management consultant case study examples

35 Case Interviews Examples from MBB / Big Four Firms

Studying case interview examples is one of the first steps in preparing for the  management consulting  recruitment process. If you don’t want to spend hours searching the web, this article presents a comprehensive and convenient list for you – with 35 example cases, 16 case books, along with a case video accompanied by detailed feedback on tips and techniques.

A clear understanding of “what is a case interview” is essential for effective use of these examples. I suggest reading our  Case Interview 101  guide, if you haven’t done so.

McKinsey case interview examples

Mckinsey practice cases.

• Diconsa Case
• Electro-Light Case
• GlobaPharm Case
• National Education Case

What should I know about McKinsey Case interviews?

At McKinsey, case interviews often follow the interviewer-led format , where the interviewer asks you multiple questions for you to answer with short pitches.

How do you nail these cases? Since the questions can be grouped into predictable types, an efficient approach is to master each question type. However, do that after you’ve mastered the case interview fundamentals!

For a detailed guide on interviewer-led cases, check out our article on McKinsey Case Interview .

BCG & Bain case interview examples

Bcg practice cases.

• BCG – Written Case – Chateau Boomerang

Bain practice cases

• Bain – Coffee Shop Co.
• Bain – Fashion Co.
• Bain – Mock Interview – Associate Consultant
• Bain – Mock Interview – Consultant

What should I know about BCG & Bain case interviews?

Unlike McKinsey, BCG and Bain case interviews typically follow the candidate-led format – which is the opposite of interviewer-led, with the candidate driving the case progress by actively breaking down problems in their own way.

The key to acing candidate-led cases is to master the case interview fundamental concepts as well as the frameworks.

Some BCG and Bain offices also utilize written case interviews – you have to go through a pile of data slides, select the most relevant ones to answer a set of interviewer questions, then deliver those answers in a presentation.

For a detailed guide on candidate-led cases, check out our article on BCG & Bain Case Interview .

Deloitte case interview examples

Deloitte practice cases.

Undergrad Cases

• Human Capital – Technology Institute
• Human Capital – Agency V
• Strategy – Federal Benefits Provider
• Strategy – Extreme Athletes
• Technology – Green Apron
• Technology – Big Bucks Bank
• Technology – Top Engine
• Technology – Finance Agency

Advanced Cases

• Human Capital – Civil Cargo Bureau
• Human Capital – Capital Airlines
• Strategy – Club Co
• Strategy – Health Agency
• Technology – Waste Management
• Technology – Bank of Zurich
• Technology – Galaxy Fitness

What should I know about Deloitte case interviews?

Case interviews at Deloitte also lean towards the candidate-led format like BCG and Bain.

The Deloitte consultant recruitment process also features group case interviews , which not only test analytical skills but also place a great deal on interpersonal handling.

Accenture case interview examples

Accenture divides its cases into three types with very cool-sounding names.

Sorted in descending order of popularity, they are:

These are similar to candidate-led cases at Bain and BCG. albeit shorter – the key is to develop a suitable framework and ask the right questions to extract data from the interviewer.

These are similar to the market-sizing and guesstimate questions asked in interviewer-led cases – demonstrate your calculations in structured, clear-cut, logical steps and you’ll nail the case.

These cases have you sort through a deluge of data to draw solutions; however, this type of case is rare.

Capital One case interview examples

Capital One is the odd one on this list – it is a bank-holding company. Nonetheless, this being one of the biggest banks in America, it’s interesting to see how its cases differ from the consulting ones.

Having gone through Capital One’s guide to its cases, I can’t help but notice the less-MECE structure of the sample answers. Additionally, there seems to be a greater focus on the numbers.

Nonetheless, having a solid knowledge of the basics of case interviews will not hurt you – if anything, your presentation will be much more in-depth, comprehensive, and understandable!

See Capital One Business Analyst Case Interview for an example case and answers.

Other firms case interview examples

Besides the leading ones, we have some examples from other major consulting firms as well.

• Oliver Wyman – Wumbleworld
• Oliver Wyman – Aqualine
• LEK – Cinema
• LEK – Market Sizing
• Kearney – Promotional Planning
• OC&C – Imported Spirits
• OC&C – Leisure Clubs

Consulting clubs case books

In addition to official cases, here are a few case books you can use as learning materials.

Do keep in mind: don’t base your study on frameworks and individual case types, but master the fundamentals so you can tackle any kind of case.

• Wharton Consulting Club Case Book
• Tuck Consulting Club Case Book
• MIT Sloan Consulting Club Case Book
• LBS Consulting Club Case Book
• Kellogg Consulting Club Case Book
• INSEAD Consulting Club Case Book
• Harvard Consulting Club Case Book
• ESADE Consulting Club Case Book
• Darden Consulting Club Case Book
• Berkeley Consulting Club Case Book
• Notre-Dame Consulting Club Case Book
• Illinois Consulting Club Case Book
• Columbia Consulting Club Case Book
• Duke Consulting Club Case Book
• Ross Consulting Club Case Book
• Kearney Case Book

Case interview example – Case video

The limitation of most official case interview examples is that they are either too short and vague, or in text format, or both.

To solve that problem for you, we’ve extracted a 30-minute-long, feedback-rich case sample from our Case Interview End-to-End Secrets Program .

This is a candidate-led, profitability case on an internet music broadcasting company called Pandora.

In 30 minutes, this candidate demonstrates the exact kind of shortcoming that most candidates suffer during real case interviews – they come in with sharp business senses, then hurt their own chances with inadequate techniques.

Here are seven notable areas where the candidate (and you) can improve:

Thanking Throughout the case, as especially in the opening, he should have shown more appreciation for the time the interviewer spent with him.

Structured opening The candidate’s opening of the case feels unstructured. He could have improved it by not mixing the playback and clarification parts. You can learn to nail the case in a 3-minute start through this video on How to Open Any Case Perfectly .

Explicitness A lot of the candidate’s thought process remains in his head; in a case interview, it’s better to be as explicit as possible – draw your issue tree out and point to it as you speak; state your hypothesis when you move into a branch; when you receive data, acknowledge it out loud.

Avoiding silence The silence in his case performance is too long, including his timeout and various gaps in his speech; either ask for timeout (and keep it as short as possible) or think out loud to fill those gaps.

Proactivity The candidate relies too much on the interviewer (e.g: asking for data when it can easily be calculated); you don’t want to appear lazy before your interviewer, so avoid this.

Avoiding repeating mistakes Making one mistake twice is a big no-no in consulting interviews; one key part of the consulting skill set is the ability to learn, and repeating your mistakes (especially if the interviewer has pointed it out) makes you look like someone who doesn’t learn.

Note-taking Given the mistakes this candidate makes, he’s probably not taking his notes well. I can show you how to get it right if you watch this video on Case Interview Note-Taking .

Nonetheless, there are three good points you can learn from the candidate:

The candidate sums up what he’s covered and announces his upcoming approach at the start and at key points in the case – this is a very good habit that gives you a sense of direction and shows that you’re an organized person.

The candidate performs a “reality check” on whether his actions match the issue tree; in a case interview it’s easy to lose track of what you’re doing, so remember to do this every once in a while.

The candidate prompts the interviewer to give out more data than he asked for; if anything, this actually matches a habit of real consultants, and if you’re lucky, your interviewer may actually give out important pieces you haven’t thought of.

These are only part of the “ninja tips” taught In our Case Interview E2E Secrets Program – besides the math and business intuition for long-term development, a key feature is the instant-result tips and techniques for case interviews.

Once you’ve mastered them, you can nail any case they throw at you!

For more “quality” practice, let’s have a mock case interview with former consultants from McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Oliver Wyman, Strategy& and many other consulting firms. They will help you identify your problem areas and give you actionable feedback, making your preparation much easier and faster.

Hi! This is Kim and welcome to another performance in the Tips & Techniques part of our amazing End-to-end program. You are about to hear a really interesting performance.

There is a common Myth that Profitability cases are easier. Well, for beginners, that’s may make sense, but I would argue that Profitability cases can be really tricky and candidates without good foundation will make about the same level of mistakes regardless of type of cases given.

The profitability case we are about to watch will show that. It’s a very unconventional

Profitability. It started out like a typical one but getting more and more tricky toward the end.

The candidate is fairly good in term of business intuition, but the Tips & Techniques aspect needs a lot of fine tune! Now let’s go ahead and get started! 

It’s actually a little better to playback the case information and ask clarifications. The candidate does not distinguish between the two and do both at a same time. Also, the candidate was asking these clarifications in an unorganized and unstructured fashion. This is not something terrible, but could have been better, especially when this is the very first part of the case, where the crucial first impression is being formed.

My pitch would sound like this:

“That’s a very interesting problem and I am happy to get the chance to solve it. First of all let me tell you my understanding of the case context and key objectives. Then I would like to ask a few clarifying questions regarding a few terminology and concepts. Both of these are to make sure that I will be solving the right problem.

So here is my understanding of the case: The client is ABC. Here are some DEF facts about the situation we just talked about. And the key case question is XYZ.

Does that correctly and adequately summarize the case?”

Once the interviewer confirms, I would move to the clarification part as follows: “Now I would like to ask a few clarification questions. There are three of them: No 1, … No 2, … and No 3, …”

You may see above pitch as obvious but that’s a perfect example of how you should open any cases. Every details matters. We will point out those details in just a second. But before we do that, it’s actually very helpful if you can go back, listen carefully to the above pitch, and try to point out the great components yourselves. Only after that, go back to this point and learn it all together.

Alright, let’s break down the perfect opening.

First of all, you hear me say: “That’s a very interesting problem and I am happy to get a chance to solve it”. This seems trivial but very beneficial in multiple ways:

1. I bought myself a couple of seconds to calm down and get focused. 2. By nature, we as human unconsciously like those who give us compliments. Nothing better than opening the case with a modest compliment to the interviewer.

And (c) I showed my great attitude towards the case, which the interviewer would assume is the same for real future consulting business problems.

You should do that in your interviews too. Say it and accompany it with the best smile you can give. It shows that you are not afraid of any problems. In fact, you love them and you are always ready for them.

Secondly, I did what I refer to as the “map habit”, which is to always say what you are about to do and then do it. Just like somebody in the car showing the drivers the route before cruising on the road. The driver would love it. This is where I said: “Let me tell you my understanding of the case context and key objectives. Then ABC…”.

Third, right at the beginning of the case, I try to be crystal clear and easy to follow. I don’t let the interviewer confused between playing the case vs. asking clarification questions. I distinguish between the two really carefully. This habit probably doesn’t change the outcome of how the case goes that much, but it certainly significantly changes the impression the interviewer has of me.

Fourth, in playing back the case, each person would have a different way to re-phrase. But there are three buckets to always include:

1. Who is the client 2. The facts regarding the client and the situation and (c) The key question and the objective of the case.

Fifth, after playing the case context and objectives, I pause for a second and ALIGN with the interviewer: “Does it correctly and adequately summarize the case?”. This is a habit that every consulting manager loves for young consultants to do. Nobody wants first-year folks to spend weeks of passion and hard-work building an excel model that the team can’t use. This habit is extensively taught at McKinsey, Bain and BCG, so therefore interviewers would love somebody that exhibits this habit often in case interview.

Lastly, when asking clarification questions, you hear me number them very carefully to create the strong impression that I am very organized and structured. I said I have three clarifying questions. Then I number them as I go through each. No.1, No.2, and No.3.

Sometimes, during interviews it’s hard to know exactly how many items you are going to get. One way is to take timeout often to carefully plan your pitch. If this is not possible in certain situations, you may skip telling how many items you have; but you should definitely still number your question: No.1, No.2; and so on. 

Just a moment ago, the candidate actually exhibited a good habit. After going through his clarification questions, the candidate ended by asking the “is there anything else” question. In this case, I actually give out an important piece of data.

Though this is not very common as not every interviewer is that generous in giving out data. But this is a habit management consultants have to have every day when talking to experts, clients, or key stakeholders. The key is to get the most data and insights out of every interview and this is the type of open-ended question every consultant asks several times a day.

To show of this habit in a case interview is very good!

There are three things I would like you to pay attention to:

First, it took the candidate up to 72 seconds to “gather his thoughts”. This is a little too long in a case interview. I intentionally leave the 72 seconds of silence in the recording so you get an idea of how long that is in real situations. But it’s worth-noting here is not only that. While in some very complicated and weird cases, it’s ok to take that long to really think and gather ideas. In this case, the approach as proposed by the candidate is very simple. For this very approach, I think no more than 15 to 20 seconds should be used.

No.2, with that said, I have told I really like the fact that this candidate exhibits the “map” habit. Before going straight to the approach he draws the overall approach first.

No.3. You also see here that the candidate tried to align the approach with me by asking my thoughts on it. As I just said on the previous comment, this is a great habit to have. Not only does it help reduce chance of going into the wrong direction in case interviews, but it also creates a good impression. Consulting interviewers love people doing it often!

Here we see a not-really-bad response that for sure could be much better. The candidate was going into the first branch of the analysis which is Revenue. I would fix this in 3 aspects:

First, even though we just talked about the overall approach, it’s still better to briefly set up the issue tree first then clearly note that you are going into one branch.

Second, this is not a must, but I always try to make my hypothesis as explicitly clear as possible. Here the candidate just implicitly made a hypothesis that the problem is on the revenue side. The best way to show our hypothesis-driven mindset is to explicitly say it.

Third, you hear this a ton of times in our End-to-End program but I am going to repeat it again and again. It is better to show the habit of aligning here too. Don’t just go into revenue, before doing that, give the interviewer a chance to agree or to actually guide you to Cost.

So, summarizing the above insights, my pitch would sound something like this:

“So as we just discussed, a profit problem is either caused by revenue or by cost. Unless you would like to go into cost first, let’s hypothesize that the problem is on revenue side. I would like to look deeper into Revenue. Do we have any data on the revenue?”

And while saying this, you should literally draw an issue tree and point to each as you speak.

There is an interesting case interview tip I want to point out here. Notice how the candidate responds after receiving two data points from me. He went straight into the next question without at least acknowledging the data received and also without briefly analyzing it.

I am glad that the candidate makes this mistakes… well, not glad for him but for the greater audience of this program. I would like to introduce to you the perfect habit of what you should react and do every time you have any piece of data during case interviews. So three things you need to do:

Step 1: Say … that’s an interesting piece of data. This helps the interviewer acknowledge that you have received and understand the data. This also buys you a little time. And furthermore, it’s always a good thing to give out modest compliments to the interviewer.

Step 2: Describe the data, how it looks, is there any special noteworthy trend? In this case, we should point out that revenue actually grew by more than 50%.

Also notice here that I immediately quantified the difference in specific quantitative measurement (in this case, percentage). Saying revenue went up is good, but it’s great to be able to say revenue went up by more than 50%.

Step 3: Link the trend identified back to the original case question and the hypothesis you have. Does it prove, disprove, or open up new investigation to really test the hypothesis? In this case, this data piece actually opened up new investigating areas to test the hypothesis that the bottleneck is within revenue.

My sample pitch for this step 3 would sound like this: “It’s interesting that revenue went up quite a bit. However, to be able to fully reject our hypothesis on the revenue, I would like to compare our revenue to that of the competitors as well.”

Then only at this point, after going through 3 steps above, I ask for the competitors’ revenue like the candidate did.

Notice here that I ended up asking the same question the candidate did. This shows that the candidate does have a good intuition and thought process. It’s just that he did all of these implicitly on his head.

In consulting case interview, it’s always good to do everything as explicitly as possible. Not only is it easier to follow but it helps show your great thought process.

… the rest of the transcript is available in our End To End Case Interview

Learn the Secrets to Case Interview!

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Case Interview End-to-End Secrets Program

Elevate your case interview skills with a well-rounded preparation package

Preparing for case interviews is a hard task when you only have 1 week, so the first part you need to learn during this time is fundamentals of case interview

Case interview in consulting is difficult with the passing rate is around 10%. This is because big consulting firms keep an extremely high recruitment standard

A case interview is where candidates is asked to solve a business problem. They are used by consulting firms to evaluate problem-solving skill & soft skills

47 case interview examples (from McKinsey, BCG, Bain, etc.)

One of the best ways to prepare for   case interviews  at firms like McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, is by studying case interview examples. 

There are a lot of free sample cases out there, but it's really hard to know where to start. So in this article, we have listed all the best free case examples available, in one place.

The below list of resources includes interactive case interview samples provided by consulting firms, video case interview demonstrations, case books, and materials developed by the team here at IGotAnOffer. Let's continue to the list.

• McKinsey examples
• BCG examples
• Bain examples
• Deloitte examples
• Other firms' examples
• Case books from consulting clubs
• Case interview preparation

Click here to practise 1-on-1 with MBB ex-interviewers

1. mckinsey case interview examples.

