What is the purpose of analytical thinking?
To identify a GOOD solution
What are the criteria for a GOOD solution?
● Solution must be Feasible - firm has or can get the resources to implement it.
● Solution must be Complete - outlines all the key activities that must be executed.
● Solution must be Effective - achieve the immediate and overarching objectives.
What is the first step to analyzing a case?
- What’s the question?
● Elements
○ Understand the immediate question, underlying issue.
○ Identify relevant models and frameworks.
● Tools
○ 3 Whys
○ Models, frameworks, issue trees.
● Pro-tip
○ The immediate issue and hints are usually found in the intro or conclusion of the
case
What is the second step to analyzing a case and it’s importance?
- What are the objectives, aspirations, and criteria our solution should satisfy?
Importance: affect design, prove effectiveness.
What are step 2’s two kinds of objectives?
○ Given in the case - obvious - what do we want to achieve with this solution?
○ Aspirational - long term - what else do we want now and in the future? What’s our
vision?
What is decision criteria?
Identifying ideal solution qualities
○ Decision Criteria
■ Needed to judge options or ensure solutions address key objectives.
■ Can be applied to overall solution or to questions with obvious options
What are these criteria for step 2?
2-4 criteria; an ideal solution will…
■ Satisfy KSFs of solution
■ Address or stay within constraints or preferences
■ Support the aspiration/vision/top priority of the company.
What is the third step of analyzing a case and it’s importance?
What are the constraints, options, and components needed for a complete, feasible, and effective solution?
Importance - need to understand the situation to ensure the solution is feasible,
complete, and effective.
What are the elements of the third step?
○ Complications/constraints, strengths and opportunities (feasible).
○ Complete solution components (complete).
Provide some examples of constraints in relation to the Diamond-E.
■ Human resources are largely non-tech savvy.
■ Already have a lot of debt so cannot borrow to expand.
■ Tech talent in short supply and tends to go to larger firms.
Provide an example of constraints in relation to Porter’s five forces.
■ High competition, unreachable customers, majority of suppliers are at
capacity with existing contracts.
Provide an example of constraints in relation to Porter’s generic strategies.
■ Product is viewed as a commodity - hard to differentiate.
■ Low cost requires large scale but markets are too small.
What is the main goal of Step 4 in problem-solving?
To develop and evaluate options or hypotheses to solve the problem and choose the best one.
Where can potential solution options come from?
They can be given in the case, derived from models, or created by you if equally strong or better.
Is it acceptable to propose your own solution option?
Yes, if it is as strong or better than existing ones.
Can the status quo be a valid option?
Yes, sometimes maintaining the current state is a valid choice.
What does it mean for options to be mutually exclusive?
You can only choose one option; they should not overlap.
How should you compare the different solution options?
Use decision criteria to evaluate and compare them.
What is the purpose of Step 5 in problem-solving?
To lay out strategic, tactical, and operational solution details and use force field analysis to support implementation.
What are the three levels of recommendations required for a complete solution?
Strategic, tactical, and operational.
What does a strategic recommendation focus on?
What the “big idea” for answering the key question in the case.
What does an operational recommendation focus on?
Day-to-day activities and execution details.
What does a tactical recommendation focus on?
Mid-term actions and resource allocation to support strategy.
What is the purpose of force field analysis in Step 5?
To harness enabling forces and address forces of resistance to ensure successful implementation.
