1.1 Overview: Problem dissection

The Framework Design Phase involves structuring complex problems into manageable parts and developing a systematic approach for analysis. It ensures comprehensive, organized, and hypothesis-driven problem-solving.


By outlining a framework at the start of a case interview, you not only stay organized but also provide the interviewer with a clear visual roadmap of your thought process and direction.

What is Tested:

Ability to break down complex problems into manageable components: This involves segmenting the issue into discrete parts that can be analyzed individually.

  • Using a logical framework or approach (e.g., issue trees, hypothesis-driven analysis): Applying structured methods to organize and analyze information systematically.

  • Ensuring that the analysis is comprehensive and mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive (MECE): Ensuring all aspects of the problem are covered without overlap, leaving no important factor unaddressed.

  • Ability to formulate clear and testable hypotheses: Developing specific, testable ideas about potential solutions or causes of the problem.

What is Tested:

Ability to break down complex problems into manageable components: This involves segmenting the issue into discrete parts that can be analyzed individually.

  • Using a logical framework or approach (e.g., issue trees, hypothesis-driven analysis): Applying structured methods to organize and analyze information systematically.

  • Ensuring that the analysis is comprehensive and mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive (MECE): Ensuring all aspects of the problem are covered without overlap, leaving no important factor unaddressed.

  • Ability to formulate clear and testable hypotheses: Developing specific, testable ideas about potential solutions or causes of the problem.

1.1 Overview: Problem dissection

The Framework Design Phase involves structuring complex problems into manageable parts and developing a systematic approach for analysis. It ensures comprehensive, organized, and hypothesis-driven problem-solving.


By outlining a framework at the start of a case interview, you not only stay organized but also provide the interviewer with a clear visual roadmap of your thought process and direction.

What is Tested:

Ability to break down complex problems into manageable components: This involves segmenting the issue into discrete parts that can be analyzed individually.

  • Using a logical framework or approach (e.g., issue trees, hypothesis-driven analysis): Applying structured methods to organize and analyze information systematically.

  • Ensuring that the analysis is comprehensive and mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive (MECE): Ensuring all aspects of the problem are covered without overlap, leaving no important factor unaddressed.

  • Ability to formulate clear and testable hypotheses: Developing specific, testable ideas about potential solutions or causes of the problem.