• Beautify case interview (McKinsey website)
• Diconsa case interview (McKinsey website)
• Electro-light case interview (McKinsey website)
• GlobaPharm case interview (McKinsey website)
• National Education case interview (McKinsey website)
• Talbot Trucks case interview (McKinsey website)
• Shops Corporation case interview (McKinsey website)
• Conservation Forever case interview (McKinsey website)
• McKinsey case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)
• McKinsey live case interview extract (by IGotAnOffer) - See below

2. BCG case interview examples

• Foods Inc and GenCo case samples  (BCG website)
• Chateau Boomerang written case interview  (BCG website)
• BCG case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)
• Written cases guide (by IGotAnOffer)
• BCG live case interview with notes (by IGotAnOffer)
• BCG mock case interview with ex-BCG associate director - Public sector case (by IGotAnOffer)
• BCG mock case interview: Revenue problem case (by IGotAnOffer) - See below

3. Bain case interview examples

• CoffeeCo practice case (Bain website)
• FashionCo practice case (Bain website)
• Associate Consultant mock interview video (Bain website)
• Consultant mock interview video (Bain website)
• Written case interview tips (Bain website)
• Bain case interview guide   (by IGotAnOffer)
• Digital transformation case with ex-Bain consultant
• Bain case mock interview with ex-Bain manager (below)

4. Deloitte case interview examples

• Engagement Strategy practice case (Deloitte website)
• Recreation Unlimited practice case (Deloitte website)
• Strategic Vision practice case (Deloitte website)
• Retail Strategy practice case  (Deloitte website)
• Finance Strategy practice case  (Deloitte website)
• Talent Management practice case (Deloitte website)
• Enterprise Resource Management practice case (Deloitte website)
• Footloose written case  (by Deloitte)
• Deloitte case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

5. Accenture case interview examples

• Case interview workbook (by Accenture)
• Accenture case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

6. OC&C case interview examples

• Leisure Club case example (by OC&C)
• Imported Spirits case example (by OC&C)

7. Oliver Wyman case interview examples

• Wumbleworld case sample (Oliver Wyman website)
• Aqualine case sample (Oliver Wyman website)
• Oliver Wyman case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

8. A.T. Kearney case interview examples

• Promotion planning case question (A.T. Kearney website)
• Consulting case book and examples (by A.T. Kearney)
• AT Kearney case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

9. Strategy& / PWC case interview examples

• Presentation overview with sample questions (by Strategy& / PWC)
• Strategy& / PWC case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

10. L.E.K. Consulting case interview examples

• Case interview example video walkthrough   (L.E.K. website)
• Market sizing case example video walkthrough  (L.E.K. website)

11. Roland Berger case interview examples

• Transit oriented development case webinar part 1  (Roland Berger website)
• Transit oriented development case webinar part 2   (Roland Berger website)
• 3D printed hip implants case webinar part 1   (Roland Berger website)
• 3D printed hip implants case webinar part 2   (Roland Berger website)
• Roland Berger case interview guide   (by IGotAnOffer)

12. Capital One case interview examples

• Case interview example video walkthrough  (Capital One website)
• Capital One case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

12. EY Parthenon case interview examples

• Candidate-led case example with feedback (by IGotAnOffer)

14. Consulting clubs case interview examples

• Berkeley case book (2006)
• Columbia case book (2006)
• Darden case book (2012)
• Darden case book (2018)
• Duke case book (2010)
• Duke case book (2014)
• ESADE case book (2011)
• Goizueta case book (2006)
• Illinois case book (2015)
• LBS case book (2006)
• MIT case book (2001)
• Notre Dame case book (2017)
• Ross case book (2010)
• Wharton case book (2010)

Practice with experts

Using case interview examples is a key part of your interview preparation, but it isn’t enough.

At some point you’ll want to practise with friends or family who can give some useful feedback. However, if you really want the best possible preparation for your case interview, you'll also want to work with ex-consultants who have experience running interviews at McKinsey, Bain, BCG, etc.

If you know anyone who fits that description, fantastic! But for most of us, it's tough to find the right connections to make this happen. And it might also be difficult to practice multiple hours with that person unless you know them really well.

Here's the good news. We've already made the connections for you. We’ve created a coaching service where you can do mock case interviews 1-on-1 with ex-interviewers from MBB firms . Start scheduling sessions today!

Related articles:

28 Case Interview Examples for Consulting Interview Prep (2024)

• Last Updated January, 2024

Rebecca Smith-Allen

Former McKinsey Engagement Manager

How to Use Case Interview Examples

Video Case Interview Example: Questions & Answers

Tips for Acing Your Case

Free Case Interview Examples (Consulting Firms)

Free Case Interview Examples (Consulting Clubs)

Practice is the key to passing your consulting interviews. To practice, you’ll need some examples of case interview questions and answers to work with.

We’ve got links to loads of them below.

In addition, we have:

• Tips on how to use case interview examples to prepare for your consulting interviews,
• A video case interview example with My Consulting Offer founder Davis Nguyen, and
• Insight into the difference between average and exceptional answers to case interview questions.

Get ready to dive deep into structuring your analysis of business problems, identifying the key issues, and recommending solutions!

Keep reading to find out how to use case interview examples to ace your case.

How to Use Case Interview Examples to Ace Your Case

1. start your case interview preparation early..

You’ll need to practice dozens of case interview examples to get good enough to receive an offer from one of the top consulting firms. This is not something you can cram the night before an interview.

Start as soon as possible.

2. Don’t Read Straight through Sample Case Interview Examples or Passively Watch Videos.

Some people think that the best way to improve their chances of passing a case interview is by reading as many cases interview examples as they can.

This is like reading about how to play tennis but never picking up a racket. To get better at tennis, for example, you need to actually pick up a ball and be active. The same applies to your interview preparation.

Stop and think at each step in the case interview question. Come up with your own answer and say it out loud. Practice driving each part of the case interview example yourself.

• How would you structure your analysis of the problem?
• What questions would you ask the interviewer?
• How would you set up the case math problem?
• What recommendation would you make to the client?

After you’ve developed your answer, compare it to the suggested answer for the case.

What did you get right?

How did your answer and the case interview example answer differ?

Are there things you miss consistently across multiple case interview examples?

The answers to these  case interview examples can look simple when you just read through them, but it’s not easy to come up with all the key aspects of the solution on your own.

Nail the case & fit interview with strategies from former MBB Interviewers that have helped 89.6% of our clients pass the case interview.

3. Find Partners to Practice Case Interviews with.

Teamwork is an important part of consulting work, so get ready for it now. Find a case interview practice partner, preferably someone else who’s applying to jobs in the management consulting industry because they’ll know more about what recruiters are looking for.

Practicing cases with a partner provides the opportunity to get feedback from someone else on what you’re doing well and what you need to improve. Additionally, you’ll learn a lot by watching how your partner solves sample case studies.

Look for aspects of their approach that are effective as well as what they could do better. Working with a partner will make your consulting interview practice feel more real.

Similar to how you need a tennis partner to feel what is like to play tennis, you need a case partner to experience what a case interview is like.

4. Master the 4 Parts of the Case Interview.

In our article on Case Interview Prep , we discussed the 4 parts of the case interview: the opening, structure, analysis, and conclusion. As you practice with consulting case interview examples, practice each of these 4 parts to ensure you’re strong at them all.

5. Avoid Case Burnout.

A case zombie is someone who’s grown tired of casing from doing too much of it. Their answers feel rehearsed, not conversational. 

They may seem bored, not engaged in solving the problem. They’ll be less creative in their solutions. They certainly won’t pass the airport test!

Avoid becoming a case zombie by practicing smarter, not harder.

Video: Case Interview Examples – Questions & Answers

In the following case interview example, Davis Nguyen, founder of My Consulting Offer solves McKinsey’s SuperSoda case.  The video is broken into 4 parts of the case interview.

Remember, don’t just watch the video. Stop the video and provide your own answer before listening to Davis’s  answer to the case question.

Step 1: Case Interview Example Opening – Ensure you understand the client and the problem you’ll be solving in the case.

Step 2: case interview example structure – break the problem down into smaller parts. make sure you cover all key case issues., step 3: case interview example analysis – ask questions, gathering information from graphs and charts provided by the interviewer, do case math, and provide insight into the client’s business problem based on what you learn., step 4: case interview example recommendation – develop a rational recommendation for the client based on all you’ve learned throughout the case interview., tips for acing your consulting case interviews – the difference between average & exceptional, case interview opening.

The opening is a great point to ask “dumb” questions because, at this point, you’re not expected to know much about the client and their business. 

Here your goal is to understand the client, their business, and what a successful project will look like.

Don’t shy away from asking for clarification on things that will help you better understand the business problem and solve it. For example, if you don’t know how life insurance works and the case is about life insurance, then ask.

After ensuring you understand the client and their problem, the next thing to ask about is key metrics of success. 

For example, the client may want to find new avenues for growth. Are they looking for a 5% increase in revenue or to double their business?

Finding out what success looks like in the client’s eyes will ensure you work to deliver a solution that meets their expectations, not one that’s underwhelming.

After you find out what success looks like, ask further probing questions to better understand the client, their business, and any constraints on solving the case.

Examples of Relevant Questions to ask Your Interviewer 

Examples of relevant questions about the client might include the geography they operate in or the sector of their industry they are strongest in. 

Examples of relevant questions about their business might include what products or services are most profitable or most important to their customers. 

Examples of relevant questions about the problem might include whether there are any costs that can’t be cut or what the maximum amount the client is able to invest in developing a new product. 

Asking these types of questions up front will give you a better context for solving the client’s problem and make it more likely that you will solve the case interview.

Case Interview Structure

You’ll need a framework to make sure your analysis covers all key aspects of the consulting case. 

You can use one of the many standard Case Interview Frameworks we’ve outlined , but top interviewees develop their own framework for analyzing the case interview question. 

Their frameworks may include pieces of one or more of the standard frameworks but are tailored to the particular business problem they’re discussing. 

Good frameworks are hypothesis-driven, that is to say they can be tested similar to the science experiment, so that the answer is either a “yes” or “no.” For example, examining your bank account to see, “if I have $400 for a ticket” is an example.

Second, good frameworks cover all topics relevant to the answer. For example, if the client is opening up a new hotel in a foreign country, checking out the existing competition should be part of the framework.

As you study more about interactive case interviews and practice them you’ll develop a sense for what factors are relevant or not relevant to the case at hand.

Finally, a good structure will be  MECE  or mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive.

This means the framework will break down the market or population being analyzed into segments that include every part of the whole (collectively exhaustive), and each segment of the market or member of the population will show up in one and only one category without overlap (mutually exclusive). 

For example, if you divide the target market for a retail product into segments by age, these segments would be MECE:

•  10-19,
• 40-49, etc.

The categories 15-25, 20-30, 27-35 would not be MECE because people could be counted twice. 

Case Interview Analysis

In the analysis phase of your case interview example, you’ll ask questions to get the information you need to solve the client’s business problem. Your questions will likely lead you to one of the 4 types of analysis that are common in consulting interviews: market sizing, brainstorming, quantitative reasoning (case math), or reading exhibits. 

No matter which of these types of analysis comes up, there’s a 4-step method that ensures you can crack the case. 

This 4-step method is:

• Ask for data,
•  Interpret the data,
•  Provide insight, and 
• Outline next steps. 

The data you ask for will depend on the case interview question you’re solving. For example, if the question is about profitability, you’ll need to know about the client’s finances: dig into revenues and costs. 

For example, if you find that the client’s revenues are flat while their costs have been rising, you’ll know that the problem is in the cost structure and that you’ll need to examine costs more closely.

Next, provide insight. As you examine costs further, you’ll find out why they’ve grown faster than revenues. 

This insight will naturally lead to the next steps. What does the client need to do to get costs under control and fix their profitability problem? 

You may need to go through this 4-step method a couple of times, focusing on different aspects of the client’s business problem. 

Once you’ve examined and developed insight into all key aspects of the problem, your next step will be to conclude the interview with a recommendation for the client.

Case Interview Conclusion

At this point, you’ve hopefully cracked the case and are ready to present your recommendations to the client (your interviewer). 

The best way to do this is to use the 5R approach:

• Recap – restate the business problem you’ve analyzed. In consulting this is done because a CEO might have hired 5 McKinsey teams and can’t remember which one you are on. 
• Recommendations – Provide the solution your analysis led to. We lead with the recommendation because it is the most important piece of information. Stating it first and clearly puts everyone on the same page.
• Reasons – Summarize the key facts and insights that lead you to your recommendations. 
• Risks – Outline any risks the client should be aware of as they implement your recommendations. No recommendation has a 100% probability of success. Clients need to be aware of business risks in the same way patients need to understand the side effects of drugs.
• Retaining the client – Provide next steps for how you can help the client ensure success. As consultants, we are paid for helping our clients. If there is a natural extension of the work as the client implements the team’s recommendations, we should tell them how we can provide further assistance (and ultimately make money for your firm). 

While most candidates will address their recommendations and possibly the reasons for their recommendations, few will hit all these points. 

In particular, outlining risks and further ways you can help the client will differentiate you from other candidates and help you to advance  to the second round of interviews or get the offer.

Free Online Case Interview Examples from 7 Top Consulting Firms

Now that you’re familiar with how you should use case interview examples and what differentiates an average answer from an exceptional one, you need sample questions to practice with.

Below, we provide links to dozens to help you hone your business problem-solving skills.

1. McKinsey Case Interview Examples

Disconsa – Help a not-for-profit develop better financial-service offerings for remote Mexican communities.

Electro-Light – Help a beverage manufacturer prepare for a new product launch.

GlobalPharm – Help a pharmaceutical industry client manage with its merger and acquisitions strategy.

Transforming a National Education System – Help a country’s education ministry develop a new strategy for educating the country’s children. 

2. BCG Case Interview Examples

Climate Challenge – Help a global consumer goods company reduce its environmental impact.

Driving Revenue Growth at a Healthcare Company – Help a medical devices and services company to increase revenues following an acquisition. (The same one that is highlighted above in our example)

3. Bain Case Interview Examples

Coffee Shop Co. – Help a friend decide whether they should open a coffee shop.

F ashionCo. – Help a fashion company understand why its revenues have been going down.

Private Equitas – Help a private equity company maximize its investment in a portfolio company.

4. Deloitte Case Interview Examples

Footloose  – Help a footwear company improve their market share in the boots category.

Recreation Unlimited – Help a global apparel and sportswear company improve its digital customer experience and its revenue.

Agency V – Help a large federal agency recover from a front-page scandal that sparked investigations and congressional hearings.

Federal Benefits Provider – Help a federal agency that provides benefits to millions of U.S. citizens prepare for a major expansion of its mandate.

5. AT Kearney Case Interview Examples

Promotion Planning – Help a national grocery and drug store chain improve its product promotion strategy.

6. PWC Case Interview Examples

Modernizing a Hotel’s Loyalty Platform – Help simplify and modernize the platform, providing customers with immediate access to their data.

Green Energy – Help an energy company transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Nonprofit Impact – Help a community organization respond to client needs during the pandemic.

Love at First Byte – Help a data management client comply with new regulations.

Prioritizing Ethics and Integrity – Help a software company leverage data analytics to comply with regulations.

7. Accenture Case Interview Examples

Sustainability – Help drive sustainability for an auto manufacturer.

IT integration strategy – Driving merger integration by linking technology systems.

We have more on how to Accenture Case Interviews in our article.

8. Capital One Case Interview Examples

Ice Cream Corporation – Help the president of Ice Cream Corporation grow profits.

9. Oliver Wyman Case Interview Examples

Wumbleworld – Help a China-based theme park operator identify the reasons for declining profits and develop options for reversing the trend.

Aqualine – Help a manufacturer of small power boats determine why its sales growth has slowed and identify opportunities to boost sales.

10. LEK Case Interview Examples

Theater chain – Help a large theater chain identify revenue growth opportunities.

Free Online Case Interview Examples from Consulting Clubs

Need more case interview examples? Here are links to MBA case books compiled by INSEAD, Harvard, Wharton, Darden, and several other business schools.

Recent Consulting Case Interview Examples

• Darden School Of Business 2021-2022 Casebook
• NYU Stern MCA 2020-2021 Casebook
• The Duke MBA Consulting Club Casebook 2021-2022
• Notre Dame Casebook 2022
• Kellogg Consulting Club 2020 Casebook
• FMS Consulting Casebook 2021-22
• INSEAD Consulting Club Casebook 2021
• IIMC Consulting Casebook 2021-22
• UCLA Case Book 2019 – 2020
• Columbia Business School 2021 Casebook
• IIM Lucknow Casebook 2022
• Cornell MBA Johnson Consulting Club Casebook 2020-2021
• Darden School Of Business 2020-2021 Casebook

Older Consulting Case Interview Examples

• 2019 Berkeley Haas School of Business Consulting Club Interview Preparation Guide and Case Interview Examples
• The Duke MBA Consulting Club Casebook 2018-2019
• 2017-2018 McCombs University of Texas at Austin Consulting Case Interview Examples
• Columbia Business School Management Consulting Association Case Interview Examples 2017
• Duke Fuqua School of Business MBA Consulting Case Interview Examples 2016-2017
• NYU Stern MBA MCA Case Interview Examples: 2017
• UCLA Anderson School of Management Consulting Association Case Interview Examples 2015-2015
• Darden Consulting Club Case Interview Examples: 2014-2015
• Yale Life Sciences Consulting Case Interview Examples 2014
• ESADE MBA Consulting Club Case Interview Examples 2014
• Darden Consulting Case Interview Examples: 2012-2013 Edition
• Kellogg Consulting Club Case Interview Examples and Interview Guide: 2012 Edition

Even More Consulting Case Interview Examples

• The Cornell Consulting Club Interview Interview Examples
• Harvard Business School Management Consulting Club Case Interview Examples
• The MIT Sloan School of Management Consulting Club Case Interview Examples and Interview Guide – October 2001
• The Berkeley MBA Haas Consulting Club 2006 Case Interview Examples
• London Business School – The 2006 Consulting Club Case Interview Examples 
• Columbia Business School Management Consulting Association Case Interview Examples – 2006
• Torch the Case – The NYU Stern Consulting Case Interview Examples – 2007 edition 
• Michigan – the Ross School of Business Consulting Club 2010 Case Interview Examples
• Wharton Case Interview Examples by the Wharton Consulting Club – December 2010
• The Duke MBA Consulting Club Case Interview Examples – 2010-2011
• Case Interview Examples by the ESADE MBA Consulting Club 2011  
• INSEAD Consulting Club Handbook and Case Interview Examples – 2011

Still have questions?

If you still have questions on case interview examples, leave them in the comments below. We’ll ask our My Consulting Offer coaches and get back to you with answers.

We have tons of other articles to help you get an offer from one of the top consulting firms. Check out our pages on:

• Case Interview Math
• Case Interview Types
• Case Interview Formulas
• Market Sizing Questions

Help with Case Study Interview Preparation

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3 Top Strategies to Master the Case Interview in Under a Week

We are sharing our powerful strategies to pass the case interview even if you have no business background, zero casing experience, or only have a week to prepare.

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What Is A Case Interview?

