What are the most effective ways to brainstorm ideas during a case interview?

1 Use a framework

A framework is a tool that helps you organize your thoughts and approach a case in a logical and systematic way. It can be based on a general business concept, such as the SWOT analysis or the 4Ps of marketing, or a specific industry or function, such as the value chain or the profit equation. A framework can help you brainstorm ideas by providing you with categories, dimensions, or criteria to explore, as well as guiding questions to ask. For example, if you are asked to improve the profitability of a company, you can use the profit equation framework to brainstorm ideas on how to increase revenues or reduce costs, and then drill down into each component to generate more specific ideas.

2 Use the MECE principle

The MECE principle stands for mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive, and it means that your ideas should not overlap with each other, and should cover all the relevant aspects of the case. This principle can help you brainstorm ideas by ensuring that you avoid duplication, gaps, or contradictions in your thinking, and that you prioritize the most important and impactful ideas. For example, if you are asked to identify the growth opportunities for a product, you can use the MECE principle to brainstorm ideas along different dimensions, such as market, product, customer, or channel, and then rank them based on their feasibility, attractiveness, and fit with the client's goals.

3 Use divergent and convergent thinking

Divergent and convergent thinking are two complementary modes of thinking that can help you brainstorm ideas by enhancing your creativity and critical thinking. Divergent thinking is the process of generating many different and diverse ideas without judging or filtering them, while convergent thinking is the process of evaluating, selecting, and refining the best ideas based on criteria and evidence. For example, if you are asked to design a new service for a bank, you can use divergent thinking to brainstorm ideas based on different customer needs, pain points, or preferences, and then use convergent thinking to narrow down your ideas based on their feasibility, profitability, and differentiation.

4 Use analogies and examples

Analogies and examples are techniques that can help you brainstorm ideas by drawing inspiration from other contexts, industries, or situations that are similar or relevant to the case. They can help you overcome mental blocks, discover new perspectives, or validate your assumptions. For example, if you are asked to increase the customer loyalty of a retailer, you can use analogies and examples to brainstorm ideas based on how other successful retailers or companies in other sectors have built loyalty programs, rewards schemes, or community engagement.

5 Use brainstorming rules

Brainstorming rules are guidelines that can help you brainstorm ideas by creating a positive and productive environment, whether you are working individually or in a team. Some of the common brainstorming rules are: defer judgment, go for quantity, encourage wild ideas, build on others' ideas, and stay focused on the topic. These rules can help you brainstorm ideas by fostering a mindset of openness, curiosity, and collaboration, and by avoiding criticism, negativity, or distraction. For example, if you are asked to reduce the environmental impact of a manufacturing company, you can use brainstorming rules to brainstorm ideas by suspending your initial skepticism, generating as many ideas as possible, exploring unconventional or radical ideas, and adding value to others' ideas.

Brainstorming is a vital skill for case interviews, as it can help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, as well as your creativity and communication skills. By using these effective ways to brainstorm ideas, you can impress your interviewer and increase your chances of landing your dream consulting job.