---
name: consulting
description: Apply consulting methodologies from McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and Accenture for structured problem-solving and strategic analysis. Use when analyzing business problems, developing strategy, structuring presentations, evaluating M&A, sizing markets, improving profitability, managing projects, or driving organizational change.
allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Glob
---

# Consulting Frameworks

Comprehensive methodologies used by top consulting firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Accenture) for problem-solving, strategy, and business transformation.

## Framework Categories

| Category | Frameworks | File |
|----------|------------|------|
| **Problem-Solving** | MECE, Pyramid Principle, Issue Tree, Hypothesis-Driven, McKinsey 7-Step, SCQ, Storyboarding, 80/20 | [problem-solving.md](problem-solving.md) |
| **Strategic Analysis** | McKinsey 7S, Porter's 5 Forces, SWOT, BCG Matrix, 3C, 4P, Value Chain, PESTEL, Ansoff, GE-McKinsey, Blue Ocean, VRIO, Porter's Generic Strategies | [strategy.md](strategy.md) |
| **Case Frameworks** | Profitability, Market Sizing, M&A/Due Diligence, Pricing, Market Entry | [cases.md](cases.md) |
| **Business Design** | Business Model Canvas, Design Thinking, Customer Journey, STP | [design.md](design.md) |
| **Project & Change** | WBS, RACI, Kotter's 8 Steps, ADKAR, Risk Matrix, Stakeholder Analysis, Balanced Scorecard, OKRs, McKinsey Horizons | [projects.md](projects.md) |
| **Financial Analysis** | ROI, NPV, IRR, Payback, Break-even, Sensitivity Analysis, Business Case | [finance.md](finance.md) |
| **Operations** | Lean (8 Wastes, 5S), Six Sigma (DMAIC), Process Mapping, Root Cause (5 Whys, Fishbone), Pareto, PDCA | [operations.md](operations.md) |

## Quick Framework Selection

### "I need to solve a complex problem"
→ **McKinsey 7-Step Process** + **MECE** + **Issue Tree**
See: [problem-solving.md](problem-solving.md)

### "I need to structure a presentation"
→ **Pyramid Principle** + **SCQ** + **Storyboarding**
See: [problem-solving.md](problem-solving.md)

### "I need to analyze a company or market"
→ **PESTEL** (macro) + **Porter's 5 Forces** (industry) + **SWOT** (company) + **3C** (positioning)
See: [strategy.md](strategy.md)

### "I need to evaluate growth options"
→ **Ansoff Matrix** + **GE-McKinsey Matrix** + **BCG Matrix**
See: [strategy.md](strategy.md)

### "I need to create a new strategy"
→ **Blue Ocean** + **VRIO** + **Porter's Generic Strategies**
See: [strategy.md](strategy.md)

### "Why are profits declining?"
→ **Profitability Framework** (Revenue × Volume breakdown)
See: [cases.md](cases.md)

### "How big is this market?"
→ **Market Sizing** (Top-down + Bottom-up)
See: [cases.md](cases.md)

### "Should we acquire this company?"
→ **M&A Framework** + **Due Diligence** + **Synergy Analysis**
See: [cases.md](cases.md)

### "What price should we set?"
→ **Pricing Framework** (Cost-plus, Value-based, Competitive)
See: [cases.md](cases.md)

### "Should we enter this market?"
→ **Market Entry Framework** + **Porter's 5 Forces** + **Profitability**
See: [cases.md](cases.md)

### "I'm designing a new product or business"
→ **Business Model Canvas** + **Design Thinking** + **Customer Journey**
See: [design.md](design.md)

### "I'm managing a project"
→ **WBS** + **RACI** + **Risk Matrix** + **Stakeholder Analysis**
See: [projects.md](projects.md)

### "I'm driving organizational change"
→ **Kotter's 8 Steps** + **ADKAR** + **Stakeholder Analysis**
See: [projects.md](projects.md)

### "I need to set goals and measure performance"
→ **OKRs** + **Balanced Scorecard** + **KPIs**
See: [projects.md](projects.md)

### "I need to make an investment decision"
→ **NPV** + **IRR** + **Payback** + **Sensitivity Analysis**
See: [finance.md](finance.md)

### "I need to improve operations"
→ **Process Mapping** + **Root Cause Analysis** + **Lean** + **Six Sigma**
See: [operations.md](operations.md)