Case interview process, mental math for case interviews, case interview examples, case interview prep: be ready for your interview, case interview 102, what are firms looking for in interviews, mckinsey case interview, bcg, bain, vs other consulting firms, how to crack the case like a real consultant, case interview preparation tips: execution, case interview: complete prep guide.

The case interview: it’s the ultimate test of strategy and executive communication for the management consulting industry. When I first checked out how to become a consultant, I quickly discovered that the consulting case interview is a beast unlike any other. 

To approach management consulting case interviews, you need 3 basic things:

• You should be structured and use frameworks, but not overly structured.
• You need to practice for the interviews in advance.
• You must be comfortable with mental math.

True, true, and true again. However, it’s essential to go beyond basics when preparing for case interviews. During consulting recruiting, your case interview performance drives around 80% of the first round pass/fail score and around 50% of the second round scoring, when a hiring decision is on the line. 

Table of Contents:

In this article, we’ll cover the following critical points to put you in the best position possible to excel in management consulting interviews:

(Click to jump to section.)

Case Interview 101

• What Is A Case Interview? - With a full understanding of the case interview process, you’ll avoid early prep mistakes.
• Case Interview Process - Know what you’re getting yourself into and what to expect.
• Case Interview Frameworks - The 3 major case interview frameworks, 3 bonus frameworks, and a word of caution on robotic case interview structures.
• Mental Math for Case Interviews - You were probably better at mental math in 7th grade than you are now. Brush up on your skills to ensure you can ace the interview.
• Case Interview Examples - See what real consulting applicants experienced during the case interview process.
• Case Interview Prep - Ordered steps to prepare for your management consulting interview.
• What are Firms Looking for in Interviews? - First step: practice for case interviews to proficiently break down problems. Second step: Identify your X-Factor.
• Case Interview Differences at the “Big 3” or “MBB” (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) - How do you stand out to be the best of the best?
• How to Crack the Case Like a Real Consultant - Bring it all together.
• Case Interview Tips: Execution - The day of the interview has arrived. You’re prepared - but what else can you do to optimize performance?
• Top Case Interview Videos - We have a bomb YouTube channel about case interviews. Here are our top picks.
• Virtual Case Interviews and More - What do you do when you run across a virtual, chatbot, presentation, or group case interview? We have answers.

Research a career in management consulting, and the case interview is THE issue. But if this is your first exposure to a case interview, you are probably wondering: what is it really like?

In short, the case interview is a critical piece of the hiring process. Applicants have to solve real-world problems live with an interviewer. The cases mimic the kinds of scenarios consultants work with daily - in fact, most are pulled directly from real-life client experiences. 

The case typically consists of a problem or situation faced by an organization (company, NGO, or government agency). Applicants are given the problem verbally, and in a set amount of time must analyze the case, determine what data is needed, ask for the data, compute potential scenarios, and deliver a presentation on that solution.

While there is also a behavioral portion to the consultant hiring process, the case interview is the most significant filter. It’s make or break, and at firms like McKinsey it’s mostly break - under 10% of interviewees get an offer. 

We’ve compiled a Complete Prep Guide to make sure you make it - no breaking here! Our in-depth preview of what to expect from the interview will help you know how to demonstrate you’re ready to be hired as a consultant.

Now you know what the case interview is, but that still doesn’t tell you what to expect in a case study interview . There are small variations between firms, but generally the case interview portion of the hiring process is quite consistent across the industry.

A typical new hire goes through 4-6 interviews in total, which are usually divided into two rounds occurring on separate days. (Superdays, with Round 1 in the morning and Round 2 in the afternoon of the same day, are possible but less common in consulting than in banking.) The interviews are each 30-60 minutes long. 

The first 5-15 minutes of each consulting interview are usually spent on a “ Fit Interview .” In the fit interview, the firm’s screener/s—usually consultants themselves—ask you a variety of questions to better understand your sense of motivation, leadership, teamwork, and your general fit for the company.

After the fit interview, you’ll go straight into the case interview, which usually lasts 20-40 minutes. We’ll go into the 8 parts of a case interview in just a bit, but here is a kickstart:

• Capture the problem (take notes and ensure you understand it)
• Plan your attack and share your plan
• Ask for data and compute answers based on what you get
• Provide a recommendation

Sound easy? Read on.

There are important differences between the first and the second round of case interviews. The first round tests you on a variety of general skills, including time management. In most interviews, you have only 20 minutes - and the firms usually reject 75% of applicants in this round because they can’t digest and solve a problem in a short time. 

In the second round, the material requires deeper analysis and applicants work with more senior interviewers. Further, interviewers in the second round sometimes play the role of “bad cop” or “devil’s advocate” along the way, asking you to rethink your methods and offering potentially misleading information to make your task more difficult and test conviction. If you want a more in depth understanding of this, check out our article: “ Structure of Three Case Interview Rounds “.

While the case interview is consistently challenging, firms do add nuance and individuality to the overall consulting interview process. Here are some exceptions: 

• Most fit interviews are part of the overall interviews, but some fit interviews can be totally separate from case interviews and facilitated by different interviewers. 
• Most case interviews are completed 1:1 with an interviewer, but some case interviews situate applicants in teams instead of working independently.
• Most case interviews are live and presented verbally, but for some you get a packet either overnight or for 1-3 hours prior to the interview and result in a presentation. 

The good news? Prepping for a traditional out-loud case interview will ensure you are ready for all exceptions to the rules.

Upcoming Case Interview and Consulting Events

• There are no upcoming events.

Case Interview Frameworks

Case interview frameworks give you a helpful starting point to solving the case interview. These frameworks offer a systematic way to approach different kinds of business problems. 

Case frameworks, however, are wildly misunderstood. Your goal is not to memorize a million frameworks and then apply the “right” framework to a particular problem.

The goal is to memorize a handful of core frameworks to give yourself a mental repository of categories that you can pick and choose from to create your own custom framework for the problem you’re facing.

Some frameworks we'll take a look at in this next section:

• The “market entry framework” to help you decide if a client should enter a new market
• The Victor Cheng case interview framework - Cheng took the well-known 3 C’s framework (which stands for Company, Customers, and Competition) and added Products as a fourth category of consideration.

For an even deeper dive into frameworks, read our Ultimate Guide to Frameworks .

Market Entry Framework

Consultants often help clients decide whether to enter new markets. Therefore, you will see a scenario in your case interview where a market entry question is being proposed.

The market entry framework is the general framework for dealing with this kind of scenario. Relevant factors often include the situation of the market being entered, the state of the competition, and the process & strategy of first entering the market.

Profitability Framework

Maximizing profits is the essential purpose of any company or enterprise, and is an important consideration for non-profit and government organizations as well. 100% of consulting projects are bottom-line related, and thus many case interview questions involve considering ways to improve profitability. 

The profitability framework is a basic approach for analyzing profit problems. There are always a variety of drivers to examine, but the first step is to separate cost and revenue. A deeper look into the profitability framework will familiarize you with the nuances of applying the framework.

Here’s an example of a generic profitability framework in action:

You can also watch a profitability case interview here .

M&A Case Framework (Mergers & Acquisitions)

How do you advise a company when they are considering merging with, acquiring, or being acquired by another company? Many aspiring consultants overlook the possibility of being assigned a mergers & acquisitions case and then are surprised to be confronted with one during their interview. Avoid that mistake by getting comfortable executing an M&A case framework .

In this framework, the question is simple: should one company invest in or buy another?

The primary directive in the M&A case framework is to drill down on your understanding of the acquiring company’s position. The acquiring company is motivated by either short-term or long-term considerations - a financial buyer buys to increase short-term value and sell, while a strategic buyer acquires to hold the target for the long-term.

Your response in an M&A situation will be binary: either a merger/acquisition is advisable or it isn’t.

Other Frameworks:

Pricing framework.

Deciding how to price products & services may seem like a relatively banal activity in comparison with mergers & acquisitions. But in reality, pricing decisions are some of the most influential decisions any company makes, exerting a great influence on profitability. It’s no surprise that consulting applicants often rely on the pricing framework model in their interviews.

3 Cs Framework

The 3 Cs framework gives a bird’s-eye view of a company’s overall situation. The 3 Cs themselves refer to the categories of Company, Customers, and Competition. Separating information and inquiries into these three categories helps give a comprehensive sense of a company’s operation in a given moment. 

Porter’s 5 Forces Framework

Sometimes a particular case or client scenario requires you to develop an understanding of a whole industry or sector, as well as how a particular company fits into that overall environment. This is what the Porter’s 5 Forces Framework is designed to help with. The 5 Forces to consider are: the threat of new entrants, competitive dynamics, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitutes.

Case Frameworks Are Not a “Silver Bullet”

Remember - frameworks exist to help you figure out an approach to difficult problems. They are not a pre-written script to force-fit in response to a particular question you’re being asked. The framework serves the problem, not the other way around.

Think of a case interview more like a chess game, in which each framework represents one potential maneuver in a longer sequence of moves.

Also, remember that the case interview is not just a problem to be solved but an audition. You want to demonstrate to your interviewers that you have the ability to respond to a question fluidly, independently responding to new inputs and maintaining perspective as you think on your feet. It is not helpful to demonstrate a rote memorization of the frameworks .

Solid fluency in mental math is essential to good case interview performance - and to the work of consulting in general. No calculators are allowed in case interviews, so if you’re rusty (and you probably are), it’s time to dust off the cobwebs. One thing we highly recommend is going off your calculator six months in advance of your case interview.

Honing your mental math skills is an essential part of case interview prep. Start with our free drills here . 

If you really want to sharpen your abilities, we’ve designed an entire course on mental math for consulting . Doing things like calculating tips, analyzing your budget, etc., can help you get comfortable working with numbers in the way you’ll have to during the interview process.

• 2 Rounds of Edits each on 1 Resume and 1 Cover Letter
• Digital pass: 24 templates, 5 e-books

4 Steps for Case Math

When you’re working on a complex case, you can easily lose yourself in calculations. Thankfully, here’s a sneak peak of our simple four-step approach you can use to keep your math organized and on point. Get a more in-depth breakdown of case math.

Recap the Problem

These problems are delivered verbally. Some people are great at math but bad at listening, so the first step is to review the data and what you’re solving for. An out-loud recap gives you time to think and ensures you start with accurate information. The recap also gives the interviewer the confidence you will formulate a clear and coherent approach. And if you’ve misunderstood something about the problem, recapping it gives the interviewer the chance to intervene.

Structure Your Approach

After the recap, organize a systematic approach - out loud. Devise a step-by step algebraic approach to get an answer. Remember, you’re not just structuring the approach for your own sake—you’re also demonstrating to the interviewer that there is a logical methodology behind your work.

Run the Numbers

You have the right information and a process to solve for the answer. Now, perform the mathematical operations you laid out. Use your mental math and double-check to ensure your answer makes sense.

Develop and Deliver Insights

The first three steps produce an answer. This fourth and final step - sharing about what the answer means and what the organization should do next - separates top performers from amateurs, and is 100% required in second round interviews.

We have prepared over 25,000 applicants for case interviews. So far, no one has come back and said “that was so much easier than I expected.”

That’s the bad news. 

But here’s some good news - the case interviews you’ll encounter at different firms have a lot in common, and they will demand largely similar things from you as an applicant. For that reason, the first 80% of your case interview prep should be general (i.e., not firm-specific).

Our curriculum will prepare you for any case interview, from MBB firms to boutique firms. Still, there are some things that make every firm unique. In order to help you get a sense of what you’ll encounter at some of the consulting firms to which you’ll be applying, here are several case interview examples.

McKinsey Case Study Interview Examples

You can find many McKinsey case study interview examples on the McKinsey website , and in our Case Library, which contains over 500 cases (with solutions and guidance so you can learn as you go). Get instant access here . 

BCG Case Interview Examples

Just like McKinsey, BCG also includes multiple BCG case interview examples on its website. Again, there are dozens of BCG case interview examples (including solutions) in our Case Library .

Bain Case Interview Examples

As with its competitors, Bain includes Bain case interview examples on its website . While practicing by yourself is fine if you’re a beginner, take the next step by working 1:1 with one of our MBB coaches. We’ll coach you through cases, assess your strengths and weaknesses, and build a plan for you to get interview-ready.

Boutique Firms Case Interview

The basic structure of a case interview is not very different at a boutique firm. Some boutiques specialize in certain industries or sectors, which will then be represented in the types of cases they give out.

Here’s an example called “ Promotional Planning ” from Kearney.

Compared to material from the MBB firms, boutique firms’ case interview examples are a little bit harder to come by, that is, if you look outside of our Case Library .

The case interview is the hurdle in an entire management consulting career. The single biggest regret we hear? Under-preparing.

Here are key tips to avoid common interview prep pitfalls:

Case Interview Prep Timeline

In a perfect world, your case interview prep timeline should start 6 months before your interview - time for 1-2 out loud interviews a week and plenty of math and structure drills in between. Look ahead to the time you’ll start the interview process and build your prep schedule backward from there.

Of course, many people find themselves with less than six months before their desired interview time. Heck, I had 2 weeks. That doesn’t disqualify you - it just means you must be strategic to prepare on an accelerated timeline. 

In our Black Belt program, one of our MBB coaches will build a personalized prep plan for you that is 1 week or 1 year long, and based on any background.

If you are in school, there are certain optimal times to apply. 

U.S. Undergrads:

Peak recruiting season for juniors and seniors begins in July. Start preparing for the case interview (and get your resume ready!) by March.

International Undergrads:

Application drop in October. Begin case interview prep by May.

Advanced Degree Candidates (ADCs):

We recommend applying for the competitive Bridge Programs in March, and full-time recruiting begins in July. For the best shot, begin preparing for the case interview in November or December of the prior year. 

First year MBAs will interview in January for internship roles. However, diversity recruiting begins at conferences as early as September so you should begin interview prep in May, after matriculation but before even coming to campus.

Second years re-recruiting for full-time roles should begin to refine their casing skills as soon as February (after internship interviews). For second years who decide after a summer internship that consulting is the right career path for you, start prep as soon as you figure out you want to pursue consulting. Your best option? Join our accelerated Black Belt program .

Experienced Hires:

If you’re not applying straight from an educational program, the firms offer rolling application deadlines. However, peak hiring season takes place from March-May and success is almost entirely dependent on networking referrals. 

See detailed, current application deadlines here .

Audio Review

The case interview is an in-person out-loud process, and your communication and people skills are just as important as your technical know-how. This is a verbal as well as a mental test - if you don’t simulate the interview environment in your prep process by practicing out-loud, you won’t succeed.

We differ from the norm here, but we help make sure you’re more successful so we’re okay with that.

Don’t read books. If you must read, do it after you’ve listened to or watched case interviews, and tried at least 10 out loud on your own with a partner.

Start to get a sense of what the case interview looks and sounds like by watching our walkthroughs on YouTube . 

Once you’ve gotten a sense of what a case sounds like, work with an expert coach to put it all together for yourself. Our coaches conduct mock case interviews and offer actionable feedback - this is the most effective way to get ready for the case interview.

Practice Out Loud

Left to their own devices, many aspiring consultants study as they would for any other test - by silently doing cases on their own. This presents a huge problem when you arrive on the day of the interview and discover that you have to talk, write, and think at the same time.

Even if you think you’re considering how to communicate the work you’re doing as you do practice cases, you’ll find that you sound much smarter in your head than you will out loud . 

The reason the case interview is a verbal process is so that the interviewer can follow your thought process in real time. Practice out loud to build your confidence and identify weak spots that otherwise won’t surface until it’s too late!

Structuring Process

Structure is everything. In fact, the most common feedback is “be more structured” and that starts the minute the case begins.

As you proceed through practice case studies, take 2 minutes to structure your approach and 2 minutes to read it out. Use a timer. End with your hypothesis.

Want info on structuring? Check out our Structure Video Walkthrough.

Want help with structuring? Dive in to structure drills and compare your answer to an MBB sample.

Do Your Homework

The average successful applicant does 30 to 50 practice cases - and yes, some people pass with 10 cases, and others need 100. How do you know what you need?

First - if you want to optimize your case prep, review every case you do right after you finish it and keep a log of your learnings. Repeat mistakes without fixing them is a recipe for disaster.

Practice with a Case Partner

Partner with other aspiring consultants who share your ambition to help keep you accountable. Get firsthand feedback on your performance is helpful - but in addition, providing feedback to other people helps improve self-awareness.

Use the practice for what it is - an opportunity to get over fear and build confidence. Be careful, though. If you decide NOT to hire an expert coach, don’t put too much weight on the feedback you get from amateur case partners. 

Get Expert Help

We’ve said it already but it bears repeating: working with an expert coach will increase your odds of acing the case interview. Our coaches first succeeded as candidates, and then served as interviewers. 

An expert coach can also cut the number of necessary practice cases in half. We recommend the Black Belt Interviewer package , which offers 8 hours of 1:1 coaching. A staggering 60% of our Black Belts earn offers from top 10 firms nationwide. Not too shabby, when you compare that to the industry average acceptance rate of 3%.

Interviewers look for a wide range of problem-solving skills - including but not limited to business acumen, communication skills, and analytical ability. Let’s break down the 12 skills that will help you stand out in your case interview.

Consulting success depends on your ability to break down a problem into its component parts, and then prioritize the right component to find the key cause of a problem.

As a consultant, you possess influence without authority . Therefore, you must be able to develop a clear process that will gain buy-in from your peers, manager and potentially client.

Finally, you’ll be working with large quantities of data as a consultant. Being structured (or organized) in the interview conveys that you’ll be able to analyze large amounts of data on the job to arrive at insights that make a difference for your client.

Segmenting Data

One of the frequent challenges consultants face is that business situations involve not just large quantities of data but a variety of data. Maintaining the integrity of the data is critical to solving problems. Consider the Profitability Framework. First it separates profitability into revenues and costs, and the kinds of data proliferate from there into increasing levels of granularity.

In a case interview, you’ll have lots of numbers thrown at you - digital advertising costs and first quarter revenues and profit margins. If you can’t organize data, you’ll never be able to wrap your mind around a problem, let alone develop a solution.

