the industry works and how they company would likely be operating?
- Do you understand the problem/opportunity they face? Is it clear what they're trying to do?
Second: Use GOBTM
Write GOBTM at the bottom of your page in case you're stumped in part 1.
G = Geography (Where to they operate, where are they looking to go, etc.)
O = Objective (Can I clarify the exact objective of this case. I.e. increase profits by how much)
B = Business Model (Am I clear on how the company makes money and what they sell?)
T = Timing (Over what time frame does this solution/problem take place?)
M = Market (Who are my customers? What market do I operate in?)
Bonus
Fundamentally, you are trying to narrow your framework. You are tyring to ask questions that get you closer to the solution
Bonus 2
Never ask an open-ended/vague question. Try to lead with a hypothesis. For example, don't say "How does this shoe company work?". Rather say "I imagine the shoemaking process involves reviewing wood/leather, cutting/shaping it, sewing/gluing it together, and then finishing it in some way. Is this about right?"