## The Complete Consulting Flow

```
1. RECEIVE PROBLEM
   └── Clarify scope and success criteria
              ↓
2. CREATE DAY-1 ANSWER
   └── Initial hypothesis based on experience
              ↓
3. DEFINE PROBLEM (SCQ)
   └── Situation, Complication, Question
              ↓
4. STRUCTURE (MECE + Issue Tree)
   └── Break into testable components
              ↓
5. PRIORITIZE (80/20)
   └── Focus on high-impact branches
              ↓
6. BUILD WORKPLAN
   └── Who, what, when, how
              ↓
7. STORYBOARD (Ghostpack)
   └── Design the end deliverable
              ↓
8. CONDUCT ANALYSES
   └── Test hypotheses with data
              ↓
9. SYNTHESIZE ("So What?")
   └── Extract insights and implications
              ↓
10. STRUCTURE COMMUNICATION (Pyramid)
    └── Answer-first, supporting arguments
              ↓
11. PRESENT & DELIVER
    └── Communicate, get approval, implement
```

## Framework Combinations

### Strategic Planning
```
PESTEL → Porter's 5 Forces → 3C → SWOT → Issue Tree → Recommendations
```

### New Market Entry
```
Market Sizing → Porter's 5 Forces → 3C → Market Entry Framework → Financial Analysis
```

### M&A Evaluation
```
Strategic Rationale → Target Analysis → Due Diligence → Synergies → Valuation → Integration Plan
```

### Business Turnaround
```
Profitability Analysis → Root Cause → Value Chain → Cost Reduction → Quick Wins → Transformation Roadmap
```

### Product Launch
```
Market Sizing → STP → Business Model Canvas → Pricing → Go-to-Market → OKRs
```

### Transformation Program
```
Current State → Gap Analysis → Kotter's 8 Steps → WBS → RACI → Balanced Scorecard
```

## Available Templates

See [templates/](templates/) for ready-to-use documents:
- SWOT Analysis Report
- Business Model Canvas
- Business Case Template
- Project Charter
- RACI Matrix

## Framework Index (Alphabetical)

| Framework | Category | Primary Use |
|-----------|----------|-------------|
| 3C Framework | Strategic | Competitive positioning |
| 4P Marketing Mix | Strategic | Marketing strategy |
| 5 Whys | Operations | Root cause analysis |
| 5S | Operations | Workplace organization |
| 80/20 Rule | Problem-Solving | Prioritization |
| ADKAR | Change | Individual change management |
| Ansoff Matrix | Strategic | Growth strategy |
| Balanced Scorecard | Execution | Strategy measurement |
| BCG Matrix | Strategic | Portfolio management |
| Blue Ocean Strategy | Strategic | Market creation |
| Business Model Canvas | Design | Business model design |
| Customer Journey | Design | Customer experience |
| Design Thinking | Design | Innovation process |
| DMAIC | Operations | Process improvement |
| Due Diligence | Case | M&A evaluation |
| Fishbone Diagram | Operations | Root cause analysis |
| GE-McKinsey Matrix | Strategic | Portfolio prioritization |
| Hypothesis Tree | Problem-Solving | Testing theories |
| Issue Tree | Problem-Solving | Problem decomposition |
| Kotter's 8 Steps | Change | Organizational change |
| Lean / 8 Wastes | Operations | Waste elimination |
| M&A Framework | Case | Acquisition evaluation |
| Market Entry | Case | New market decisions |
| Market Sizing | Case | Opportunity sizing |
| McKinsey 7-Step | Problem-Solving | Problem-solving process |
| McKinsey 7S | Strategic | Organizational analysis |
| McKinsey Horizons | Execution | Growth portfolio |
| MECE | Problem-Solving | Structuring |
| NPV/IRR/ROI | Financial | Investment analysis |
| OKRs | Execution | Goal setting |
| Pareto Analysis | Operations | Prioritization |
| PDCA Cycle | Operations | Continuous improvement |
| PESTEL | Strategic | Macro environment |
| Porter's 5 Forces | Strategic | Industry analysis |
| Porter's Generic Strategies | Strategic | Competitive strategy |
| Pricing Framework | Case | Price setting |
| Process Mapping | Operations | Workflow visualization |
| Profitability Framework | Case | Profit analysis |
| Pyramid Principle | Problem-Solving | Communication |
| RACI Matrix | Project | Role clarity |
| Risk Matrix | Project | Risk prioritization |
| SCQ | Problem-Solving | Storytelling |
| Sensitivity Analysis | Financial | Risk assessment |
| Six Sigma | Operations | Quality improvement |
| Stakeholder Analysis | Project | Stakeholder management |
| Storyboarding | Problem-Solving | Presentation planning |
| STP | Design | Market targeting |
| SWOT Analysis | Strategic | Situation assessment |
| Value Chain | Strategic | Activity analysis |
| VRIO | Strategic | Resource advantage |
| WBS | Project | Work decomposition |