MECE, which stands for Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive, is core to a consulting mindset and is the optimal way to organize information.

Let’s start with the Mutually Exclusive part. This means that there should be no overlap in your data segments or framework categories. Here’s a simple example: let’s say Netflix is looking at subscriber data. If they have one category for North American subscribers and another category for English-language subscribers, a vast number of subscribers will be double-counted, once in each category. Therefore this categorization is not Mutually Exclusive, and thus isn’t “clean” data. 

The second principle is Collectively Exhaustive . This means that all of the relevant data should fall within at least one category, with nothing left out. So in the example used above, if Netflix decided to organize subscriber information by continent, but failed to include Europe, they would not have an accurate picture of their subscriber base because European subscribers won’t be included anywhere.

Prioritization

Case interviews often involve not just one problem but a cluster of interrelated problems. One of the things you’ll have to demonstrate in your thinking is an aptitude for prioritizing the different issues in a coherent and logical fashion. Prioritization means creating a hierarchy of information, problems, opportunities, and responses, and recommending what to do next.

Draw On Practical Experience

It’s important that you don’t simply sound like you’re reciting memorized passages from a textbook as you complete your case interview. Draw from your practical experience when interacting with an interviewer. This is context that you can bring to the table that your peers potentially cannot, and will communicate your confidence and executive presence in the interview process.

Ace the Math

You don’t have access to a calculator in the case interview - your ability to do math and extract insights from the numbers will be tested extensively. There are 3 elements to pay attention to as you prepare for case interview math: your speed, your accuracy, and the business insights you communicate.

Focus on accuracy first, and then devote time to getting faster. Finally, make sure you always end your math by contextualizing the number for your interviewer.

Learn more about the different types of mental math for case interviews .

Lead the Interview

Following the guidance we’ve already laid out will ensure that you can organize problems and information in such a way that you can guide yourself and your client to a solution. Consultants are expected to be self-guided and independent. Show that you have the analytical and leadership skills necessary to develop a process and lead yourself through it to a solution.

Be Teachable

One major red flag for an interviewer? When you bristle at their direction and feedback. Be hypothesis-driven yet teachable. When (not if) your interviewer pushes back on one of your assumptions or statements, respond to the direction they want you to go. “That’s a good question, let me go back and reexamine that” is an example of the kind of tone you want to display inside of a case interview.

Keep the “So What?” in Mind

One way to keep your footing as you proceed through the case interview is to keep the main question top of mind. As you progress through your initial structure, the math, and the brainstorming, make sure you tie each part of the case back to how what you’re doing will answer the initial question you were asked .

Stay Hypothesis Driven

Consultants are hypothesis-driven; they always come to the table with a point of view. You should demonstrate this same skill in your case interviews. Structuring your questions in terms of hypotheses positions you as an advisor. For example, instead of asking a clarifying question like: “When you say North American market, which countries does this include?” you should ask, “I’m assuming that in this case, the North American market refers to the U.S. and Canada - is this accurate?”

Communication

If consulting were simply about mechanistically applying frameworks, the industry would have a lot less use for human beings. Instead, the work is human-capital intensive and success is highly correlated to your communication abilities . Even when solutions seem technically straightforward, they still need to be delivered persuasively to clients. So, demonstrating your ability to communicate clearly and concisely is a huge part of success in the case interview.

Consultants don’t simply look for the right answer - they have to convince clients to believe that what they are proposing is the right answer. An effective consultant must demonstrate a sense of executive presence, gravitas, and confidence in the assertions they are making.

The undisputed top consulting firms in the world are McKinsey , Bain , and Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Collectively, they are known as MBB . Each has a truly global footprint, clientele that include the world’s most powerful companies as well as government partners, and a reputation for consulting excellence. They are perpetually the most alluring employers for aspiring consultants.

All three of the MBB firms make rigorous use of the case interview as part of their hiring process. For the most part, each MBB interview is similar. They have similar structures, lengths, problem types, and degrees of difficulty. They also test for the same traits and skills. The first 80% of your case interview prep, therefore, does not need to be customized to one firm. 

However, there are some differences between the MBB firms that you’ll want to be aware of to help in the final 20% of your prep process.

McKinsey Case Interview

McKinsey — the largest of the MBB firms — prides itself on being unique. The firm is known for putting its own spin on industry-standard practices, and this includes the McKinsey case interview. The McKinsey cases follow an “interviewer-led” methodology, where the interviewer leads the candidate through the case.

The McKinsey case interview begins, as all case interviews do, with a broad problem or scenario. But the McKinsey case interview includes a sequence of smaller questions to be answered along the way to solving the overarching problem. It’s more like a sequential test than a “choose-your-own adventure.”

It’s hard to get lost in a McKinsey case, but McKinsey compensates for it with the hardest math problems of the MBB firms.

McKinsey is also known for drilling down more on other components of the interview process. The personal fit portion is called the Personal Experience Interview at McKinsey and usually takes longer & goes deeper than at Bain or BCG. Likewise, there is a slightly unique format to McKinsey’s Problem Solving Test , which evaluates applicants’ fundamental problem-solving skills and has a pass rate of just 33%.

See a McKinsey Case Interview Example here .

BCG Case Interview

The BCG case interview has a lot of similarities with its MBB cousins and other large consulting firms across the industry, but there are some features that make the BCG case interview unique. 

Notably, BCG interviewers are known for including “curveball questions,” which require the applicant to improvise and suddenly pivot to include new considerations. This tests an applicant’s flexibility and creativity, as well as speed, fluidity, and accuracy when confronting new challenges.

In addition, the BCG case interview is described as “candidate-led,” allowing the candidate to control the pace with which problems and the relevant information/complications are considered. Don’t be fooled, though - the responsibility of leading is a BIG DEAL. We consider BCG cases to be the hardest overall of the MBB case types.

Because case interviews are often adapted from real-world projects, the kinds of case interviews BCG conducts will reflect the company’s unique industry profile. All three of the MBB firms work with all kinds of companies, but BCG has a particular focus on strategic innovation, business growth, and corporate development.

See a BCG Case Interview Example here .

Bain Case Interview

Bain cases are a strong blend between BCG style (you begin with the illusion of full control and leadership), yet can shift quickly to McKinsey style if you lose your way.

The most unique component of the Bain case interview process is the so-called “pressure test.” The interviewer introduces time deficits, strategic criticism, and other headwinds to test the interviewee’s ability to maintain focus and clarity in the face of adversity.

The other factor that differentiates the Bain case interview from other MBB firms is Bain’s client portfolio. Bain works in virtually every industry and region, but they work with private equity funds and other principal investors more than other MBB firms do.

See a Bain Case Interview Example here .

Boutique Consulting Firms

Many aspiring consultants are not meant for one of the MBB firms - the pressure, even in case interviews, is excruciating. There are also disadvantages to working for one of the big three, including extremely long hours and seemingly impossible standards. 

There is often more flexibility and variety when working at boutique consulting firms , where every employee is a larger component of the overall operation and your experience is more personalized.

Because of the smaller feel of a boutique firm, as well as the greater variety of tasks and communications to be done by each employee, boutique consulting firms rely more heavily on the behavioral/fit component of the interview process. 

At the same time, case interviews for boutique consulting firms reflect the firms’ focus either on a key practice area or 1-3 industries. Be aware of the company’s client portfolio before your interview to tailor the final days and weeks of your case preparation.

There are as many possible case interview problems as there are business scenarios. Let’s take a walk through a sample case to give you a taste for one possible case interview type.

Case Problem: You are contracted to help San Zembla—a fictional South American country—improve its educational outcomes. San Zembla has a new democratic government elected on a platform of public education reform, a strategy that promises to give a long-term boost to the economy. Your firm is being asked to diagnose existing problems and limitations facing San Zembla’s education system and to help outline new strategies for improvement.

Case Interview Opening: Example

To start the case, recap the Case Problem out loud. Ask up to 3 clarifying questions about the organization, the data, and the business problem the organization is facing. Each question should start with a mini-hypothesis, for example:

“Referencing other South American countries, I’d assume San Zembla has between 10-25 million people. Is that a fair ballpark for estimation purposes?”

“These problems often take years to assess and implement. I would assume a 2-3 year timeline at a minimum would be sensible. Is that reasonable?”

Case Interview Structure: Example

After recapping the case, develop a plan to tackle this problem. 

The primary problem you might identify with the San Zembla case is that it’s actually quite difficult to assess educational outcomes in a vacuum and without any context or comparison. Therefore you might decide that coming up with a reliable metric for evaluating educational outcomes and comparing them to other contexts is necessary. 

If you’re having trouble identifying the problem/s you should be prioritizing, one of the most powerful and simple tools you can use is the issue tree . This is a simple way of organizing related problems into branches of causality.

In the San Zembla case, you might notice that obvious quantitative measures such as school spending and class sizes don’t seem to be the cause of the problem. Therefore you might consider that the problem has something to do with certain qualitative factors relating to the educational system. To start, you might come up with an issue tree like this:

As you drill down on your categories, you might notice one type of data would fit in multiple categories. Alternatively, you might notice one category in particular filling up with more data than the others. 

If you want to make sure you’ve properly accounted for all the relevant issues, conduct a MECE review to make sure your categories are Mutually Exclusive and Collectively Exhaustive (MECE). The above structure is ME, but needs some more information to be CE.

No sweat, but all of this structuring needs to take place in under 2 minutes - quietly, on paper.

Then, you have 2 minutes to explain it to your interviewer.

Case Interview Math: Example

After you’ve presented a solid, clear plan, you can ask for the information you’ll need to solve the problem.

Here, a chart offers additional information about some of San Zembla’s key education metrics in comparison to other countries in South America.

Describe your observations out loud as you begin to make sense of the chart. Do you notice any meaningful trends? Remember, suggest calculations you’d like to perform before performing them. Remember you can ask the interviewer questions to help clarify the data if need be.

Your goal in comparing San Zembla in neighboring countries is to decide how to improve educational outcomes. It would make sense to assess whether any of the included categories of data correlate with/predict the average standardized test score.

Intuition might tell you that having a lower number of students per teacher, or else a greater amount of money spent per student, might correlate with average standardized test score. However, the data doesn’t support this. Developed economies have similar class sizes but better test scores. Likewise, variations in spending within regions don’t seem to dictate a particular effect in test cores.

Changing budgets and class sizes are two rather obvious strategies to improve educational outcomes, so it’s very helpful to know that those solutions may not make a difference in this context. But we still need to drill down further if we want to find out what kinds of changes would actually have an impact on outcomes (as measured by standardized test scores).

Case Interview Creative: Example

Speaking of drilling down further, most case interviews involve some kind of brainstorming. Let’s imagine for a moment that the interviewer will push you on this, asking “What kind of changes can you think of that might have an impact on standardized test scores?” You’ll need to come up with a list of ideas - out loud, but writing them down at the same time so you can keep your thoughts organized.

Here are some ideas:

• Teach concepts, not “to the test”
• Teach problem-solving strategies to enable cognitive flexibility
• Incorporate 1:1 mentoring / coaching into standard curriculum
• Set a cap on number of students per class

Provide Recommendations

Summarizing your recommendations puts a bow on all the work you’ve done so far. Remember that how you present your recommendations is as important as the solutions you actually recommend. 

The simplest and most powerful way to structure an argument is using the Pyramid Principle. The Pyramid Principle organizes an overall message into a hierarchy of supporting arguments. Employing the pyramid principle to provide a recommendation to the San Zembla case might look something like this:

Start Every Case Strong

Bring an energy and enthusiasm to the beginning of each case. Act like you enjoy the process and enjoy solving business problems. This is the “secret sauce” to the success of many candidates - if you can’t bring that joy to solving a simulated problem, you won’t be any fun to work with on an actual project.

Ask Clarifying Questions

We often aren’t aware of this, but our natural problem-solving skills typically involve isolating areas of uncertainty and drilling down on them. You’ll do yourself a big favor if you force yourself to start articulating what those uncertainties are as you go along. This will help you communicate your thinking during the case interview.

Stay Hypothesis-Driven Throughout the Case

Maintaining a consistently hypothesis-driven approach is one of the best general strategies you can implement. At the end of every case section, make an interim recommendation on what your client should do based on what you’ve examined so far, and what you’d want to examine next.

Be Case-Specific

One of the easiest mistakes for an interviewer to spot is a candidate who is over-relying on pre-scripted frameworks. Frameworks are designed to give you a mental “pick list” of categories that you can use to create your own custom framework that specifically addresses the problem at hand.

Ask About Trends

The interviewers working alongside you will have access to potentially relevant data that is not necessarily given to you at the beginning of a case . But, the interviewer will only give you the information you ask for . As long as you ask in a hypothesis-driven way, it’s okay to ask.

Analyze Case Charts and Graphs

Recap what you see first. Then structure your math approach before you start calculating. Then do the actual calculations. Finally, drive to insights - what do the numbers mean for your client now and into the future?

Think Out Loud 

The case interview is a test of your ability to communicate as you think. This allows the interviewer to see your problem-solving approach and communication skills at the same time.

Finish with a Strong Recommendation

Remember that the consultant’s job, as far as the consulting firm is concerned, is not simply to calculate the “correct” solution to a problem. The consultant’s job is also to sell that solution to the client. You’d be surprised how many people do a reasonably good job on the case, but then stop before wrapping it up with a strong recommendation (including an assessment of next steps and risks). To provide a clear recommendation, follow the Pyramid Principle . In a nutshell, give the answer first, then the “why” or supporting data. 

Many cases don’t have single right answers. So if you fail to arrive at what seems like an open-and-shut conclusion, don’t let uncertainty infect your conclusion. You’ve arrived at one possible solution among many, and whatever that solution is, your job now is to convince the “client” (i.e., your interviewer) that you believe that solution adequately answers the question at hand.

Management consulting has been a hot industry for years, and shows no signs of slowing down (see the salaries if you don’t believe us). The consulting path offers intellectual stimulation as well as lucrative material rewards. 

But in order to enter the industry, you’re going to have to make it through the case interview. We trust this guide has given you a thorough overview of what it will take to prepare for this crucial step in your career. 

Remember, work 1-on-1 with an expert coach from our team. Learn more and schedule today.

Thanks for reading, and good luck with your prep process. We’re here for you!

Jenny Rae and the MC Team

Additional Reading:

• Case Interview Frameworks: Ultimate Guide
• Case Interview Examples: Master List
• Profitability Case Walkthrough- BCG Style
• Consulting Resume: Complete Guide

The Ultimate Guide to the Consulting Case Interview – With Examples

This guide, written by a former McKinsey consultant and Wharton MBA, breaks down the management consulting case interview into comprehensible parts with relevant, realistic examples at every turn.

By  Tracy V.

Posted March 12, 2024

Featuring Manali P.

Beyond the Case: Ace Your MBB Behavioral Interviews

Starting monday, july 15.

6:00 PM UTC · 30 minutes

Table of Contents

While the consulting case study interview may seem daunting at first, most cases follow a typical song-and-dance. Once you get a hang of it, prepping feels much more manageable. The first part of this guide will give a broad overview of the case interview. The second part will break out the typical structure of an interviewee-led case. The last part will dive into each component, with tips and suggestions for preparing. Note that some firms may have their own specific case interview style. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your target firms’ interview processes before the time comes to recruit.

Case interviews involve tackling a business issue or problem faced by a company (the client). These interviews allow consulting firms to gauge candidates’ ability to perform the job. Specifically, firms are testing whether candidates can:

• Think in a structured and creative way
• Analyze and interpret new information
• Communicate persuasively and succinctly

Most firms conduct interviewee-led cases, as outlined in the guide below. In these cases, the candidate is expected to drive the case forward by asking the interviewer for data or information relevant to forming the recommendation. A few firms, most notably McKinsey, are interviewer-led, meaning that the interviewer will be the one guiding the discussion.

Below are a few common types of cases that you can expect to receive. Some cases can be several types all in one (lucky you!):

• Profitability - Determine cause for profit decline and / or ideas for increasing profit; you will rarely get a standalone profitability case – It will usually be rolled up in another case type
• Growth - consider strategies for company growth; could be through sales or market share
• Market Entry / New Business - Assess attractiveness of entering new geography / business / sector and method for entering
• Due Diligence / M&A - Assess attractiveness of purchasing / acquiring a company or business; client can be another company or a financial sponsor
• Competitive Response - Address a competitor’s recent action (e.g., new acquisition, change in pricing strategy)
• Non-Traditional - Similar to the other cases but the client (non-profit, NGO, education-focused entity) has different objectives than a typical corporate company

Case Interview Components

• Prompt: Interviewer reads aloud the case while the interviewee takes notes
• Recap: Interviewee provides a high-level summary of the case and confirms accuracy of information written
• Clarifying Questions: Interviewee asks 2-3 high-level questions
• Structuring (<2 minutes): Interviewee takes a few minutes create a roadmap for approaching the case
• Framework Presentation (2-3 minutes): Interviewee reviews the structure with the interviewer, who may have follow-up questions. Interviewee then moves the case forward by asking for additional information
• Brainstorming: Interviewee is expected to list out several solutions or ideas (e.g., cost drivers for an industry, ways to increase sales)
• Exhibits: Interviewee will be given data in forms such as graphs or charts and expected to provide high-level insights
• Math: Interviewee will be asked to perform a calculation with the new information or using data from the exhibits. Oftentimes, interviewee is not given enough information and must ask for the relevant data
• Synthesis and Recommendation (2-3 minutes) : Interviewee provides the answer first, then supporting facts from the case, and finally risks and next steps

Setup (2-3 minutes)

Prompt : The interviewer may be giving you A LOT of information - don’t write down everything verbatim. Jot down facts and figures, the client name, and the objective(s). If you miss something or don’t remember what a number means, you can ask after your recap.

