MECE
- Why use it?
- Simplify your ideas (do we understand enough to simplify?)
- Get logic at the right level (fruit, banana example)
- Quickly test idea (MVP feedback for direction check)
- Find holes in the story (CE based on what? If we can’t answer that then we’re likely missing something)
Simply ask:
- Is there a clear way to organize? If so, what’s the organizing question/principle?
- Is something higher or lower level of abstraction?
- What’s missing?
- What could be left out? An exception? Could something be a hybrid?
“Other” - Abstract higher to understand what a higher-level description of your categories could be
Specify the question: (Specificity gives you access)
- Too broad: “What can our company do to improve”
- More specific: “How can the company improve its conversion rates on product x”
If you have categories, strive to define them w/ clear definitions/metrics such that you can distinguish
- Importantly, the question drives the clarity
- Can the client profitably enter this market?
- Can the client earn back the investment they must make to enter the market in 2 years?
- Can the client cut costs by $x million dollars?
- Can the client increase revenues by 10%?
- Revenue = Price x unit volume l Costs = fixed + variable
Other MECE resources:
- https://managementconsulted.com/what-is-mece/
- https://www.hackingthecaseinterview.com/pages/mece
- https://mconsultingprep.com/case-interview-mece
- https://careerinconsulting.com/mece-principle/
- https://mconsultingprep.com/case-interview-mece#basic-rules
- https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/strategy/mece-framework/