Consulting Approach to Problem Solving from Coursera

This is the #3 course in the specialization on management consulting.

Management consultants excel at solving difficult and complex business problems. How do they do this? Shouldn’t clients know more about their situation than external consultants? Consultants are trained to systematically break down problems into logical pieces, then aggressively pursue answers with data:

• Think about the problem broadly; strategy, operations, people, technology

• Define the problem clearly; articulate “what does success look like?”

• Break the problem into “buckets” so it is easy to understand

• Use hypotheses to “guess” your way to the potential answer(s)

• Find and clean up messy data; convert the data into useful recommendations

What's inside

Syllabus

Problem Definition and Scoping

Problem definition may sound abstract or boring, but it's incredibly important to solve the RIGHT PROBLEM. Like a detective at a crime scene, a consultant needs to stay open-minded; think broadly about the problem and "look around" for obvious (and missing) clues. In practical terms, a clear problem statement helps the consulting manager keep the scope broad enough for flexibility and creativity, while narrow enough that the work can get done within the project time-frame.

Frameworks and Logical Structuring

Using the analogy of a jigsaw puzzle, the prior step of "problem definition" was looking at the picture on the box and defining the edges of the puzzle. This step of "problem break down" is sorting the puzzle pieces into different colors: red, yellow, blue, green. Different business frameworks help to simplify complex problems and identify the key drivers (e.g., 80/20 pareto principle). It also offers the opportunity to get early client feedback and form early hypotheses on what the answer(s) could be. Finally, it helps to organize the work so the team can divide up the work effectively.

Hypothesis-Based Consulting

Unless you are a scientist, the word "hypothesis" will likely seem a little strange. It's the idea that you are making an "educated guess" on what the solutions could be. It's a statement (not a question) that you work to prove through testing. How is this related to consulting? Consultants are often hired to solve the toughest problems in a short amount of time. The only way to accomplish that is by being smart and selective in what they do. This is the secret to how consultants successfully "crack the case" on their clients' problems.

Consultants Love Data

Yes, consultants LOVE data. It is the raw ingredients in the cooking of useful recommendations. Too often, the data is messy, biased, old, fragmented, or missing. As a result, one of the first tasks in a consulting project is to identify and collect usable data sets. It's an enormous task - often unglamorous - but also the only way you can test your hypotheses and develop recommendations. Data lends credibility to consultants' recommendations.

Data Request and Data Cleansing

Once you've identified the data you need, the journey has just begun. Using a cooking analogy, you've only put together the shopping list. You still need to get the ingredients, check for freshness, get enough, wash / peel / cut them before you can do the cooking. The same applies for data. It takes effort, client engagement, and some wisdom to request data efficiently.

Get the "Right Data" for the Project

There is too much data out there to analyze it all; you need to be selective. One way to do that is to follow a structured process or methodology. It doesn't have to be fancy or proprietary. It just needs to outline for yourself and the client, what you are going to do when. This project plan is at a high-level and helps you to reorient your efforts to the right data, right analysis, and right timing. The following DMAIC framework is used frequently in performance improvement projects.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Designed explicitly for those seeking to advance their skills in management consulting

Led by instructors with extensive experience in consulting

Concepts taught are highly relevant to current industry practices

Emphasis on logical problem-solving and data-driven decision-making

Covers essential aspects of management consulting, such as problem definition, hypotheses testing, and data analysis

Part of a specialization on management consulting, indicating a comprehensive learning path

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Consulting Approach to Problem Solving with these activities:

Review Estimation Tools

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Review material on the types of tools that can be used to estimate solutions to problems and practice using them in a spreadsheet.

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List the estimation tool types.
Explain how waterfall, bottom-up, and three-point estimates interrelate.
Estimate a project's number of hours using estimation tools.

Compile and Review Course Notes

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Regularly compiling and reviewing notes helps reinforce course material, improve recall, and prepare for assessments.

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Gather and Organize Course Materials
Summarize and Revise Notes
Test Understanding through Practice Questions or Recall

Review Consulting Frameworks and Techniques

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Reviewing frameworks and techniques allows learners to familiarize themselves with industry best practices and refine their consulting skills.

Browse courses on Problem Definition

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Identify Relevant Frameworks and Techniques
Explore Online Resources and Tutorials
Apply Frameworks to Practice Scenarios

Nine other activities

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Participate in Peer Consulting Sessions

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Peer sessions provide a platform for students to collaborate, share knowledge, and refine their consulting approaches.