• Prep: Have a friend read you several different case interview prompts and practice taking down notes. Create your own shorthand and learn how to recognize extraneous pieces of information

Recap : I always reference the client by name and start my recap with the objective(s) first, since this is the most important part of the case. The recap should be summarized, not verbatim, and you should be checking that the figures you wrote down are correct.

• Prep: Practice summarizing your notes out loud instead of repeating the case verbatim. Time yourself to make sure it’s <1 minute.

Clarifying Questions : Very detailed questions should be saved for the case. Clarifying questions are meant to help you with your structure or alleviate any confusion. Keep these at 2-3 questions. I usually ask questions pertaining to:

• Language/terminology - The interviewer won’t expect you to know the nuances of every industry or practice area. It is better you start off the case on the right footing by asking for clarifying definitions
• Goals/objectives - I always ask if there are other goals the company has in mind and, if relevant, specific financial targets or timeframe. Sometimes, the objective given is vague, so I will ask the interviewer to be more specific.
• Business model or geography - Very helpful for cases in niche industries; understanding geography can also prompt you to think about factors like labor cost or global competition
• Scope - To save you time from considering every possibility, you can ask whether the company is leaning towards one option or excluding a set of options completely
• Prep: Have a friend read you case prompts and then practice asking 2-3 clarifying questions on the fly. Try to think of them as you’re taking down notes and giving the recap. Are they helping you with your structuring or are you asking the first thing that pops into your head? Are they broad enough or overly detailed? Are there types of questions you should be asking but keep forgetting?

Framework (4-5 minutes)

Structuring (<2 minutes) : Do not use the word “framework” during the interview. I ask if I could have time to “gather my thoughts” when I am structuring. In your structure, you should have at least three but no more than five “buckets.” These are areas that you want to explore in order to solve the case. In each bucket, there should be at least three sub-bullets. Make sure there is no overlap between the buckets.

• Prep: Time yourself structuring your roadmaps. Be comfortable with recalling the different buckets you should be considering for each type of case and brainstorming sub-bullets for those buckets. It’s okay to go over two minutes when you first start, but as you get comfortable, make sure you are becoming more efficient. For example, as you become more familiar with the buckets, you don’t need to write down every example for the sub-bullets, they will become muscle memory as you recite them out loud. Review the suggested frameworks for the case and take note of whether there are vital topics you keep forgetting or whether there are unnecessary buckets you keep adding. There is no one “right” answer, but your roadmap should enable you to uncover the necessary information to make your recommendation.

Presenting: Introduce the high-level buckets first before diving into each one. You will want to “customize” your framework to the specific case you’re working on. This does not mean creating a custom framework for every single case. You can use the same topics for similar types of cases (but ensure that those topics are relevant - some cases sneakily rule out an entire topic to see if you are paying attention), but you need to make sure that you are using case-specific language and examples when you present. This shows that you are thinking about the specific problem, not just recycling a generic framework. After going through the structure, pause and ask if the interviewer has any questions. Then, give your hypothesis and state which bucket you want to start with by asking for data pertaining to that bucket and why you want it.

• Prep: Present your structures out loud and note whether you are rambling or being case-specific in your language. If you find that your presentation is too long, consider cutting down on the examples or explanations. Be succinct and say enough to get your point across. Don’t just move on to the next case if your presentation falls short. Keep practicing until you feel satisfied and make mental notes for the next case.

Interview “Questions” (10-20 minutes)

For each type of question, you are going to be doing the same things: answering the question, providing insights, conveying how it impacts your recommendation, and driving the case forward. Every time you have “answered” a question, you want to be thinking, “ What else do I need? What’s the logical path forward ?” The only way you can prepare for this is to run through entire cases! Remember, your framework is your friend. Refer back to it often if you don’t know where to go next.

Brainstorming : You will want to structure your ideas into MECE buckets. They can be fairly simple (financials vs. non-financials, external vs. internal, etc.). Similar to your framework, you will give a preview of the buckets first before going into the details of each and you will need to ensure that it is “custom” for your case. If a structure doesn’t naturally come to you, you can create a pseudo-structure by organizing how you will present your brainstorm. For example, you can state how many ideas you have from the onset or say that you will first go through the ideas first and then the associated risks.

This is a highly debated practice, but I always ask for a few seconds so I can think of a structure (they may say no). Don’t take more than 30 seconds because you can add to your buckets as you are presenting.

For non-technical brainstorms, be creative! For example, when interviewers asked about how to increase sales for a consumer-facing retail company, I would bring up TikTok campaigns and celebrity endorsements as a few ideas. Have fun with it!

Occasionally, interviewers will prod you with, “What else?” This does not always mean you didn’t give enough ideas. Sometimes it’s the opposite – they are looking to challenge you or see how you will react. Just roll with it - if you don’t have anything else, say so.

• Prep: Practice brainstorming for different types of prompts. Collect a bank of general ideas and solutions that can be customized for use across industries. Try to think of as many ideas as you can (four to six at the very least) and exercise that creative muscle. To help you with structuring, have a list of “easy” MECE buckets that you can pull out on the fly.

Exhibits : First, give an overview of the exhibit. As an example, for graphs say what the axes represent, tie it back to the case, and give your interpretation of those axes. This gives the interviewer a chance to course-correct if you misinterpreted the exhibit. Give some insight, even if it is low-hanging fruit, and tie it back to the case. There are three levels of insights for both exhibits and math:

• What the numbers say, patterns/trends (X is smaller than anticipated, Y is the largest driver)
• What the client should do (enter the market, cancel plans, plan for launch)
• What we should do next (reconsider something specific, research more data on X, move on to Y)

Oftentimes, exhibits will tie into a calculation. If you are given an exhibit with data that can be used to calculate more insightful information, tell the interviewer that you would like to make those calculations. The interviewer will lead you down that path regardless but it is more impressive if you call it out.

• Prep: Run through different types of exhibits and see how many insights from each level you can pull out. Practice anticipating what type of data you need next in order to move ahead in the case or whether you can/should calculate anything from the data given. Don’t be too insightful though – you only have a limited amount of time to run through the case.

Math : Before you start calculating anything, it is critical for you to confirm what you are solving for and that the information you wrote down is correct. SUPER IMPORTANT – answer the question that is being asked !!  If the interviewer is asking for the incremental profit from a certain strategy, you don’t want to calculate the total profit from the strategy. Active listening is so important!

As you know by now, structure is everything. Again, I always ask for a few seconds to organize my thoughts (the worst thing they can say is no). Set up the problem before you start calculating. This allows you to identify whether there is data missing. Walk the interviewer through your method and ask for missing data. You may need to make your own assumptions or estimates – be sure you can justify them.

If your method is off, the interviewer will usually guide you back to the right path. This saves you from wasting time calculating the incorrect answer. Be sure to pay attention when the interviewer is trying to coach you.

As you are solving the problem, walk the interviewer through each calculation and use math shortcuts as much as possible. Again, if you make a math error, the interviewer can stop you before you go down the entire path. Save time by only calculating what is important for the case and understanding what you can skip.

• Prep: Practice setting up the problem, walking the interviewer through your proposed method, and verbalizing the calculations out loud. On paper, make sure your calculations are being done neatly and not all over the place. Look for different math shortcuts and try them out. Not all of them will fit your style, but you might find new tricks. Track whether you are answering the right questions. Once again, active listening is critical to your candidacy. Once you have correctly solved the problem, make sure you are thinking about the, “So what?” Determine how that number impacts your recommendation and where you should go next.

Synthesis and Recommendation (2-3 minutes)

Again, I always ask for a few seconds to collect your thoughts (<30 secs). If the “CEO is already in the elevator,” they may say no. Have a definitive stance – start with your recommendation and then provide two to three supporting facts using data from the case.

Address risks and next steps (i.e., what is the required analysis/gameplan – this is like real life where the firm is trying to sell additional projects). Your recommendation should be <2 minutes. Frankly, the interviewer has most likely made a decision on your candidacy. Don’t ramble and try to finish strong.

The hardest part of this is pulling out the supporting data in a succinct way. Throughout the case, you should be jotting down notes. I tend to circle what I believe to be relevant supporting data. When you present it, don’t be too specific or granular. You want your recommendation to be punchy.

• Prep: Run through whole cases where you are tracking the relevant supporting data along the way. Time your recommendation and practice verbalizing the information concisely. Don’t forget the risks and next steps. I usually have a list of generic risks (e.g., competitor response, regulation, inaccurate projections) that I can “customize” on the off-chance I’m scrambling to think of some. Your next steps can be collecting additional data to support your recommendation or ways to address those risks.

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Final Thoughts

• Your approach is more important than the solution – The interviewer is trying to understand how you think. Some cases have data that support recommendations in either direction. The key piece is that you are able to back your stance using the facts and data uncovered during the interview.
• Deadends are okay – There will be times when you make multiple requests for data and the interviewer does not have it. That’s perfectly fine! You can’t read the interviewer’s mind and the case could go in so many directions. Just look back at your framework to see where else you can proceed.
• Be coachable – It’s not the end of the world if your method is wrong or if you misinterpreted an exhibit. The interviewer wants to see that you are actively listening and can take feedback and improve. Don’t freak out! Stay calm! Listen to what the interviewer is trying to tell you.

This guide only scratches the surface of case interviews. The best way to prepare for case interviews is to get your reps in with entire cases. That way, you can identify your areas of weakness and be more precise with the drills. I can give you feedback and additional tips and tricks so that you are performing at your best on interview day. Book a free intro call with me on my Leland profile to discuss how we can personalize your case prep plan!

Preparing for consulting recruiting and/or case interviews? Here are some additional resources to help:

• Top 3 Tactics to Ace Your Case Interview
• A Comprehensive Guide to McKinsey & Co., Bain & Co., and Boston Consulting Group
• From No Offers to Multiple Offers - How to Take Your Casing to the Next Level
• How a Disneyland Churro Helped Me Land a Job at Bain (and 5 Pitfalls to Avoid in Market Sizing Problems)
• Five Tips to Break Into Management Consulting

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MBMC Case: Exploring the future of automotive mobility

Roland Berger Case: Sensorio Hightech GmbH

E.ON Inhouse Consulting Case: E-Mobility

Bain Case: BeautyCo – Where Did the Profits Go?

tkMC Case: Portfolio optimization of a holding company

E.on inhouse consulting case: heating systems.

SET Case: Your own Management Consultancy

Tkmc case: portfolio expansion in the material trade business.

RWE Consulting Case: Floating Wind in Japan

Simon-Kucher Case: GST Cruise Company

Mbmc case: exploring future business models on four wheels, roland berger case: onlinestar.

Stern Stewart Case: Sports Growth

Bain case: old winery.

EY-Parthenon Case: Virtual Marketplace

zeb case: Quo vadis, customer?

Oliver Wyman Case: Setting up a Wine Cellar

Oliver wyman case: full electrons ahead, oliver wyman case: on the right track.

Deloitte Case: Footloose

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How To Write A Consulting Case Study: Guide, Template, & Examples

When you deliver a successful project, do you publish a consulting case study about it?

A consulting case study is a short story about a successful project that explains…

• The problem your client was dealing with before hiring you;
• your expertise and process for solving that problem;
• and the results your expertise and process created for the client and their business.

In my experience, our consulting case studies are among the most powerful pieces of content we publish. They’re a big reason why people are comfortable signing up for our Clarity Coaching Program .

Because our case studies prove our program helps our clients get results.

I can say that our coaching program is the best on the market until I’m blue in the face.

But it’s much more powerful for consultants to see the results others have experienced for themselves: through our case studies and testimonials.

If you don’t have something of value on your website like a case study — something that actually shows you can achieve results for your clients — then your website will only serve as “confirmational marketing.”

It will confirm what people hear about you. But it won’t help you generate interest and leads.

So, if you want to shift your website beyond mere confirmational marketing to an asset that helps you generate leads and conversions, consider writing consulting case studies using the method below.

In this article, you’ll learn how to write compelling case studies that help you win more consulting clients.

Ready? Let’s dive in…

Your case study is proof that not only can you talk the talk, but you can also walk the walk.

What Is A Consulting Case Study?

When a potential client is deciding on whether they will hire you or not, a big question in their mind is…

“Can this person or company really do what they say they can for my business?”

There are many forms of thought leadership you can use to prove you can deliver results.

The consulting case study is one of them.

A case study, in the context of consulting, is typically a written document that describes…

• the problem a client was facing,
• the actions you took to solve that problem,
• and the outcomes it created for your client.

You write case studies to demonstrate the results and value you created for a past or current client.

What makes them so effective as marketing material?

• They are relatively easy to put together (especially when you use our template below).
• Your potential clients enjoy reading them.
• And they are a highly effective way to demonstrate your authority and expertise in your field.

Next, I’ll walk you through how to write a consulting case study.

In our program, one of the things we teach consultants is how to better understand their clients’ problems and articulate their ability to solve those problems in a way that will attract new clients.

How To Write A Consulting Case Study

Here are the steps to writing your consulting case study. You can follow along with our consulting case study template .

1. Get Permission From The Client

You shouldn’t write a case study that names your client without their permission.

So, before you start writing it, ask them if they’d be OK with you publishing a case study about the project.

Now, I’m not a lawyer, and nothing in this article or anything I write is legal or financial advice. But here’s what we’ve found, through running consulting businesses for over two decades, often works best:

A question we often receive from consultants is “What if I can’t use the name of my client or the company I worked with?” Generally, this isn’t an issue. If your contract says you can’t use the client’s company name, or the client says “No” to your request, all is not lost.

What tends to work extremely well is still writing the case study, but without using the client’s name. Instead, describe the client.

For example, let’s say your client is the automaker Mazda. If you can’t use their name, consider “Working with a top 20 global automaker…”

This gives prospective buyers a good idea of the caliber and type of company you worked with.

When you ask your client for their permission to create a case study that features them, you’ll generally find that 9 times out of 10 they won’t have a problem with you doing so, but make sure you ask before publishing.

2. Introduce The Client’s Business

Once you’ve gotten permission from the client, you’ll begin writing your case study. Follow along using our template .

The first section is the introduction. Set the stage here by introducing your client, their business, and their industry.

This section gives context to the case study. Ideally, your ideal client is intrigued by being in a similar industry or situation as the client in your case study.

3. Describe The Problem Or Challenge

In this section, you outline the problem your client was facing.

Be as specific as you can be.

Simply saying they had marketing issues or a problem with their PR is not enough.

The more detail you include the clearer the picture will become and the more effective your case study copywriting will be.

If your ideal client reads this and has a similar problem as the client in the case study, you can guarantee that their eyes will be glued to the screen, salivating to learn how you solved it.

4. Summarize Your Action Steps

Now that you’ve described the problem your client was up against, you’ll explain what you did to help solve the problem.

In this section, break down each part of the process you used or the steps you took to solve it.

The reader should get the sense that you have a process or system capable of solving the problem and getting results.

This is where you get to demonstrate your know-how and expertise. Get as technical as you can. Show your reader “Hey, this is how I can get YOU results too.”

5. Share The Results

It’s time to demonstrate results.

Write the results that were achieved and how they impacted the business/organization/person.

In many cases, the outcome isn’t just dollars and cents — it can also be less tangible value.

Are they less stressed? Do they have more free time? Are they finding more meaning and enjoyment in their work?

Mention if you’re continuing to work with this client through a retainer . If you’re not, describe how the results will impact their business in the future.

This is also a great place to include a quote or testimonial from your client.

The “Results” section is key because it shows prospective clients that you’ve solved the problems they are facing and have delivered the actual results that they likely desire.

6. Write A Call To Action

At the end of the case study, you should always include a sentence or two inviting the ideal client to reach out.

They’ve just read about the problems you can solve, how you solve them, and the results you can create.

They are primed and ready to reach out to inquire about how you can do it for them.

But if you don’t have a direct call to action for them to do that, many of them will leave without taking action.

So, write a direct, clear call to action that takes them to a page where it’s easy to book a consultation with you or where you provide your contact information.

7. Share It

Marketing for consultants is all about providing value to your ideal clients, being known for something specific, and positioning yourself as an expert and authority that your ideal clients want to work with. So, whenever you publish a piece of valuable content like a case study, your mission is to get as many eyes on the case study as possible.

The best place to publish your case study is on your website or blog.

You can also submit case studies to industry publications. These are a great way to spread the word about you and your client’s business.

Make sure to also share your case study on all social media platforms where your ideal clients hang out online. For consultants, that means LinkedIn.

Work your “marketing muscle” by actively promoting your case study, and you’ll reap the rewards of this powerful piece of authority-building content.

Writing case studies for your consulting business not only helps you land new clients, but it’s also a great way for you to review past projects.

Doing this helps you to find what worked and what didn’t.

And you’ll continue to learn from your experiences and implement your best practices into your next consulting project.

Consulting Case Study Template

Click here to access our Consulting Case Study Template .

This template is designed using a “fill in the blank” style to make it easy for you to put together your case studies.

Save this template for yourself. Use it to follow along with the examples below.

Consulting Case Study Examples

Here are some example case studies from our Clarity Coaching Program clients.

1. Larissa Stoddart

Larissa Stoddart teaches charities and nonprofits how to raise money.

To do that, she provides her clients with a training and coaching program that walks them through twelve modules of content on raising money for their organization, creating a fundraising plan, putting an information management system into place, finding prospects, and asking those prospects for money.

Through her case studies, Larissa provides a comprehensive overview of how she helps her clients build robust fundraising plans and achieve and win more donations.

2. Dan Burgos

Danila “Dan” Burgos is the president and CEO of Alphanova Consulting, which works with US manufacturers to help them increase their profitability through operational improvements.

The goal of Alphanova is to increase their clients’ quality and on-time delivery by 99 percent and help them increase their net profits by over 25 percent.

Through his case studies, Dan lays out the problem, his solution, and the results in a clear simple way.

He makes it very easy for his prospects to envision working with his firm — and then schedule a consultation to make it happen.

3. Vanessa Bennet

Through her company Next Evolution Performance, Vanessa Bennett and her business partner Alex Davides, use neuroscience to help driven business leaders improve their productivity, energy, profitability, and staff retention, while avoiding burnout.

