Operations

Operations cases challenge you to improve efficiency, streamline processes, or solve supply chain problems. You will analyze workflows, identify bottlenecks, and propose operational improvements to reduce costs or increase throughput.

Total Cases: 70
Companies: 5
Easy 4 Medium 57 Hard 9
McKinsey
Medium

Curling and Careers

Operations Capacity Planning Non-Profit

Your client is Curling & Careers (C&C), the New York City chapter of a national non-profit organization. The non-profit aims to provide disadvantaged …

15 min
NYU
50
Medium

Diamonds are Forever

Market Entry M&A Diamond Mining

Your client, Forever Diamond, has been in the diamond industry for over 50 years. To date, all of their mining initiatives have been in Central and …

15 min
Queen's
50
Medium

Health Coaches

Profitability Operations Healthcare

Our client is a large national healthcare payer (health insurance company, think Aetna) exploring the launch of a new disease management ('DM') …

15 min
Kellogg
50
BCG
Medium

Katrina

Non-traditional Operations Non-profit

Our client is a school district in New Orleans that has been completely devastated by Hurricane Katrina. After the hurricane, they saw most of their …

15 min
Chicago Booth
50
Medium

Maxicure

Profitability Operations Manufacturing

Your client, Maxicure, manufactures and sells an over-the-counter cough and cold medicine. Their sole plant in Kentucky is aging, and its increasing …

15 min
Darden
50
Medium

Money Bank Call Center

Cost Reduction Operations Legal & Professional Services

Our client is a large financial services firm with multiple locations around the world. Part of their service offering includes a 24-hour helpline. …

15 min
Kellogg
50
Medium

Mustard Clinic

Profitability Cost Reduction Healthcare

Your client is the CEO of the Mustard Clinic, a for-profit hospital in the United States. The hospital is known primarily for its leading care for …

15 min
Kellogg
50
Medium

Orrington Office Supplies

Profitability Operations Engineering & Construction

Our client, Orrington Office Supplies (OOS) is a leading manufacturer of office products in 1992, with sales of $275m in 1991. They have strong …

15 min
Kellogg
50
BCG
Hard

Skylight Goods

Profitability Operations Industrial Goods

Our client, Skylight Goods, is a $12B industrial goods manufacturer. They have various divisions and the division they are working with makes pressure …

15 min
Chicago Booth
50
McKinsey
Medium

Sourcing the Sauce

Operations Supply Chain Restaurant

Our client is the CEO of the fast-food chain Hot Indian. Hot Indian brings in $3B in annual revenues around the U.S., with locations in most major …

15 min
Darden
50
BCG
Medium

Steel Co.

Cost Saving Operations Industrial Goods

Our client is a steel manufacturing company in the Netherlands. They are considering investing in an advanced analytics tool that will help them …

15 min
NYU
50
Medium

Sticky Surfactants

Profitability Operations Chemicals

Your client, CavalierChem, is a global chemicals manufacturer. CavalierChem recently acquired a manufacturing facility that makes surfactants as part …

15 min
Darden
50
Medium

Tactole

Profitability Operations Agriculture & Food

Your client is Tacotle, a leading national fast casual restaurant with $420m in revenue in 2019. Over the five years proceeding 2019, Tacotle has …

15 min
Kellogg
50
Medium

UPS in Italy

Operations Optimization Mining

Your client is a startup in a small village in Italy that provides the local delivery of packages sent to this village through UPS's next-day-delivery …

15 min
UCLA
50
Medium

Wildcat Wings

Opportunity Assessment Operations Transportation & Logistics

Our client is Wildcat Wings, the third largest airline in the United States by passengers carried. This week, the CEO flew with our primary …

15 min
Kellogg
50
Medium

A-Plus School District

Operations Performance Improvement Education

Your client is A-Plus School District (APSD), a large public school district in the Southeast United States. A-Plus' superintendent has been concerned …

15 min
Duke
50
Medium

Bank Loan Operations

Profitability Operations Financial Services

Your client is a bank that is considering changing their loan issuing operation to a new system. They would like you to evaluate the pros and cons of …

15 min
Cornell
50
McKinsey
Hard

Beta Optics

Comparison Capital Investment Healthcare (Ops)

Beta Optics is a U.S.-based mid-size prescription eyeglass lens manufacturer. Due to the pandemic their revenues dropped by 30% in 2020 as far fewer …

15 min
PeterK
50
Medium

Butcher Shop

Operations Profitability Food & Beverage

A fast food chain recently bought a bovine meat-processing outlet to supply it with fresh hamburgers and other meets. The shop process is: cows enter …

15 min
Harvard
50
Medium

Crunch Time at ChipCo.

