A Beginner’s Guide to Frameworks in Consulting Case Interviews

If you’re new to consulting case interviews, you’ve probably heard about frameworks but might not be sure what they are or how to prepare for them effectively. Don’t worry—you’re not alone!

Consulting frameworks are structured approaches to analyzing and solving business problems. Mastering frameworks is essential for anyone looking to land an entry-level consulting job or preparing for their first consulting case competition.

To make this guide beginner-friendly, we’ll break down frameworks using a classic Bain case interview example, “Coffee Shop Co.”—one that even a non-consultant can easily relate to.

What is a Framework?

A framework is simply a structured way to break down complex problems logically—think of it as your roadmap for tackling business challenges.

But here’s the key: a framework isn’t just a difficult question you need to answer in a case interview. It’s also a communication method that demonstrates how you think, showing the interviewer that you can analyze information, prioritize key factors, and present your ideas clearly.

If you’re aiming for a top consulting firm like McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, having a structured approach to problem-solving isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

Buzzwords You Will Hear When People Talk About a Strong Case Framework

MECE Principle (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive)

Avoid redundancy and ensure full coverage. For instance, in a profitability case, splitting the problem into revenue and costs keeps it clear and complete.

Prioritization: Less is More

Your business case structure should be focused and relevant. The best candidates highlight the most important aspects tailored to client situation based on the case prompt.

Logical Flow: Always Answer ‘Why?’ and ‘How?’

Each point in your case study framework should answer:
- Why is this important?
- How does it help solve the case?

Example: A Beginner-Friendly Market Entry Framework

Let’s apply a simple, beginner-friendly framework to a classic case example from Bain & Co:

“Should You Open a Coffee Shop in Cambridge?

You’re having lunch with an old friend from university, and she’s looking for some business advice. She is thinking of opening a coffee shop in Cambridge, England, a large university city an hour and a half away from London.

She sees potential in this business but wants your help in determining whether opening a coffee shop is a good idea.

What do you think?”

To make this easier to relate to, now imagine you’re considering opening a coffee shop in your neighborhood, and you need to decide if it’s a good business opportunity.

Step 1: Build the Structure of Your Framework

As business owners, when we deal with investments, we should consider 3 questions:

1. Attractiveness: Is there market demand for a new coffee shop?

2. Feasibility: Do we have the necessary resources and capabilities?

3. Execution: How should we successfully launch and operate the business?

These three buckets form the core of your framework. Buckets 1 and 2 help answer the ultimate question: "Is this business worth pursuing?" while Bucket 3 addresses "How to execute it successfully?"

Bucket 1: Assessing Market Attractiveness

This step determines whether there’s enough demand for the business to succeed. It includes three sub-buckets of analysis:

1.1 Market Size

How big is the potential customer base? (Residents, students, office workers)
How often do these groups buy coffee? (Daily, weekly, occasionally)
How can we estimate demand?

Observe foot traffic at local cafés.
Look at industry reports on coffee consumption trends.
Survey potential customers about their coffee habits.

1.2 Customer Preferences

What type of coffee do people prefer? (Specialty coffee vs. instant coffee)
Do customers prioritize price, taste, or ambiance?
Do people prefer takeaway coffee, or do they want a place to sit and work?
How can we gather insights?

Conduct customer surveys.
Visit competitor coffee shops and observe ordering behavior.
Analyze local social media discussions and reviews.

1.3 Competitor Landscape

How many coffee shops already exist nearby?
Are they high-end specialty cafés or budget chains?
Are there alternative coffee sources? (Tea shops, convenience stores)
How to gather this data?

Visit competing coffee shops and assess their pricing, customer volume, and reviews.
Check Google and Yelp reviews to understand customer sentiment.
Speak with local residents about their coffee-buying habits.

If market demand is strong and competition isn’t overwhelming, the business could have potential. But just because a market is attractive doesn’t mean it’s feasible!

Bucket 2: Assessing Feasibility

Even if there’s a strong market, you still need to evaluate whether you have the resources and capabilities to enter it successfully. This could be further broken down into 3 more sub-buckets of analysis

2.1 Financial Feasibility

What’s the estimated initial investment? (Rent, renovation, equipment)
What are the ongoing expenses? (Salaries, supplies, utilities)
How many cups of coffee need to be sold daily to break even?
Is funding available? (Self-funded or requiring a loan)

2.2 Operational Capabilities

Is there a reliable supply chain for high-quality coffee beans?
Do you have skilled baristas or a plan to train employees?
Do you understand pricing strategies and customer acquisition tactics?

2.3 Brand & Differentiation

What’s the brand positioning? (Premium coffee, budget-friendly, community-focused)
What unique value will set this shop apart? (Specialty drinks, unique ambiance, community engagement)

Bucket 3: Planning Execution

In many market entry case interviews, Bucket 3 is usually the focus of a follow-up brainstorming question, so we’ll simplify the answer here. Once you determine that the market is attractive and feasible, the next step is figuring out how to launch the business effectively.

Key considerations include:

Location Selection: Prioritize high-foot-traffic areas with reasonable rent.
Marketing & Customer Acquisition: Leverage local promotions, social media, and loyalty programs.
Operations & Scaling: Ensure smooth day-to-day management, monitor performance, and adjust based on customer feedback.

Step 2: Communicating the Framework in an Interview

After you build your framework, you should clearly outline your structure to the interviewer.

For example:

"To evaluate whether my friend should open a coffee shop in Cambridge, I’ll analyze three key questions: (1) Is there market demand for a new coffee shop? (2) Do we have the necessary resources and capabilities? (3) How should we successfully launch and operate the business? Under each key question, there are sub-buckets of analysis I would like to explore..."

Then, walk through each point in detail, explaining your thought process logically—exactly what strategy consulting firms look for in top candidates.

At MECE Academy, practice with realistic case interview examples with an AI coach and receive tailored feedback. We are here to support you to ace case interviews with confidence. Stay tuned for the upcoming framework drills!