Through her “Clients” page, she provides a list of the specific industries she works with as well as specific case studies from clients within those industries.

She then displays in-depth testimonials that detail the results that her consulting services create for her clients.

These are powerful stories that help Vanessa’s clients see their desired future state — and how her firm is the right choice to help them get there.

As you see, our clients have taken our template and made them work for their unique style, clients, and services.

I encourage you to do the same.

And if you’d benefit from personal, 1-on-1 coaching and support from like-minded consultants, check out our Clarity Coaching Program .

Get Help & Feedback Writing Consulting Case Studies

If writing and demonstrating your authority were easy, then every consultant would be publishing case studies.

But that’s not the case.

Sometimes it helps to have a consulting coach to walk you through each step — and a community of like-minded consultants with whom you can share your work and get feedback from.

That’s why we’ve built the Clarity Coaching Program.

Inside the program, we teach you how to write case studies (among dozens of other critical subjects for consulting business founders).

And we’ve also created a network of coaches and other consultants who are in the trenches — and who are willing to share their hard-fought knowledge with you.

Inside the Clarity Coaching program , we’ve helped over 850 consultants to build a more strategic, profitable, and scalable, consulting business.

Learn More About Clarity Coaching

We’ll work hands-on with you to develop a strategic plan and then dive deep and work through your ideal client clarity, strategic messaging, consulting offers, use an effective and proven consulting pricing strategy, help you to increase your fees, business model optimization, and help you to set up your marketing engine and lead generation system to consistently attract ideal clients.

15 thoughts on “ How To Write A Consulting Case Study: Guide, Template, & Examples ”

This is a great outline and I found it quite helpful. Thanks.

Shana – glad you found this post helpful!

I have used case studies to get new clients and you're right, They work.

Jay – thanks for sharing. I've worked with many clients to implement case studies and have used them in several businesses and have always found them to be great at supporting proof and establishing authority and credibility.

Dumb question: guess you can't charge if you're doing a case study, huh?

Terri – No such thing as a dumb question where I come from. Always good to ask.

You definitely can charge for case studies. Michael Stelzner has a lot more information on writing white papers (and case studies) as projects.

This post was really aimed at using case studies to win more business and attract clients. But you can definitely offer this service to companies and they'll pay handsomely for it.

That was a great question!

Hello,I am really glad I stumbled upon your consulting site. This outline is very helpful and I love the e-mails I recieve as well Thanks!

Happy to hear that

This is a great site for consultants – great information for the team to share with consultants that reach out to us. Thank you!

Thanks Deborah

It is a good steps if we know how we start and control our working.

All I wanted to know about putting together a case study I have got. Thanks so much.

to put together your consulting case study: to put together your consulting case study:

I have used your outline today to write one case. Thank you for sharing.

Hi – This is a great piece, and covers all the core elements of a case study with impact.

Couple of extra points…

1. it’s really powerful to provide a mix of qualitative and quantitative results where possible e.g. ‘we saved the client $500 per month and feedback tells us morale improved’

2. We are seeing more and more consultancies include images and video in their case studies. This obviously depends on the context, so while it’s not necessarily appropriate within the confines of a bid, it is definitely something to think about for those case studies that you want to publish online or in a marketing brochure.

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Case Interview Examples (2024): A Collection from McKinsey and Others

Last Updated on January 11, 2024

Whenever you prepare for case interviews, you have to practice as realistically as possible and mimic the real case study interview at McKinsey , BCG , Bain , and others. One way to do this and make your preparation more effective is to practice real cases provided by the firms you apply to.

It will help you to understand what the differences are across firms, how they structure and approach their cases, what dimensions are important to them, and what solutions they consider to be strong.

Below is a steadily expanding selection of real case interview examples provided by different management consulting firms.

Before wasting your money on case interview collection books that use generic cases, use original cases first. Additionally, use professional case coaches, who interviewed for the top firms , to mimic the real interview experience and get real, actionable feedback to improve.

Please be aware that cases are just one part of a typical consulting interview. It is equally important to prepare for behavioral and fit interview questions .

McKinsey Case Interview Examples

• Loravia – Transforming a national education system
• SuperSoda – Electro-light product launch
• GlobaPharm – Pharma R&D
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – Diconsa financial services offering
• Beautify – Customer approach
• Shops – DEI strategy
• Talbot Trucks – Electric truck development
• Conservation Forever – Nature conservation

We have written a detailed article on the McKinsey application process, the McKinsey interview timeline, the typical McKinsey case interview, and the McKinsey Personal Experience interview here . You can expect similar cases regardless of your position (e.g. in a McKinsey phone case interview or interviewing for a McKinsey internship as well as a full-time BA, Associate, or Engagement Manager role).

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Case interview Examples

• Consumer Goods – Climate strategy
• Banking – Client satisfaction
• Consumer Goods – IT strategy
• Chateau Boomerang – Written case

Bain and Company case interview examples

• NextGen Tech
• FashionCo .

Ace the case interview with our dedicated preparation packages.

Deloitte Case Interview Examples

• Federal Agency – Engagement strategy
• Federal Benefits Provider – Strategic vision
• Apparel – Declining market share
• Federal Finance Agency – Architecture strategy
• MedX – Smart pill bottle
• Federal Healthy Agency – Finance strategy
• LeadAuto – Market expansion
• Federal Bureau – Talent management

Strategy& Case Interview Examples

• Strategy& tips and examples  (case examples included )

Accenture Case Interview Examples

• Accenture interview tips and examples (case examples included )

Kearney Case Interview Examples

• Promotional planning

Roland Berger Case Interview Examples

• Transit-oriented development Part 1
• Transit-oriented development Part 2
• 3D printed hip implants Part 1
• 3D printed hip implants Part 2

Oliver Wyman Case Interview Examples

• Wumbleworld – theme park
• Aqualine – boats

LEK Case Interview Examples

• Video case interview example (currently unavailable)
• Market sizing video example
• Brainteaser (scroll to the bottom of the page)

Simon Kucher Case Interview Examples

• Smart phone pricing

OC&C Case Interview Examples

• Imported whiskey in an emerging market – business strategy
• Leisure clubs – data interpretation

Capital One Case Interview Examples

• How to crack case interviews with Capital One (includes case examples)

Bridgespan Case Interview Examples

• Robinson Philanthropy – Strategy
• Reach for the Stars – Student success
• Home Nurses for New Families – Expansion strategy
• Venture Philanthropy – Charity

Consulting Clubs Case Interview Books

Contact us at [email protected] for a collection of consulting club case interview books (from Harvard, ESADE, LBS, Columbia, etc.).

How We Help You Ace Your Case Interviews

We have specialized in placing people from all walks of life with different backgrounds into top consulting firms both as generalist hires as well as specialized hires and experts. As former McKinsey consultants and interview experts, we help you by

• tailoring your resume and cover letter to meet consulting firms’ highest standards
• showing you how to pass the different online assessments and tests for McKinsey , BCG , and Bain
• showing you how to ace McKinsey interviews and the PEI with our video academy
• coaching you in our 1-on-1 sessions to become an excellent case solver and impress with your fit answers (90% success rate after 5 sessions)
• preparing your math to be bulletproof for every case interview
• helping you structure creative and complex case interviews
• teaching you how to interpret charts and exhibits like a consultant
• providing you with cheat sheets and overviews for 27 industries .

Reach out to us if you have any questions! We are happy to help and offer a tailored program to help you break into consulting.

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Florian spent 5 years with McKinsey as a senior consultant. He is an experienced consulting interviewer and problem-solving coach, having interviewed 100s of candidates in real and mock interviews. He started StrategyCase.com to make top-tier consulting firms more accessible for top talent, using tailored and up-to-date know-how about their recruiting. He ranks as the most successful consulting case and fit interview coach, generating more than 500 offers with MBB, tier-2 firms, Big 4 consulting divisions, in-house consultancies, and boutique firms through direct coaching of his clients over the last 3.5 years. His books “The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview” and “Consulting Career Secrets” are available via Amazon.

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All About Consulting Case Studies [+Tips & Example]

Table of Contents

What are consulting case studies, what is the purpose of consulting case studies.

• How to Analyze Consulting Case Studies 
• Tips for Crafting a Strong Consulting Case Study 

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Consulting Case Study Interpretation

Why is data so important in consulting case studies .

• How to Present Your Findings from Consulting Case Studies 

Example Deloitte Case Study

Consulting case studies are real-life examples of consulting projects that have been completed by consulting firms. These studies are used to showcase the expertise and problem-solving abilities of the consulting firm, as well as to provide potential clients with an understanding of the type of work that the firm can deliver. Consulting case studies typically detail the challenge that the client was facing, the approach taken by the consulting firm to address the challenge, and the outcomes and results achieved as a result of the project.

Consulting case studies are a valuable tool used by professionals in the consulting industry to showcase their expertise and problem-solving skills. These case studies typically outline a specific business challenge or issue that a client faced, and detail how the consulting firm addressed and resolved the problem. By presenting real-world examples of their work, consulting firms are able to demonstrate their capabilities to potential clients and establish credibility in the industry.

The purpose of consulting case studies is twofold. Firstly, they serve as a means for consulting firms to highlight their success stories and showcase their ability to deliver results for clients. By detailing the specific steps taken to address a particular issue, consulting firms can illustrate their problem-solving process and demonstrate the value they bring to their clients. This can be especially valuable for potential clients who are evaluating different consulting firms and looking for evidence of past success.

Secondly, consulting case studies can also serve as a learning tool for professionals in the consulting industry. By studying successful case studies, consultants can gain insights into different problem-solving approaches, strategies, and best practices. This can help them improve their own consulting skills and better understand how to approach similar challenges in the future. Overall, consulting case studies play a crucial role in showcasing the expertise of consulting firms, attracting new clients, and promoting continuous learning and improvement within the industry.

How to Analyze Consulting Case Studies 

Analyzing Consulting Case Studies involves breaking down the problem statement, identifying key challenges, understanding the approach taken by the consulting firm, evaluating the effectiveness of the solutions proposed, and assessing the overall impact of the project. By closely examining the details of each case study, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the consulting process and learn valuable lessons that can be applied to their own projects.

In order to effectively analyze Consulting Case Studies, it is important to ask critical questions such as:

• What were the main challenges faced by the client?
• What approach did the consulting firm take to address these challenges?
• What were the key findings and recommendations made by the consulting team?
• What were the outcomes of the project in terms of financial impact, operational improvements, or strategic benefits?
• What lessons can be learned from this case study that can be applied to future consulting projects?

By answering these questions and thoroughly examining the details presented in Consulting Case Studies, individuals can gain valuable insights into the consulting process and learn how to approach similar challenges in their own work. 

Tips for Crafting a Strong Consulting Case Study 

Case studies are a valuable tool for consultants to showcase their expertise and experience. By presenting a detailed analysis of a client project, consultants can demonstrate their problem-solving skills and the results they have achieved. To create a strong consulting case study, there are several tips to keep in mind.

First and foremost, it is important to choose a relevant and compelling client project to focus on. Selecting a project that highlights your expertise and showcases your ability to deliver results will help to capture the attention of potential clients. Additionally, be sure to include specific details about the client’s goals, challenges, and the solutions you implemented. Providing this context will help readers understand the complexity of the project and the impact of your work.

In addition to outlining the project details, it is important to highlight the results and outcomes of your work. Quantifying the impact of your solutions with specific metrics and data will provide concrete evidence of your success. This information can help potential clients understand the tangible benefits of working with you and can help establish your credibility as a consultant. By following these tips and creating a well-crafted case study, consultants can effectively showcase their skills and attract new clients. 

Tips for Writing a Compelling Case Study Narrative

Crafting a compelling case study narrative is essential for capturing the attention of your audience and effectively communicating the value of your work. When writing your case study, it is important to create a clear and engaging narrative that highlights the problem-solving process and the impact of your solutions. Start by outlining the client’s goals and challenges, and then explain how you approached the project and developed a strategic solution.

To keep readers engaged, consider incorporating storytelling elements into your case study. By providing a narrative structure with a clear beginning, middle, and end, you can create a compelling story that draws readers in and keeps them interested. Additionally, be sure to use clear and concise language to explain complex concepts and technical details in a way that is accessible to a wide audience.

Furthermore, don’t forget to include quotes or testimonials from the client to add credibility and perspective to your case study. Hearing directly from the client about their experience working with you can help reinforce the effectiveness of your solutions and build trust with potential clients. By following these tips for writing a compelling case study narrative, consultants can effectively communicate the value of their work and attract new clients. 

Tips for Designing an Engaging Case Study Layout

In addition to crafting a strong case study narrative, the design of your case study is also crucial for capturing and holding the attention of your audience. An engaging layout can help to visually communicate the key points of your case study and make it easier for readers to digest the information. When designing your case study, consider using a clean and professional layout with clear headings, bullet points, and visuals to break up the text and highlight important information.

Incorporating visual elements such as charts, graphs, and images can help to illustrate your key points and make the content more engaging and easy to understand. Including before-and-after comparisons or visual representations of the project’s impact can provide a powerful visual representation of your work. Additionally, be sure to use a consistent color scheme and typography to create a cohesive and visually appealing design.

Furthermore, consider including call-to-action buttons or contact information at the end of your case study to encourage readers to take the next step and reach out to learn more. By designing an engaging case study layout that complements your narrative, consultants can effectively showcase their work and attract new clients.

Consulting case studies are a crucial part of the interview process for landing a job in the consulting industry. In order to succeed, it’s important to avoid common mistakes in interpreting these case studies. 

One common mistake is jumping to conclusions without fully understanding the problem at hand. It’s important to take the time to thoroughly analyze the case study and ask clarifying questions if needed. Another mistake is not structuring your analysis in a logical and organized way. This can make it difficult for the interviewer to follow your thought process and ultimately lead to a weaker performance. 

Additionally, failing to prioritize your analysis can result in spending too much time on less important aspects of the case study. It’s crucial to identify the most critical issues and address them first in order to demonstrate your problem-solving skills effectively. Finally, overlooking the importance of communication skills can also be a mistake. Clearly articulating your analysis and insights is just as important as the analysis itself. 

Overall, by avoiding these common mistakes in consulting case study interpretation, you can increase your chances of success in the interview process and ultimately secure the job of your dreams.

• Jumping to conclusions without fully understanding the problem 
• Not structuring analysis in a logical and organized way 
• Failing to prioritize analysis 
• Overlooking the importance of communication skills

In the world of consulting, data plays a crucial role in shaping case studies and providing valuable insights for clients. When analyzing a business problem or opportunity, consultants rely on data to understand the current state of affairs, identify trends, and make informed recommendations. By collecting and analyzing data, consultants can uncover hidden patterns, correlations, and insights that can lead to more effective solutions.

Data also serves as a foundation for evidence-based decision-making in consulting. When presenting a case study to a client, consultants must back up their recommendations with solid data and analysis. This not only lends credibility to their findings but also helps clients understand the rationale behind the proposed solutions. Without data, recommendations may be perceived as subjective opinions rather than well-supported conclusions.

Data allows consultants to measure the impact of their recommendations and track progress over time. By setting clear metrics and key performance indicators, consultants can monitor the success of their interventions and make adjustments as needed. This data-driven approach helps ensure that consulting projects deliver tangible results and drive long-term value for clients. Ultimately, data is the cornerstone of consulting case studies, providing the evidence and insight needed to drive effective decision-making and create meaningful impact for clients. 

How Data Improves Decision-Making in Consulting Case Studies

One of the key benefits of using data in consulting case studies is its ability to improve decision-making processes. By analyzing data, consultants can identify key opportunities and challenges, assess the potential impact of different strategies, and make informed decisions that lead to better outcomes for clients. Data provides a solid foundation for decision-making, enabling consultants to avoid relying on gut instincts or personal biases.

Moreover, data-driven decision-making in consulting case studies helps mitigate risks and uncertainties. By examining historical data, market trends, and industry benchmarks, consultants can anticipate potential obstacles and develop contingency plans to address them. This proactive approach not only minimizes the likelihood of unexpected setbacks but also increases the likelihood of success for consulting projects.

Data also empowers consultants to test hypotheses, validate assumptions, and explore alternative scenarios in their case studies. By leveraging data analytics tools and techniques, consultants can conduct robust analyses that uncover valuable insights and inform strategic decisions. This iterative process of data-driven decision-making allows consultants to refine their recommendations, optimize their strategies, and deliver greater value to their clients. Ultimately, data enhances the quality of decision-making in consulting case studies, leading to more effective solutions and positive outcomes for clients.

How to Present Your Findings from Consulting Case Studies 

Consulting case studies are a valuable tool for showcasing your expertise and problem-solving skills to potential clients. When it comes to presenting your findings from these case studies, it is important to approach the task with both clarity and creativity. 

One effective way to present your findings is to start by clearly outlining the problem or challenge that you were tasked with addressing. This sets the stage for the rest of your presentation and helps your audience understand the context of your work. Next, explain your approach to solving the problem, including any research or analysis you conducted. This shows your audience that your findings are backed up by solid data and evidence. 

After presenting your approach, it is important to showcase the results of your work. This could include metrics such as improved efficiency or increased revenue, as well as any qualitative feedback from the client. Highlighting the positive outcomes of your consulting work helps to build credibility and demonstrate the value you provide to clients. Finally, conclude your presentation by summarizing the key takeaways from the case study and reiterating how your skills and expertise can benefit potential clients in similar situations. By following these steps, you can effectively present your findings from consulting case studies in a compelling and convincing way to get more clients . 

Tips for Creating Engaging Visuals for Your Consulting Presentations 

Visual aids can be a powerful tool for enhancing your consulting presentations and capturing the attention of your audience. When creating visuals for your presentations, it is important to keep a few key tips in mind to ensure that they are engaging and effective. 

One important tip is to keep your visuals simple and easy to understand. Avoid cluttering your slides with too much information or complex graphics, as this can overwhelm your audience and distract from your main points. Instead, use clean and clear visuals that help to reinforce your message and make it easier for your audience to follow along. 

