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Sticking to the Structure

case structure exhibits issue tree
Recent activity on Sep 02, 2018
2 Answers
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Kristian asked on Sep 02, 2018

Hi there!

Lets say you have drawn out a structure for your case. Then you asked for some information regarding say the 1st branch of your issue tree, and were given information (say an exhitbit) that was applicable also for the 3rd branch. Should you go on and discuss that extra information right away, or should you stick to your structure and get back to the exhibit when you reach branch 3? I find myself often doing the first, and it tends to get a little messy moving forward and backward between the branches. Do you have any tips as to how to avoid this?

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Benjamin
Expert
 replied on Sep 02, 2018
ex-Manager - Natural and challenging teacher - Taylor case solving, no framework

Hi Kristian,

regarding the structure, the one rule you should observe is too always make sure your interviewer follow your reasoning. So you have to make it clear weither or not you navigate accros the initial structure announced.

Regarding your question the answer obviously depends on the situation :

- sometimes it might be necessary to jump directly to another issue branch ig the last findings reveals that other breanch are unecessary.

-You could as well state that there are some remarks related to an other branch of the issue ture, that you will adress later when covering the relevant branch in the issue tree

Imagine the interviewer as your client, you must show as much pedagogy as possible for him to follow your thinking.

Hope this helps

Best

Benjamin

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Kristian on Sep 02, 2018

Thank you!

Best answer
Vlad
Expert
 replied on Sep 02, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

You should jump directly to the table for the following reasons:

  • Your major enemy is time. If you don't do it now - most probably you will not solve the case in time
  • The interviewer is managing the time, so there might be a reason why he gave you the table
  • The interviewer wants to help you. There is no objective to prevent you from solving the case

Thus trust the interviewer and analyze the table

Best!

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