What is a Case Interview Framework?
A framework is your structured approach to breaking down a business problem into analyzable pieces. Good frameworks are MECE (mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive), customized to the specific case, and presented clearly in 2-3 minutes.
Quick Facts
| Purpose | Organize your analysis systematically |
| Presentation Time | 2-3 minutes (candidate-led cases) |
| Ideal Buckets | 3-4 main areas with 2-3 sub-points each |
| Key Principle | MECE (no overlaps, no gaps) |
| Common Mistake | Using memorized frameworks without customization |
Framework vs. Memorized Template
| Aspect | Good Framework | Memorized Template |
|---|---|---|
| Customization | Tailored to the case prompt | Same structure every time |
| Language | Uses case-specific terms | Generic business buzzwords |
| First Bucket | Addresses the core issue | Always starts with "market" |
| Impression | Thoughtful, consultant-like | Robotic, under-prepared |
Common Starting Points
These are building blocks, not scripts. Adapt them to each case:
Profitability
Profit = Revenue - Costs
- • Revenue: Price × Volume (segments, channels, products)
- • Costs: Fixed vs. Variable (by category)
- • External: Market trends, competition
Market Entry
- • Market: Size, growth, segments, trends
- • Competition: Players, share, differentiation
- • Customer: Needs, willingness to pay, switching costs
- • Capabilities: What we bring, gaps to fill
- • Financials: Investment, breakeven, ROI
M&A / Investment
- • Target: What are we buying? (products, customers, capabilities)
- • Standalone Value: Target's current performance
- • Synergies: Revenue and cost synergies
- • Risks: Integration, culture, regulatory
- • Valuation: Is the price justified?
Example: Customized Framework
Case Prompt:
"A regional grocery chain is seeing declining profits despite stable revenue. The CEO wants to know why and what to do."
✅ Customized Framework
"Since revenue is stable but profits are declining, I'll focus on the cost side. I want to understand:"
- 1. Store Operations: Labor costs, shrinkage, utility costs per store
- 2. Supply Chain: Supplier pricing changes, logistics costs, inventory management
- 3. Product Mix: Margin profile changes, shift to lower-margin categories
- 4. Competitive Response: Pricing pressure from discounters, promotional spending
Why it works: Acknowledges what we know (revenue stable), focuses on the likely issue (costs), uses grocery-specific language.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many buckets should my framework have?
3-4 is ideal. Fewer than 3 is too shallow. More than 5 is unfocused and hard to remember. Each bucket should have 2-3 sub-points you can explore.
Do I need a framework for interviewer-led cases (McKinsey)?
Less critical, but still helpful. McKinsey interviewers typically guide you through specific questions. However, having a mental framework helps you organize your thoughts when they ask "what factors would you consider?"
Can I modify my framework mid-case?
Yes, and good candidates do. If your analysis reveals something unexpected, acknowledge it: "Based on what we've found about costs, I want to add competitive pricing as a new area to explore."
Related Terms
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