Another tip is to use a variety of visual formats to keep your audience engaged. This could include charts, graphs, images, and even videos. By mixing up the types of visuals you use, you can create a dynamic and interesting presentation that holds the attention of your audience. Additionally, remember to use visual aids to enhance your verbal presentation, rather than replace it. Your visuals should complement your spoken content and help to reinforce your key points. By incorporating these tips into your consulting presentations, you can create engaging visual aids that help to bring your findings to life and make a lasting impression on your audience.

Deloitte published a great case study for a footwear company. In 2013, a competitor, Badger, launched a successful line of affordable work boots, prompting Duraflex, another footwear company, to rethink their strategy. With limited resources, Duraflex needed to decide whether to focus on competing in the work boot market or strengthening their position in casual boots.

Duraflex sought help from a top consulting firm in January 2014. The consultants conducted research to provide valuable insights for decision-making. They started by conducting a survey with 500 consumers in six key regions. Additionally, they analyzed Duraflex’s internal costs and pricing for both their work and casual boot lines. The analysis revealed that Duraflex was positioned at the premium end of the market for both types of boots.

This case study showcases how consulting firms like Deloitte can provide essential data and analysis to help companies make informed decisions about their business strategies. It’s worth reading as it gives a glimpse into how consulting firms work and the impact they can have on a company’s success.

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Case interview examples that your consulting firm can use

It might surprise you to learn that top-rated, established consulting firms invest in case studies. Browse around the websites of the biggest names in the game, like McKinsey, and you'll find a wealth of resources available for free.

Case studies are also useful when firms want to hire new consultants. The interviewer uses a previous case study they worked on to test the applicant's knowledge and problem-solving ability they learned in business school.

Applicants can study case interview examples to prepare for, and interview and consulting firms use them to qualify new consultants.

In this post, we'll look at the specifics of consulting case study examples and case interviews. We'll also unpack how implementing them in your firm can help you in the hiring process.

What is a case study?

Why do management consulting firms run case studies? It's an expensive exercise, so why go to the hassle?

The reality is that sample case studies are a beneficial tool for any consultancy firm. Case studies show how your skillset helped overcome organizational challenges for your clients. For consultants, case studies are the best kind of testimonial.

When reading the study, clients or other consultants get a verified, in-depth look at how the consultancy firm added value to the client.

As a result, they act as a marketing tool for the firm, providing social proof of consultancy services' quality. Case studies also serve as an educational resource for your website. They assist clients, students, and other consultants with finding out what worked during the process.

With a case study, you get a valuable marketing tool and a means of increasing your credibility and reputation. In this post, we'll look at consulting case study examples your firm can use.

The definition of a consulting case study varies from firm to firm, with the management and consultants playing a role in developing a unique style to the way the organization compiles and processes a case study.

Case studies are like fingerprints, and no two are the same. The content, length, format, and research models can vary widely, depending on which firm conducts the process. However, all case studies involve four principles, with a single intent.

The intent being that the case study is to note and explain the success of the processes initiated in previous client engagements. This strategy demonstrates the consultancy firm's competency and ability in resolving client problems.

The four components of a case study are the following.

• A comprehensive summary of the business problem facing the client
• Identification of the root causes of key issues facing the client
• A full analysis of the client situation and available solutions
• Implementation and execution of the client solution

A case study typically comes in a published report, with average lengths between two to three pages, depending on the extent of work involved with the case book.

What Is a case interview?

A case interview is part of the hiring process for new consultants. When a firm needs to test its candidates for a consulting job, they issue them with interactive case studies to test their skill set and problem-solving abilities.

During the interview, the applicant must analyze a previous client's problem and solve it in the shortest time possible, with an accurate solution.

During the process, the applicant has a suitable time to resolve the problem, and they need to present their findings as they go. The applicant can ask the interviewer questions during the process to receive the information they need to resolve the situation.

The interview is more of a dialogue, where the applicant requires a proactive approach to finding the solution. In many cases, the interviewer attempts to guide you towards finding the right answer.

However, it's important to note that the interview process is either candidate-led or interviewer-led, and these roles can change during the interview.

The interviewer uses the session to test the qualitative and quantitative skills of the candidate. The way the applicant handles the scenario with the information they receive shows the aspiring consultant's critical qualities.

For the candidate to experience a successful outcome in the interactive case interview process, they need to apply structured frameworks, ask the right questions, and think outside-of-the-box. There's no "Official answer" to the case study, and the consultant can neither be right or wrong.

There could be various solutions to the problem, and the candidate might come up with a viable unique solution. The interviewer looks at the process you took to get to the outcome, measuring it against the following five criteria.

#1 Creativity and business acumen

All candidates require a basic understanding of business concepts, meeting the firm's benchmark for creativity and business sense.

If the interviewer asks you to come up with ideas on rescuing an airline from bankruptcy, they don't expect you to have a deep understanding of the industry.

However, they're looking to qualify your general business sense and your ability to communicate. The interviewer expects you to ask penetrating questions, helping you get to the root cause of the problem and the actions that can resolve the scenario.

#2 Problem-solving skills

The interviewer will ask the candidate to identify key problems and isolate the cause of these issues. The interviewer presents the candidate with a range of data sets; some are informative, and others are irrelevant.

It's the candidate's task to wade through the data and utilize the correct data during their analysis.

The interviewer wants to see the candidate explain why they selected specific data to help them with their analysis and how they got to their conclusions using the information on hand.

#3 Structure and frameworks

During the interview process, the interviewer checks how the candidate forms a framework around their analysis and recommendations.

In other words, they're looking for the method the applicant uses to frame the problem and come up with a solution.

A good structure and framework can apply to any scenario, providing a systematic approach to problem-solving.

#4 Communication skills

Part of the case interview process involves the interviewer assessing the candidate's "soft-skills." Soft skills involve the applicant's communication and flexibility to adapt to new environments and work with new people. Consultants need to deal with high-level executives, CEOs, as well as colleagues and administrators on the job.

Therefore, the interviewer wants to see the candidate's ability to communicate under pressure, and with people, they meet for the first time – i.e., the interviewer.

Part of a consultant's job description involved dealing with figures and crunching numbers. You'll need to display competency in basic math without the need for a calculator. Interviewers are also testing your logic through your decision-making process.

What is the process of the case study interview?

Interviewers will typically choose a case study they previously worked on during the interview process. This approach gives the interviewer total control over the process, guiding the candidate in the right direction.

In this section, we'll walk you through the candidate and interviewer's responsibilities during the process.

#1 Opening your case interview

The opening of the case interview is the calm before the storm. During this phase, the candidate can get away with asking any question they want, even if the interviewer might deem it irrelevant.

It's a chance for the applicant to "feel-out" the scenario and get comfortable with the interviewer. The interviewer won't expect the candidate to know anything about the industry or client, and they expect them to start from a perspective of knowing nothing about the scenario.

The interviewer gently guides the candidate in asking the right questions, and there's no incentive for the interviewer to try and trick the applicant.

Applicants should ask questions to get as much clarity around the practice cases and business scenarios as possible. The key is to ask questions about the business model to help you find solutions. The interviewer is looking at the quality of the questions you ask and your train of thought.

After identifying the client's problem and general parameters of their business, the consultant inquires about key metrics for improvement. For instance, are they trying to increase profits by 10% or reduce operational expenses by 5%?

The client's problem should have as much detail as possible.

#2 Structuring case interviews

Many consultants make the mistake of thinking that the best method of preparing for a case interview – is studying as many case interviews as they can. However, this strategy is a mistake.

Spending too much time in research gives the candidate no experience in active problem-solving. Instead, they rely on cookie-cutter approaches to problem-solving that lack creativity and on-the-spot thinking, and decision-making.

Candidates need to analyze fresh problems to start their analytical minds. The framework is the most important part of the process, and if the candidate has a good structure to their problem-solving, they can work around any industry scenario.

Some of the important case interview tips candidates can add to their framework include the following.

• How does the candidate structure analysis of the client problem?
• What questions will you ask the interviewer?
• How do you set up math problems during the case interview?
• What recommendations are you going to make for the client?
• Compare your conclusion to the original case outcome.
• What recommendations did you get right, and what did you miss?

#3 Analyzing case interviews

During the analysis phase, the interviewer is looking to test the applicant's problem-solving ability. They ask the candidate to question them about anything they feel is relevant to understanding and resolving the client's problem.

The quality of the applicant's questions gives the interviewer an idea of the candidate's thought process. As mentioned, if the candidate provides an unconventional answer, that's okay. The interviewer might even see this as an advantage for the applicant.

Your questions should surround the four key areas of business analysis common in consulting interviews. These four areas include.

• Market Sizing
• Brainstorming and Logic
• Quantitative Reasoning or Math Skills
• Reading and interpreting exhibits

Regardless of what kind of analysis the interviewer brings up, the candidate can use a four-step process for asking good questions.

• Ask the interviewer for as much data as possible
• Spend time interpreting and analyzing the data
• Provide the interviewer with insights you discover
• Outline a process for taking steps to a solution

The data the candidate receives depends on the case interview.

For example, if the problem involves the client's pricing and profitability, request the company's financials to assess revenues and costs.

After receiving the correct data, you'll need tools to help you interpret it. If you discover the client's revenues are flatlining while costs are rising, you know the problem has something to do with its cost structure, leading you to examine the company's costs with a fin-tooth comb to find the answer.

As you progress through the problem-solving process, you'll start to find reasons why the client is adding costs and why it's outstripping revenues.

After identifying the problem, you progress intuitively to the next stage, helping the client find solutions to get costs under control and grow revenues.

You might have to run through the process several times until you uncover the root cause of the client's problem. After finishing your analysis, your next task is presenting findings to the interviewer, with a client recommendation on the issue.

#4 Concluding the case interview

After the consultant presents their findings, the interviewer covers their final recommendations, and they close the interview.

Top case interviews for consultants

Check out these free resources for an archive of the best examples of consultancy case interviews.

• A T Kearney Promotion Planning Case Study
• BCG Genco Case Study
• BCG Foods Inc Case Study
• Deloitte Finance Strategy Case Study
• Deloitte Retail Strategy Case Study
• McKinsey National Education Case Study
• McKinsey GlobaPharm Case Study
• McKinsey Electro-Light Case Study
• McKinsey Diconsa Case Study
• OC&C Leisure Club Case Study
• OC&C Imported Spirits Case Study
• Oliver Wyman Aqualine Case Study
• Oliver Wyman Wumbleworld Case Question

Other resources worth looking into include the following.

• Bain case interview examples
• BCG case interview examples
• Deloitte case interview examples
• Kearney case interview examples

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Top 40 Most Popular Case Studies of 2021

Two cases about Hertz claimed top spots in 2021's Top 40 Most Popular Case Studies

Two cases on the uses of debt and equity at Hertz claimed top spots in the CRDT’s (Case Research and Development Team) 2021 top 40 review of cases.

Hertz (A) took the top spot. The case details the financial structure of the rental car company through the end of 2019. Hertz (B), which ranked third in CRDT’s list, describes the company’s struggles during the early part of the COVID pandemic and its eventual need to enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 

The success of the Hertz cases was unprecedented for the top 40 list. Usually, cases take a number of years to gain popularity, but the Hertz cases claimed top spots in their first year of release. Hertz (A) also became the first ‘cooked’ case to top the annual review, as all of the other winners had been web-based ‘raw’ cases.

Besides introducing students to the complicated financing required to maintain an enormous fleet of cars, the Hertz cases also expanded the diversity of case protagonists. Kathyrn Marinello was the CEO of Hertz during this period and the CFO, Jamere Jackson is black.

Sandwiched between the two Hertz cases, Coffee 2016, a perennial best seller, finished second. “Glory, Glory, Man United!” a case about an English football team’s IPO made a surprise move to number four.  Cases on search fund boards, the future of malls,  Norway’s Sovereign Wealth fund, Prodigy Finance, the Mayo Clinic, and Cadbury rounded out the top ten.

Other year-end data for 2021 showed:

• Online “raw” case usage remained steady as compared to 2020 with over 35K users from 170 countries and all 50 U.S. states interacting with 196 cases.
• Fifty four percent of raw case users came from outside the U.S..
• The Yale School of Management (SOM) case study directory pages received over 160K page views from 177 countries with approximately a third originating in India followed by the U.S. and the Philippines.
• Twenty-six of the cases in the list are raw cases.
• A third of the cases feature a woman protagonist.
• Orders for Yale SOM case studies increased by almost 50% compared to 2020.
• The top 40 cases were supervised by 19 different Yale SOM faculty members, several supervising multiple cases.

CRDT compiled the Top 40 list by combining data from its case store, Google Analytics, and other measures of interest and adoption.

All of this year’s Top 40 cases are available for purchase from the Yale Management Media store .

And the Top 40 cases studies of 2021 are:

1.   Hertz Global Holdings (A): Uses of Debt and Equity

2.   Coffee 2016

3.   Hertz Global Holdings (B): Uses of Debt and Equity 2020

4.   Glory, Glory Man United!

5.   Search Fund Company Boards: How CEOs Can Build Boards to Help Them Thrive

6.   The Future of Malls: Was Decline Inevitable?

7.   Strategy for Norway's Pension Fund Global

8.   Prodigy Finance

9.   Design at Mayo

10. Cadbury

11. City Hospital Emergency Room

13. Volkswagen

14. Marina Bay Sands

15. Shake Shack IPO

16. Mastercard

17. Netflix

18. Ant Financial

19. AXA: Creating the New CR Metrics

20. IBM Corporate Service Corps

21. Business Leadership in South Africa's 1994 Reforms

22. Alternative Meat Industry

23. Children's Premier

24. Khalil Tawil and Umi (A)

25. Palm Oil 2016

26. Teach For All: Designing a Global Network

27. What's Next? Search Fund Entrepreneurs Reflect on Life After Exit

28. Searching for a Search Fund Structure: A Student Takes a Tour of Various Options

30. Project Sammaan

31. Commonfund ESG

32. Polaroid

33. Connecticut Green Bank 2018: After the Raid

34. FieldFresh Foods

35. The Alibaba Group

36. 360 State Street: Real Options

37. Herman Miller

38. AgBiome

39. Nathan Cummings Foundation

40. Toyota 2010

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10 Case Study Examples to Inspire Your Marketing Efforts

Sudarshan Somanathan

Head of Content

June 20, 2024

When your prospects are nearing a decision in their buyer’s journey, a strong case study can sway them your way. After all, everyone, even corporate decision-makers, loves a good story.

That’s why having satisfied customers showcase your strengths is more impactful than any self-promotion. It boosts credibility and earns you valuable recognition when potential customers come across these case studies.

No matter what you offer, case studies work because they build trust. They showcase real-life success stories , their detailed analysis proving your expertise and the quality of your products or services. 

That’s why they’re crucial for organizational growth.

Intrigued? Read on to explore the different types of case studies, their practical applications, and some marketing case study examples. 

By the end of this blog post, you will also have learned how to write a case study using a case study template. ✍️

Understanding Case Studies 

1. illustrative case studies, 2. exploratory case studies, 3. descriptive case studies, 4. cumulative case studies, 5. critical instance case studies, 6. instrumental case studies, 1. lucanet and hubspot, 2. cartoon network and clickup , 3. callingly and zapier , 4. philips and github , 5. google ads and samsung, 6. movingwaldo and mailchimp, 7. shutterstock and workday, 8. pidilite and salesforce , 9. sentinelone and storylane , 10. benchling and airtable , stage 1: research and preparation, stage 2: producing the case study, use the clickup case study template.

A case study is a detailed study of how your product or service has helped past customers. 

It acts as a track record of your company’s association with past customers and an insight into how they benefitted from your product offerings.

You can think of case studies as story-telling based on real-world data and results. 

Potential customers trust them because of their attention to detail in describing exactly how you delivered results for past customers. And if the past customer is someone they know or identify with, acquiring their trust is far easier.

According to the Content Marketing Institute, 73% of marketers use case studies , as they are proven tactics to drive sales. 

These studies are tailored to various industries, from business and marketing to psychology, technology, and healthcare. 

Creating compelling business case studies requires precision and clarity, like drafting a professional document. That’s where creative brief templates come in handy. They provide a structured framework to outline key details and create case study examples that resonate with your target audience.

Types of Case Studies 

Knowing the distinct kinds of case studies will help you use the best combination to influence your potential customers. We’ll also cover a few case study examples later on so you can see the different ways in which you or your marketing team can create your own case studies.

While one type of case study may help customers solve a business problem through a product/solution, others may be more suited for studying a specific event or business phenomenon. 

Let’s explore the commonly used types and case study examples.

Illustrative case studies describe a particular situation, phenomenon, or event. They use two or more instances to show just what a situation is like . The aim is to provide context, make the unfamiliar more accessible, and provide a real-world context for abstract concepts or theories.

For instance, SaaS case study examples highlight how a software solution significantly improved a client’s sales and efficiency.

Lids, a leading sports apparel retailer, has experienced rapid growth in recent years. To manage this growth effectively, Lids implemented ClickUp , a project management platform, to expedite workflows, save time, streamline administration, and improve results.

With ClickUp, our teams are more collaborative, efficient and we’re all more on-top of our work. It has made the way we work so much better.

The case study demonstrates how integrating a robust project management platform like ClickUp can streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and support substantial organizational growth.

Exploratory case studies are conducted before a large-scale investigation to help pinpoint research questions and methods for a more extensive study. 

These are often used when there is limited prior knowledge or existing theories about the subject. They are more frequently employed in social science disciplines.

For example, a research case study investigates the link between mental health disorders and social media usage in younger populations.

Researchers conducted a systematic review focusing on the impact of social media use on mental health . The study aimed to provide insights for future mental health strategies by analyzing the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes. 

Utilizing research plan templates can help structure such investigations, ensuring an in-depth analysis and data collection and analysis efficiency.

A descriptive case study starts with a descriptive theory as a foundation. It then attempts to find connections between the subject of discussion and the theory. These case studies rely on detailed qualitative data analysis to develop an argument.