Operations Root Cause Analysis Food and Beverage

Your client is Bryant, a Plant Director at ChipCo., a global tortilla chip producer. While sales are strong, the North Carolina-based plant that …

15 min
Darden
50
Kearney
Medium

Discount Retailer

Profitability Operations Retail

Your client is a clothing retailer that specializes in discount fashion (think of brands like Old Navy and Kohl's). The company operates exclusively …

15 min
Cornell
50
McKinsey
Hard

Fertilizer Company

Comparison Capital Allocation Agriculture

Fertilizer Company is a U.S.-based fertilizer manufacturer that produces 1.5M tons of nitrogen, phosphatic and potash fertilizer annually. They have …

15 min
PeterK
50
Easy

Made to Measure

Business Improvement Operations Manufacturing

Our client owns a designer shoe-store that makes high end made-to-measure shoes for customers. The high-quality product has gained popularity rapidly …

15 min
NYU
50
Medium

Maxicure

Profitability Operations Manufacturing

Your client, Maxicure, manufactures and sells an over-the-counter cough and cold medicine. Their sole plant in Kentucky is aging, and its increasing …

15 min
Darden
50
BCG
Hard

Mickey Tires

Comparison Cost Optimization Consumer Products

Mickey Tires is a U.S.-based tire manufacturer. In 2020 their sales shrank by 10% due to the pandemic-related drop in car mileage as states were …

15 min
PeterK
50
Medium

Nutters of Savile Row

Operations Retail & CPG

Our client is Nutters of Savile Row, a legendary tailoring business that opened in 1969. At the height of its fame, Nutters dressed Mick Jagger, …

15 min
Tuck
50
Medium

Pedal Pals

Profitability Cost Improvement Technology

Pedal Pals is an interactive fitness platform with millions of members, offering connected, technology-enabled fitness classes that utilize its …

15 min
Darden
50
Medium

Roll'n Grind

Operations Manufacturing

Your client is Roll 'n Grind (RNG), a manufacturing company that specializes in industrial roll grinding and servicing. The company prides itself on …

15 min
Duke
50
Medium

Sardine Airlines

Profitability Cost Reduction Transportation

Sardine Airlines is an ultra low-cost carrier with flights throughout the continental United States. They have hub airports in Oakland, California; …

15 min
Duke
50
Medium

ShipTech Wrecked

Profitability Operations Transportation

Your client is ShipTech, a shipping company that specializes in ground transportation in the United States. ShipTech has experienced decreasing …

15 min
Duke
50
Medium

Snow Big Deal

Opportunity Assessment Operations Transportation & Logistics

Our client is the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NH DOT), a state government entity that strives to provide "safe and secure mobility and …

15 min
Tuck
50
McKinsey
Medium

Sourcing the Sauce

Operations Sourcing Restaurant

Our client is the CEO of the fast-food chain Hot Indian. Hot Indian brings in $3B in annual revenues around the U.S., with locations in most major …

15 min
Darden
50
Medium

Sticky Surfactants

Profitability Operations Chemicals

Your client, CavalierChem, is a global chemicals manufacturer. CavalierChem recently acquired a manufacturing facility that makes surfactants as part …

15 min
Darden
50
Medium

Sticky Surfactants

Profitability M&A Chemicals

Your client, CavalierChem, is a global chemicals manufacturer. CavalierChem recently acquired a manufacturing facility that makes surfactants as part …

15 min
Darden
50
Medium

The English Church

Profitability Operations Religious Services

Assume you are the new pastor of a rural English church in the late nineteenth century. Over the last three years, attendance has been declining. Your …

15 min
Harvard
50
Medium

To Automate or Not

Operations Capital Investment Logistics

After returning from a trade show, the CEO of a large grocery distribution center calls you. He enthusiastically describes a new technology which …

15 min
Darden
50
Medium

UN Polio

Operations Strategy Government/Public Sector

Your client is the United Nations, who have hired you to help them with their fight to eradicate polio. They're struggling with two related problems: …

15 min
Cornell
50
Medium

African Gold Mines Co.

