Create a framework

- When I was in middle school my English teacher taught me the steps to writing a paper. First you brainstorm, then you outline the structure, then you start filling in the body of the paper. And make sure you wrap it up in a tidy conclusion. There was a clear, step-by-step formula to make the process of writing a lot easier. Frameworks are designed to do the same thing for you in a case study interview. This methodology helps break down the problem into fundamental components which makes presenting it to the interviewer simpler, cleaner, and more organized. Kind of like standardized resume templates, there are templated frameworks that you can utilize to help answer a case study question. Some of the most common include profitability, the four P's, market entry, and pricing frameworks. Do a quick Google search, and you'll be able to find a ton of proposed frameworks for various types of questions. Though templated frameworks are incredibly helpful, there are some common misconceptions we need to address. Number one: you have to know all the frameworks. More isn't better. Focus instead on applying the frameworks to types of questions, rather than learning as many as your brain can hold. Number two: the more elaborate the framework, the better. Bigger isn't better. Sometimes the simpler the framework, the easier it is for you to follow, and for the interviewer to understand. Number three: there is a templated framework that will match with every question. Perfect doesn't exist. Sometimes you get a question where none of the standardized frameworks work. Guess what, it's time to become an artiste and create your own. So if creating your own framework becomes the best way to go, how do you do it? Step one: sketch it out. I don't know about you, but I'm a visual person. I need to put pen to paper to refine my business strategy or navigate through a workflow. Similarly, mapping out an issue tree, structure, or formula, will help you better craft a framework for specific cases. Step two: see if you can make it MECE. In the consulting world, there's a concept called MECE, which stands for mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive. This concept is a way to break down problems so that different parts don't overlap, and so that all potential root causes of the clients problems are explored mutually and collective. Consulting firms love this methodology because it's client-friendly. When crafting a solid framework, refer back to MECE, and see if it aligns. Step three: practice, practice, practice. Now let me manage your expectations. The first time you try and build one of these frameworks, you're going to be terrible at it. Don't worry, you're in good company. Similar to how you would study for the SAT's, or LSAT's, you need to put the time in to land the job. Easiest way to practice? Use your framework on everyday problems. Need to find a parking spot? Enact your framework. It's not about the intensity of the problem, it's about retraining your brain to logically walk through issues. Overall, frameworks are the best way to organize your thoughts and impress the hiring manager. You just have to practice.