Let’s consider a descriptive case study example on the usage of technology in classrooms focused on an elementary school in a suburban district during the 2011-2012 academic year.

This compelling case study highlights the importance of detailed, qualitative data in developing its argument.

A cumulative case study collects information from various sources to summarize past studies without increasing costs or time. It aims to aggregate data from multiple sources to draw broader conclusions.

For example, a case study on the impact of climate change on the Indian coastline aggregates data from various sources to provide a comprehensive summary of past research. 

It highlights that climate change and climate variability pose significant challenges to this ecosystem.

Critical instance case studies focus on a unique or critical event to learn more about its causes and consequences. They are often used to investigate rare or significant events.

For instance, Blackboard utilized Amazon EC2 Spot Instances to scale its virtual classroom solution amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This case study demonstrates how Blackboard effectively managed a staggering 4,800% surge in video conferencing usage while optimizing costs and enhancing performance.

Instrumental case studies use a specific case to generate insights into a broader issue or to refine a theoretical explanation. They are more frequently used to explore complex concepts or theories.

The story of Accenture’s Global SAP System serves as an instrumental case study example. 

It uses Accenture’s journey to create a unified SAP system to generate strategic insights into broader issues related to aligning business and IT strategies, standardizing business processes, and establishing global governance structures.

10 Case Study Examples for Different Use Cases 

Exploring a variety of case study examples can help you understand the nuances of their formatting, data presentation, and brand positioning. Here are ten case study examples to inspire you.

LucaNet is an international finance company that provides performance management solutions. With a global customer base, it wanted to opt for automated, personalized marketing in addition to handling complex lead management. 

HubSpot helped LucaNet automate its global marketing operations and bring all customer data into a centralized hub.

What do we like best about this case study presentation? HubSpot immediately showcases its key achievements at the top and provides compelling data on time savings, lead generation, and increase in MQLs.

✔️Takeaway : Highlight your measurable impact to showcase your ability to deliver tangible outcomes.

Cartoon Network’s social media team struggled with managing complicated workflows across different project management tools. 

ClickUp provided them with a unified platform to execute their social media management needs and ensure all team members are on the same page.

ClickUp’s case study of Cartoon Network is a good example of the appropriate use of supporting visuals. Rather than simply stating that ClickUp’s flexible views improved Cartoon Network’s project management, it demonstrates them in practical use.

✔️Takeaway : Create separate sections highlighting your client’s problem and the benefits offered by your solution in bullet points. The usage of supporting visuals is a major plus.

Callingly noticed that Zapier customers tend to get more value from their platform. To capitalize on this, they wanted to educate their customers on how to use Zapier effectively. 

Callingly embedded Zapier into its app, allowing customers to discover, create, and edit Zaps directly within the platform. This integration aims to give customers more control over their workflows and automate tasks seamlessly.

The integration makes it easier for customers to discover and use Zapier, reducing the need for customers to switch between platforms or manually set up Zaps.

This makes for one of the brilliant business case study examples, thoughtfully capturing how the company helped Callingly through compelling video demonstrations.

Their ‘why’ and ‘how’ sections are particularly impressive.

✔️Takeaway : Use impactful videos to engage users and educate customers on how your product works and help clients achieve impressive results.

GitHub’s case study of Philips concisely lists the customer’s problems, solutions, and products right on top for readers prone to TL; DR. It introduces the customer before presenting figures on how collaborating with GitHub helps Philips centralize their codebase. 

You’ll also find excerpts from conversations with several Philips employees, including the principal engineer and the program director, who elaborate on their need for software and how GitHub assisted. 

This case study example isn’t limited to products and solutions—it’s about listening to customers and providing real-world value.

✔️Takeaway : Having a well-written case study summary helps. Real conversations with customers and end-users can add interesting detail and value to otherwise serious (and sometimes boring) textual documents.

Google’s case study of Samsung is well-documented. It elaborately covers how Samsung utilized Performance Max, a goal-based campaign that lets advertisers access their advertising campaign across all of Google’s products from a single interface. 

What we like about the case study example is how it is a potential guide for newer businesses to experiment with Performance Max for their own ad campaigns.  

As with all of Google’s UI, the case study is minimalistic and straightforward. Yet, it leaves you wanting to experiment and try things out yourself.

✔️Takeaway : A good case study and a how-to guide don’t always need to be different. Great case studies don’t just make a point; they compel readers to take action and see the results for themselves.

Mailchimp’s case study is a detailed report on how MovingWaldo leveraged features like email and marketing automation, segmentation, A/B testing, and email marketing. It addresses the ‘how’, ‘why’, and ‘when.’ 

The case study page provides specific dates detailing when MovingWaldo implemented solutions and began observing their impact. They have also posted a short video describing the process, which breaks the monotony of reading long documents. 

Another highlight is a brief section detailing the future course of action, conveying that the journey of success is ongoing with additional feature enhancements. The case study transcends from being an account of the past to offering insights for the future.

✔️Takeaway : Specificity, such as adding exact dates, helps strengthen your case studies. Video and other multimedia content can take it up a notch.

Workday offers glimpses of its case studies, letting you choose between reading the story or watching the video. 

The case study begins with a powerful quote from the customer that demonstrates the impact of the solution. It then provides a brief description of the success metrics and highlights the core impact of the integration. 

It addresses Shutterstock’s pain points, such as diverse data sources, team members, and workflows, and showcases Workday’s effectiveness in countering those. 

While Workday keeps the case study short, it includes all the key details to educate the customer about the implementation. This is a great example of crafting a brief yet powerful case study.

✔️Takeaway : Short case studies are effective when well written because they pack a punch and tell a compelling story. Utilizing relevant quotes is also helpful.

 In this case study example, Salesforce brings out its value with the opening lines. It then lists each point of impact created by the software integration and explains its process. 

One of the best things about this case study is its organization (value summarized upfront) and thorough explanation of Pidilite’s challenges and how they were solved. 

They also feature a ‘what next’ section detailing the next steps Pidilite plans to take in its collaboration with Salesforce, implying that they continue providing value to the customer. 

✔️Takeaway : End your case study with a brief overview of your future collaboration plans with your customer. This tells your readers that the collaboration is ongoing and that you aim to keep improving your services to add value.

This case study example is an excellent showcase of customer success. What stands out is the use of a tabular format to list different use cases of Storylane’s software and provide a before-and-after for each use case. 

The table works well to summarize key achievements in a way that’s easy on the eye. The ‘Before’ column details the company’s pain points, and the ‘After’ column highlights the results that were brought about once Storylane entered the picture.

✔️Takeaway : Using ‘before’ and ‘after’ succinctly in your case studies helps drive impact and make your case studies stand out.

We liked this case study example because it simply explains how Airtable assists Benchling in prioritizing collaboration and addressing customer needs. 

It explains the functioning of the biology-first platform in a way that helps even non-technical readers understand the context. 

The case study ends with an insight into Airtable and Benchling’s future collaboration plans, indicating that more is to come in the years ahead. 

✔️Takeaway : Write a case study using simple language so customers can easily understand the product and software integration.

How to Create Your Own Case Study

We hope these case study examples have inspired you to portray your success over the years with some fantastic case studies.

While you may have ideas, feeling stuck with the marketing planning process is natural. 

Here’s how you can create your own case study in six easy steps. We’ll divide the process into two stages, research and prep, and production.

• Choose the customer: First, choose a customer willing to share their story and provide a testimonial and results. It’s important to choose a customer who has experienced significant benefits from your product or service since this will make your case study more compelling

Pro Tip: Not sure how to write an effective outreach email to enlist customer support for your case study program? Take help from ClickUp Brain’ s AI Writer to write persuasive copy. Moreover, you can email your customers directly from ClickUp!

• Outline the customer’s journey: Detail the customer’s journey from start to finish, including their actions before, during, and after using your services

Pro Tip: Storyboard your case study with your team using collaborative ClickUp Whiteboards . Once you’re happy with the outcome, create a ClickUp Task directly from the whiteboard. Assign it to the relevant owners, add tags for easy filtering, and use ClickUp Brain to generate sub-tasks and a brief task description automatically.

• Collect data: Gather quantitative and qualitative data on the company’s performance after using your services. This could include metrics like increased sales, improved efficiency, or higher customer satisfaction
• Draft the case study: Begin writing the case study by introducing the company and providing background information. Next, discuss the challenges they faced before using your product or service. Then, detail the solution you provided and how it was implemented. Finally, showcase the results and benefits the customer experienced after using your product or service, using the data you collected to support these points

Pro Tip: Brainstorm possible case study formats and outlines with ClickUp Brain, your creative partner in this endeavor.

• Get approval from the customer: Once you’ve drafted the case study, share it with the customer for their feedback and approval. This ensures that all the information is accurate and that the customer is comfortable with how their story is presented. It also provides an opportunity to make any necessary revisions

Pro Tip: Create a shareable case study in ClickUp Docs and share it with your customer in a single click for approval

• Publish and promote: After obtaining the customer’s approval, publish the case study on your website, blog, or other relevant platforms. Promote it through various channels such as social media, email newsletters, and sales presentations

Pro Tip: When your case study is ready to be distributed, add the relevant owners for social media and email distribution by simply mentioning them in a task comment

Instead of the process we just outlined, you can also use ClickUp’s free case study templates to plan, structure, and execute your case studies to maximize the efficiency of your content marketing efforts.

With ClickUp’s Case Study Template , you can: 

• Gather data from distinct sources to analyze it and identify key takeaways
• Craft compelling stories using an organized template to drive real impact 
• Collect ideas and note testimonials from clients to showcase real-life results
• Create a visual journey of the customer’s software integration steps
• Monitor and analyze the case study’s engagement
• Collaborate with marketing team members to create the case study together

ClickUp helps marketing teams optimize the entire process of writing a case study, from collecting data to finally sending customers an email for approval.

Craft Effective Case Studies with ClickUp 

Case studies are an excellent way to build trust with prospective clients and provide evidence for your claims. They exemplify how your products and services have aided others in reaching their business and marketing goals . Studying popular case study examples can help you ideate and find the perfect format for your own customer stories.

Collaborative work management platforms like ClickUp can help you plan and execute your case study project with ease. Draft customer success case studies showcasing results effectively using ClickUp’s Case Study Template. It not only provides you with a rough layout but also improves team collaboration, helps maintain consistency with the format, collects data, and much more.

Use the integrated AI assistant, ClickUp Brain, to generate outlines, write catchy copy, and brainstorm ideas. Put your case story together, along with the relevant links, images, and rich formatting, in ClickUp Docs and share it with stakeholders for input and approval.

Sign up for ClickUp today to create the most impactful marketing case studies to attain your marketing goals.

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PRINCE2 Case Studies: Real-World Project Management Examples

This blog delves into several compelling PRINCE2 Case Studies where PRINCE2 has been instrumental in driving project success across various industries. PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a broadly recognised project management methodology that provides a structured approach to managing projects.

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• PRINCE2® Foundation
• PRINCE2® Practitioner
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This blog gives insights on prominent PRINCE2 Case Studies. The examples are from different organisations. They illustrate how these organisations have successfully applied this methodology to achieve their project goals. We will have a careful look at each of these examples and analyse them. Each example will guide you through the issues that you may face while doing your projects. 

Table of Contents 

1) PRINCE2 Case Studies 

   a) Australian Department of Parliamentary Services  

   b) Environment Canada  

   c) Transpower 

   d) University of Western Australia Library 

   e) VocaLink  

2) Conclusion 

PRINCE2 Case Studies 

The following case studies showcase the application of PRINCE2 in diverse sectors. They highlight the benefits and outcomes of using this robust project management framework. 

Australian Department of Parliamentary Services Case Study 

The Australian Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) undertook a major IT infrastructure project. The goal was to upgrade their parliamentary network services. This complex project required careful planning. Coordination and execution were also important to avoid disruptions to critical parliamentary activities. 

Application of PRINCE2: 

1) Project Initiation: The project began with a clear project brief and a detailed Project Initiation Document (PID). This helped define the project scope and clarified the objectives and deliverables. 

2) Roles and Responsibilities: PRINCE2's role-based structure ensured that everyone involved had a clear understanding of responsibilities. This ranged from the project board to the project team. 

3) Stages and Plans: The project was divided into manageable stages. Each stage had its plan and review process. This approach allowed for continuous monitoring. Adjustments were made as needed. 

4) Risk Management: A comprehensive Risk Management strategy was implemented. It identified potential risks and developed mitigation plans. 

Outcomes: 

The use of PRINCE2 enabled DPS to complete project on time and within budget. There were minimal disruptions. The structured approach facilitated effective communication. It also supported decision-making. This led to a successful upgrade of the IT infrastructure.  

Environment Canada Case Study 

Environment Canada launched a project to develop and implement new environmental monitoring system. The objective was to enhance the accuracy. It also aimed to improve the efficiency of data collection. An analysis for environmental protection and policymaking was a key goal. 

Application of PRINCE2:

1) Business Case: A strong business case was developed. It outlined the need for the new system and expected benefits. This document was crucial for securing stakeholder buy-in and funding. 

2) Quality Management: PRINCE2's focus on quality ensured project deliverables met the required standards. Regular quality reviews were conducted. Audits were performed throughout the project lifecycle. 

3) Change Control: The project adopted a rigorous change control process. This was necessary to manage any changes to the project scope or requirements. It helped maintain project stability and control costs. 

Environment Canada successfully implemented a new environmental monitoring system, which has significantly improved data accuracy and efficiency. The project was completed within the set timelines. And it stayed on budget. This was thanks to the disciplined application of PRINCE2 principles. 

Transpower Case Study 

Transpower New Zealand's state-owned electricity transmission company, embarked on project to upgrade its national grid infrastructure. The project aimed to enhance the reliability. It also sought to increase the capacity of the electricity transmission network. 

1) Tailoring PRINCE2: Transpower tailored the PRINCE2 methodology to fit the specific needs of the project. This ensured flexibility while maintaining the core principles. 

2) Stakeholder Engagement: Active stakeholder engagement was key focus. Regular communication and updates were provided to all interested parties. This helped manage expectations. It also secured ongoing support. 

3) Issue Management: A structured issue management process was in place to address any problems that arose during the project. This ensured issues were resolved promptly and effectively. 

The project resulted in a more robust and reliable national grid. It met the growing demand for electricity. The use of PRINCE2 enabled Transpower. They managed project complexities. They delivered the desired outcomes.  

Enhance your understanding of the core principles of PRINCE2® Foundation & Practitioner Training – Register now!  

University of Western Australia Library Case Study 

The University of Western Australia (UWA) Library initiated project to digitise its extensive collection of rare and valuable documents. The goal was to preserve these documents. Also make them accessible to a wider audience. 

1) Project Planning: Detailed project plans were developed. These plans outlined the steps required to digitise the documents. Steps included scanning, cataloguing, and storage. 

2) Resource Management: PRINCE2's resource management framework helped ensure that necessary resources were available when needed. This included staff, equipment and budget. 

3) Progress Monitoring: Regular progress reports and reviews were conducted. These tracked the project's progress and allowed necessary adjustments. 

The digitisations project was a success. Thousands of documents were preserved. They were made accessible online. The structured approach of PRINCE2 facilitated efficient project execution. The strategy ensured high-quality results. 

VocaLink Case Study 

VocaLink a leading payment systems provider took on project to develop a new real-time payment platform. The objective was to provide faster. It also aimed to deliver more efficient payment processing services. 

1) Detailed Planning: A comprehensive project plan was formulated. It details each phase of platform development, from the initial design to the final implementation. 

2) Risk Management: A proactive Risk Management strategy employed to identify potential risks early. Mitigation plans were developed to address them. 

3) Customer Focus: The project maintained strong focus on customer needs, ensuring the final platform met user requirements. It delivered high-quality User Experience (UX). 

The new real-time payment platform was successfully launched. It provides VocaLink's customers with faster. More reliable payment services. The application of PRINCE2 principles ensured that project was provided on time and met all Key Performance Indicators (KPI). 

Attain in-depth knowledge about PRINCE2® principles, themes, and processes with our PRINCE2® Foundation Course .  

Conclusion 

PRINCE 2 Case Studies highlight the effectiveness of the PRINCE2 methodology in managing diverse projects across various sectors. By providing a structured framework for planning, executing, and monitoring, PRINCE2 helps organisations achieve their objectives, manage risks, and deliver high-quality outcomes. 

Frequently Asked Questions

A successful PRINCE2 project example is the construction of Heathrow Airport Terminal 5. It applied PRINCE2 methodology effectively in planning, execution, and delivery, incorporating regular reviews and clear roles, leading to its completion within budget and on time.  

Deciding between PRINCE2 and Agile should be based on project needs and personal career goals. PRINCE2 is ideal for structured environments requiring clear governance, while Agile suits dynamic projects with frequent changes. For a blend of both, PRINCE2 Agile offers structure with flexibility to adapt to changes. 

The Knowledge Academy takes global learning to new heights, offering over 30,000 online courses across 490+ locations in 220 countries. This expansive reach ensures accessibility and convenience for learners worldwide.  

Alongside our diverse Online Course Catalogue, encompassing 17 major categories, we go the extra mile by providing a plethora of free educational Online Resources like News updates, Blogs , videos, webinars, and interview questions. Tailoring learning experiences further, professionals can maximise value with customisable Course Bundles of TKA .

The Knowledge Academy’s Knowledge Pass , a prepaid voucher, adds another layer of flexibility, allowing course bookings over a 12-month period. Join us on a journey where education knows no bounds.  

The Knowledge Academy offers various Project Management Courses , including the PRINCE2® Foundation & Practitioner Training and PRINCE2 Agile® Practitioner Course. These courses cater to different skill levels, providing comprehensive insights into Agile Roles and Responsibilities .  

Our Project Management Blogs cover a range of topics related to PRINCE2®, offering valuable resources, best practices, and industry insights. Whether you are a beginner or looking to advance your Project Management skills, The Knowledge Academy's diverse courses and informative blogs have got you covered.  

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