Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is well known for solving business problems and it is not the most innovative consulting company, however, they have a very structured way of doing it.
Structured problem solving
Structured problem-solving starts with framing the problem.
It is essential to understand the problem. Without a proper understanding and framing of the problem, you may not even get to the right solution.
BCG’s way of problem-solving
Thinking drives doing
Mentality: hope to collect the “right” data. Be intentional and deliberate on how you approach the problem
- Frame and define the real problem
- Get to the real issue
The first step in structuring out a problem: SCQ Situation –> Complication –> Question
There are many other posts on SCQ or SCQA, and here is a typical one to explain more.
Situation — What is the current recognized and stable situation?
Complication — What’s the main issue at hand?
Question — What is the key question to be answered?
2. Generate ideas and structure hypotheses
- Use the Pyramid Principle to structure thinking
Hypotheses are your best estimate of the answer, with the current information available.
Hypotheses …
- Help us to be more focused and specific
- Can be wrong!
- Are adapted as more findings come along
Best practices to establish and sharpen hypotheses
- Make it more focused
- Make it more specific
- Quantify hypotheses early
