There are several schools of thought and methodologies for solving case interviews. Each has its own approach, tools, and techniques. Here are some of the most prominent ones:

• Victor Cheng's Frameworks:

  • Business Situation Framework: Used to identify the core issues in business problems by breaking them down into four categories: customers, products, company, and competition.

  • Profitability Framework: Focuses on diagnosing profitability issues by analyzing revenue streams and cost structures.

  • M&A Framework: Evaluates mergers and acquisitions by assessing the potential synergies and strategic fit between the companies involved.

• Case in Point by Marc Cosentino:

  • 12 Case Scenarios: Provides specific frameworks for different types of cases such as market-sizing, entering a new market, mergers and acquisitions, pricing, growth strategies, etc.

  • Ivy Case System: A step-by-step approach to structuring and solving case interviews, emphasizing hypothesis-driven thinking and structured problem-solving.

• McKinsey Problem-Solving Approach:

  • MECE (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive): Ensures that all aspects of a problem are covered without any overlap.

  • Decision Tree: Breaks down the problem into smaller, manageable parts to systematically address each aspect.

  • Hypothesis-Driven Approach: Starts with a hypothesis and uses data and analysis to validate or refine it.

• BCG's Hypothesis-Driven Approach:

  • Focus on Key Drivers: Identifies the most important factors influencing the problem.

  • Iterative Process: Continuously refines the hypothesis based on data and insights.

  • Analytical Rigor: Uses detailed data analysis to support conclusions and recommendations.

• Bain's Approach to Case Interviews:

  • Structured Frameworks: Uses specific frameworks tailored to common case types such as profitability, market entry, growth strategy, etc.

  • Practical and Real-World Focus: Emphasizes practical solutions and real-world business experience.

  • Collaborative Style: Encourages a collaborative problem-solving approach, similar to working with a client.

• The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto:

  • Top-Down Communication: Structures information in a pyramid format, starting with the main conclusion and supporting it with arguments and data.

  • Clarity and Conciseness: Focuses on clear and concise communication of ideas and solutions.

• Other:

  • Case Competitions and Academic Approaches: Often use a combination of frameworks and emphasize creativity, presentation skills, and teamwork.

  • Industry-Specific Frameworks:

    • Healthcare Cases: Focus on regulatory environment, patient outcomes, and cost structures.

    • Technology Cases: Emphasize innovation, scalability, and competitive landscape.

    • Retail Cases: Focus on consumer behavior, supply chain management, and pricing strategies.