Problem Solving & Consulting Methodologies

Component

Marks

Description

Mapped CO

Simulations

20

Sim 1 (10M): The Client Interview. Sim 2 (10M): The SteerCo Meeting.

CO2, CO4

Case Study

10

"The Case Interview": Solving a live consulting case (Profitability/Market Entry).

CO1, CO3

Presentation

10

"The Pyramid Deck": Structuring a recommendation using Minto principles.

CO5

Mid-Term

10

Internal written exam covering MECE and Logic Trees.

CO1

Project

10

"Issue Tree Design": Breaking down a complex problem into sub-issues.

CO2

Participation

10

Active involvement in case prep.

All

Session

Topic

Pre-Reading (Ethan Rasiel)

Assignment / Case Study

1

The Consulting Mindset

Fact-based, hypothesis-driven thinking.

Part 1: The Problem

Assignment: Frame a problem statement for a campus issue.

2

The MECE Principle

Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive.

Ch 1: Building the Solution

Task: Create a MECE breakdown of "Ways to Increase Profit".

3

Logic Trees

Issue trees vs. Hypothesis trees.

Ch 1 (Contd.)

Project: Build an Issue Tree for declining sales.

4

The Initial Hypothesis

Generating and testing early solutions.

Ch 2: Developing the Approach

Assignment: Formulate a hypothesis for a restaurant losing money.

5

The 80/20 Rule in Consulting

Focusing on the vital few drivers.

Ch 3: 80/20 & Other Rules

Task: Analyze a dataset to find the 80/20 split.

6

The Elevator Test

Communicating the solution in 30 seconds.

Ch 3 (Contd.)

Assignment: Record a 30-second elevator pitch.

7

Gathering Data

Research strategies and interviewing experts.

Part 2: Solving the Problem

Task: Draft an Interview Guide for an expert call.

8

Conducting Client Interviews

Listening, probing, and managing stakeholders.

Ch 5: Conducting Interviews

Role Play: Mock client interview.

9

Mid-Term Internal Exam

Assessment of MECE, Trees, and Hypotheses.

Review: Sessions 1–8

Assessment: Written Exam (10 Marks).

10

Simulation Lab 1: The Client Interview

Gathering requirements from a difficult client.

Manual: Interview Sim

Assessment: Simulation Performance Score (10 Marks).

11

The Minto Pyramid Principle

Structuring arguments: SCQA (Situation, Complication, Question, Answer).

Ref: Barbara Minto

Assignment: Rewrite a messy email using Pyramid Principle.

12

Brainstorming & Ideation

Structured brainstorming techniques for teams.

Ch 6: Brainstorming

Task: Conduct a brainstorming session for a new product.

13

Analyzing the Data

Letting the data tell the story (Waterfall charts).

Part 3: Selling the Solution

Assignment: Create a Waterfall Chart for profit changes.

14

Presenting to the Client

Designing the "Deck" and managing the room.

Ch 9: Presentations

Task: Storyboard a 5-slide presentation.

15

Simulation Lab 2: The SteerCo Meeting

Presenting progress to a Steering Committee.

Manual: Meeting Sim

Assessment: Simulation Performance Score (10 Marks).

16

Managing Internal Teams

Working with engagement managers and partners.

Ch 11: Managing Your Team

Case Study: Team Conflict at McKinsey.

17

Managing the Client

Building trust and managing scope creep.

Ch 12: Managing Clients

Assignment: Draft an email pushing back on scope creep.

18

The Case Interview Framework

Profitability, Market Entry, and M&A frameworks.

Ref: Case in Point

Activity: Live Case Interview practice.

19

Capstone Presentation

Presenting "The Pyramid Deck".

Manual: Presentation Rubric

Assessment: Group Presentation (10 Marks).

20

Course Synthesis

Ethics and Professional Standards in Consulting.

Ref: Professional Standards

Submission: Final Course Portfolio.