Profitability Operations Mining

African Gold Mines Co. (AGM) is a junior gold producer with one open-pit mine currently in production in Cameroon. The mine was established 10 years …

15 min
IESE
50
McKinsey
Medium

Benjamin Carpet

Profitability Capital Investment Industrials

Your client is the family owner of a company that serves residential and commercial markets and operates 5 days/week and 16 hours/day. The owner is …

15 min
Cornell
50
Medium

BizAvi Company

Product Launch Operations Aviation

Due to recent downturn in the Brazilian economy, BizAvi Company is currently seeking to diversify its portfolio of products and improve profitability. …

15 min
IESE
50
Hard

Cowbon Emissions

Environmental Sustainability Cost Optimization Agriculture

Our client is a major milk producer in New Cowland, Milking it Co., MIC. New Cowland has recently introduced a law that means MIC has to reduce its …

15 min
IESE
50
Medium

Crunch Yo’ Burger

Profitability Operations Food service

You are the CEO of a large multinational fast food chain. In recent years, you have noticed that your profitability in the US has been lagging behind …

15 min
IESE
50
Medium

Fungicide

Profitability Operations Industrial Products

Funguy Corporation is a small producer and wholesaler of agricultural fungicides. After a yearly financial review, they find one of their proprietary …

15 min
NYU
50
Medium

Ganbei

Profitability Operations FMCG

Your client, Salford Breweries, is a medium sized brewer who has recently experienced sales growth in the Chinese market. While this is excellent …

15 min
IESE
50
Medium

Grab your popcorn

Profitability Operations Entertainment

Our client, Cinematron, is the largest movie theatre operator in Wonderland with 40% market share (by box office). After a tough period of COVID, when …

15 min
IESE
50
Bain
Medium

Instant coffee pod producer

Profitability Operations Comparison

Brew Co produces instant coffee makers and coffee pods. A large hotel chain wants to have their machines in the rooms but would like to have …

15 min
PeterK
50
Medium

JoinTech

Operations Manufacturing

JoinTech, a German automotive supplier for engineered joining technology, is in backlog with its cash cow product group. Customer satisfaction is …

15 min
IESE
50
Medium

Marie's Café

Profitability Operations Food

Marie's Café is a small local coffee shop that serves coffee. Marie's has been around for decades and is known for its high quality drinks and cozy …

15 min
ROSS
50
Medium

Marie's Café

Profitability Operations Food

Marie's Café is a small local coffee shop that serves coffee. Marie's has been around for decades and is known for its high quality drinks and cozy …

15 min
ROSS
50
Medium

Movin’ on Out: Local Co. Clothing

Offshoring Cost Reduction Clothing

Local Co. is a clothing company based in Los Angeles, California. Known for beachy chic sandals, t-shirts, and beach accessories, Local Co. management …

15 min
Pennsylvania
50
BCG
Medium

Snack food company

Operations Make vs Buy Comparison

A snack food company hires a contractor to distribute their products (e.g. cookies, crackers). They would like to bring distribution in-house and hire …

15 min
PeterK
50
BCG
Medium

Steel Co.

Cost Saving Operations Industrial Goods

Our client is a steel manufacturing company in the Netherlands. They are considering investing in an advanced analytics tool that will help them …

15 min
NYU
50
Medium

Thirsty for Rain

Cost Reduction Operations Maritime and Logistics

The Panama Canal is one of the most important maritime routes in the world. The canal serves around 144 trade routes that represent about 3% of world …

15 min
IESE
50
Bain
Medium

Toothpaste Manufacturer

Operations Cost Analysis CPG

Our client is a major toothpaste manufacturer based in the United States that serves the US market. Our client wants to lower costs and is considering …

15 min
Cornell
50
Medium

WolverineHomes

Profitability Risk Analysis Real Estate & Energy

WolverineHomes owns and manages over 200 single-family homes in the Ann Arbor, Ypsi, and Jackson areas. Recently, severe weather events have caused …

15 min
ROSS
50
Medium

Zulu-Lemon

Cost Reduction Profitability CPG

Our client is a major US fitness apparel manufacturer that has recently lost market share due to rising costs. Due to lower margin and company …

15 min
ROSS
50
Medium

Erween Mills

Operations Profitability Manufacturing

Your client, Erween Mills, is a palm oil mill based out of Guatemala. The mill is facing profitability problems for the past couple of years. Erween …

