Posts tagged ‘Oliver Wyman’

Case Interview Solution, new: Operations Case Video

Operations cases are difficult. Most candidates struggle to generate frameworks and invariable use a trial-and-error approach to find their way through. This is a messy technique which fails most of the time. Yet, the approach to solve operations cases surprisingly sits at the core of solving estimation and IT cases. Therefore, understanding proper operations case techniques is vital.

Moreover, operations consulting is a major part of McKinsey, Bain and BCG’s business as we discussed in this overview of the difference between strategy and operations and this overview of a McKinsey supply chain project. There is a severe shortage of candidates for these practices. Remember, all consultants at the top firms are treated equally, and due to the generalist model, you will be expected to do operations and strategy projects. So entering here makes you as good as any other consultant at these firms.

The video which follows presents an elegant method to solve operations cases. This case expects candidates to have a thorough understanding of some basic operations concepts. Any MBA graduate should easily be able to solve this case. Therein is the challenge. This case does not test any complex ideas. It merely tests the most basic principles of operations, and unless a candidate understands them very well, they will fall short. Operations cases can always be reduced to a 3-step analysis of a supply chain, but this needs to be carefully presented to the interviewer. Moreover, lack of familiarity with the approach will lead to lots of wasted time. Understanding bottlenecks in operations cases is also vital. A related concept to understand is marginal cost analysis. When joined, operations cases and marginal cost cases tend to be very challenging. Operations cases tend to be very long. It is essential the candidate uses guidance from the interviewer to focus on that part which will likely generate the answer.

This case video is animated. Selected screen shots of the video are presented below. Clients will find this video in session 6 of the online case solution library. The video is only available to clients of our case coaching service.