How to Structure a Consulting Case Interview

A good case structure shows interviewers how you think before you solve. If your structure is clear, everything else gets easier.

Step 1: align on objective

• restate the problem in one sentence
• define success metric
• confirm key constraint

Step 2: propose a clean structure

• use 2 to 4 non-overlapping branches
• tie each branch to decision value
• state your initial hypothesis

Step 3: prioritize and test

• ask for data that can eliminate branches fast
• update hypothesis as evidence changes
• summarize direction every few minutes

Step 4: close like a consultant

• recommendation first
• two supporting reasons
• one risk and mitigation

Common mistake

Candidates collect too much data before choosing a direction. Interviewers reward structured prioritization, not exhaustive exploration.