15 min
Duke
50
BCG
Hard

Green Chips, Clean Chips

Operations Sustainability Technology

Your client, Chip Co., is a manufacturer of semiconductors. While chips help the world in energy efficiency and electrification, the manufacturing …

15 min
Duke
50
Kearney
Easy

Bumpers R Us

Operations Transportation

Your client is Bumpers-R-Us, a manufacturer of plastic automotive bumpers. Bumpers-R-Us is a Tier-1 supplier for a major global OEM called CNW and is …

15 min
Duke
50
Kearney
Easy

Bumpers R Us

Operations Manufacturing

Your client is Bumpers-R-Us, a manufacturer of plastic automotive bumpers. Bumpers-R-Us is a Tier-1 supplier for a major global OEM called CNW and is …

15 min
Duke
50
BCG
Medium

Fasten your Seatbelts

Operations Customer Experience Travel

Our client, Fort North International Airport has seen a 40% increase in passenger complaints on its feedback portal over the past 6 months. The …

15 min
Duke
50
BCG
Medium

New Rubber Plant Investment

Profitability Capital Investment Industrial

The federal government of a foreign country is investigating whether to reopen a rubber factory in a western part of the country. The factory was …

15 min
Darden
50
Easy

Pedal Pals

Cost Improvement Profitability Technology

Pedal Pals is an interactive fitness platform with millions of members, offering connected, technology-enabled fitness classes that utilize its …

15 min
Darden
50
BCG
Medium

Biopharma Outsourcing

Outsourcing Cost Reduction Pharmaceuticals

The client, Genome Bio, is a national biopharma manufacturer of the largest life-saving medicines for diseases and manufactures bio-materials in the …

15 min
Wharton
50
Hard

Pressing Parts Problems

Operations Cost Reduction Industrial Goods

Our client is a small auto-parts manufacturer (Name: APM Co.) with roughly $350M in revenue and operations on two continents. The company has …

15 min
ROSS
50
McKinsey
Medium

Maxicure

Profitability Operations Healthcare

Your client, Maxicure, manufactures and sells an over-the-counter cough and cold medicine. Their sole plant in Kentucky is aging, and its increasing …

15 min
Darden
50
Kearney
Medium

North-South Pharma

Profitability Market Sizing Healthcare

North-South Pharma Co is a US-based pharmaceutical manufacturer. The company owns a plant in the United States that is active in serving US customers …

15 min
Darden
50
BCG
Hard

To Automate or Not

Operations Cost Analysis Retail

After returning from a trade show, the CEO of a large grocery distribution center calls you. He enthusiastically describes a new technology which …

15 min
Darden
50
McKinsey
Medium

Alpha Aviation

Profitability Growth Strategy Aviation

Your client is a large US-based commercial airline that has lost profitability and market share. The company is under pressure to regain its foothold …

15 min
Darden
50
Hard

High Engineer Attrition at SLS Oil Gas Services

Operations General Management Oil & Gas Services

Our client SLS is one of the world’s largest oil and gas services provider operating in 85 countries and employing about 100,000 people from over 140 …

15 min
Wharton
50

Internal Process Flow

  • Process mapping: document end-to-end workflows from input to output, identify bottlenecks and constraints, evaluate capacity utilization rates, measure cycle time and turnaround times, and analyze throughput relative to demand
  • Resource management: assess labor force capabilities (skills, scheduling, productivity), equipment performance (downtime, maintenance, automation opportunities), materials supply reliability, and facility layout optimization
  • Cost structure: analyze unit economics and identify waste, scrap, and defect rates

External Factors

  • Supplier relationships: evaluate supplier reliability and identify alternative suppliers
  • Supply consistency: assess raw material availability and sourcing quality
  • Environmental considerations: evaluate supplier environmental practices
  • Strategic alignment: ensure suppliers align with organizational mission
  • Pricing: monitor supplier cost competitiveness
  • Logistics considerations: determine make-or-buy decisions for logistics, measure facility utilization rates, and plan excess demand management strategies

Competitor Benchmarking

  • Quality metrics: compare defect rates, product returns, customer complaints, and lead times achieved, and on-time delivery performance
  • KPI comparison: measure throughput rates, equipment utilization percentages, and overall equipment effectiveness