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Establish a Peer Group or Find a Partner
Set Regular Meeting Times
Discuss Consulting Cases and Exchange Insights

Practice Hypothesis Development

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Increase your ability to generate hypotheses by practicing in a safe and supportive environment.

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Review hypothesis formulation.
Develop hypotheses and justify them using IF/THEN statements.

Solve Consulting Practice Problems

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Solving practice problems helps reinforce course concepts, develop analytical skills, and build problem-solving abilities.

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Gather Practice Questions
Attempt Solving Problems
Review Solutions and Identify Areas for Improvement

Work on a Consulting Project

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Developing a consulting project can help connect the course material with real-life implementation.

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Craft Problem Statement
Gather and Structure Data
Hypothesize and Test
Develop Recommendations
Present Findings

Learn Vertical Techniques

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Improve your ability to prioritize by learning and trying out vertical techniques such as the Pareto principle.

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Find an online tutorial on Vertical Heuristics and the Pareto principle.
Learn about how to identify the vital few and the trivial many.
Apply the concepts to a business case.

Write a Consulting Case Study

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Creating a case study allows students to apply course concepts to specific scenarios and demonstrate their understanding.

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Select a Consulting Scenario
Identify Relevant Course Concepts
Analyze the Scenario
Develop Recommendations
Write and Format Case Study

Design a Problem-Solving Strategy

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Improve your problem-solving skills by creating a framework that can be used to approach any problem.

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Identify the key components of a problem.
Create a step-by-step process for solving problems.
Test the framework on a real-world problem.

Create a Data Visualization Dashboard

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Improve your data visualization skills by creating a dashboard that presents data in a clear and concise way.

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Identify the key metrics.
Choose the right visualization techniques.
Create the dashboard.

Prepare a Consulting Case

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Further develop your ability to solve business problems by identifying and solving a problem faced by a real company and presenting your findings to stakeholders.

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Identify a Challenge or Opportunity
Choose an Industry or Company
Research and Analyze the Issue
Propose Solutions

Career center

Learners who complete Consulting Approach to Problem Solving will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Project Manager

Project managers use data to plan and execute projects. They use their analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that can help businesses achieve their goals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful project manager. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Data Scientist

Data scientists use data to solve complex problems and make predictions. They use their analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that can help businesses make informed decisions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful data scientist. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts use mathematical and analytical techniques to solve problems in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and finance. They use their skills to develop and implement solutions that can help organizations improve their efficiency, productivity, and profitability. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful operations research analyst. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Statistician

Statisticians use data to solve problems and make predictions. They use their analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that can help businesses make informed decisions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful statistician. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Data Analyst

Data analysts use data to solve problems and make decisions. They use their analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that can help organizations improve their efficiency, productivity, and profitability. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful data analyst. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts use data to analyze the financial performance of companies and make investment recommendations. They use their analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that can help investors make informed decisions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful financial analyst. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Operations Manager

Operations managers use data to improve the efficiency and productivity of businesses. They use their analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that can help businesses improve their bottom line. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful operations manager. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative analysts use mathematical and statistical techniques to analyze data and make predictions. They use their skills to develop and implement solutions that can help businesses make informed decisions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful quantitative analyst. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Actuary

Actuaries use data to analyze risk and make predictions. They use their analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that can help businesses make informed decisions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful actuary. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

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Business Intelligence Analyst

Business intelligence analysts use data to help businesses make informed decisions. They use their analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that can help businesses improve their efficiency, productivity, and profitability. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful business intelligence analyst. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

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Economist

Economists use data to analyze the economy and make predictions. They use their analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that can help businesses make informed decisions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful economist. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

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Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts use data to understand the needs and wants of customers. They use their analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that can help businesses improve their marketing strategies and products. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful market research analyst. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

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Business Consultant

Consultants work with companies to identify and solve business problems. They use their analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that can help businesses improve their performance. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful business consultant. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

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Systems Analyst

Systems analysts work with organizations to design and implement new or improved computer systems. They use their analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that can help organizations improve their efficiency, productivity, and profitability. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful systems analyst. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

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Management Analyst

Management analysts help organizations improve their performance by analyzing their operations and identifying areas for improvement. They use their analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that can help organizations improve their efficiency, productivity, and profitability. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful management analyst. It will teach you how to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop and implement solutions. It will also help you to develop the communication and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Analyst