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Case Study for interview

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Hello everyone,

I recently interviewed for a Process Excellence Manager role. After clearing the first round, I was given a case study and asked to solve the problem using the Six Sigma methodology.

I prepared and submitted my presentation, but the recruiter’s feedback was that I had not done what was asked.

I’d like to share the case study details and my submitted work here to get your input:

  • What could be improved in my approach?

  • Were there any gaps in applying the Six Sigma methodology correctly?

  • Any suggestions for structuring the response more effectively for future opportunities?

 

 

I’d greatly appreciate your honest feedback so I can improve my problem-solving approach for such assignments.

Thank you in advance

Driving_PEX.pptx Process Excellence Case Study.pdf

  • 3 months later...

1. Alignment With the Case Study Requirements

Gap: The response did not use the DMAIC framework or any structured methodology (Define–Measure–Analyze–Improve–Control). It appears more like a consulting proposal than a method-driven Process Excellence solution.


2. Completeness and Depth of Solution

A. Vendor PR to PO Automation – Gaps

  • No root-cause analysis of existing PR/PO delays, data issues, or vendor compliance problems.

  • No acknowledgement of process variation across warehouses, which the case explicitly highlights.

  • No mapping of the current workflow to identify failure points.

B. GRN Process Reengineering – Gaps

  • Does not account for differences across warehouses and dark stores.

  • No plan for SOP rollout, change management, or training.

  • No reference to typical GRN error types (mismatch, damages, lost-in-transit) or bottleneck analysis.

C. Route Optimization & Delivery Planning – Gaps

  • No analysis of existing routing failures.

  • Key constraints not considered (vehicle capacity, SLAs, cut-off times, replenishment patterns).

  • No linkage to inventory movement or demand variability.

D. Process Digitization & Control Tower – Gaps

  • No clarity on control tower architecture (layers, data flows, integration boundaries).

  • No discussion of governance, alert mechanisms, or exception-handling.


3. Use of Key Tools & Methodologies

The case clearly called for Lean/Six Sigma (DMAIC), SOP design, ERP/SCM customization, and dashboarding.
Assessment: The response did not demonstrate DMAIC or structured problem-solving.
Impact: This reduces methodological rigor and makes the response appear like a high-level consulting pitch rather than a Process Excellence case solution.


4. Expected Success Metrics

What the candidate included:

  • PR–PO cycle time reduction

  • GRN accuracy improvement

  • Routing cost reduction

  • OTD improvement

  • Fewer vendor disputes

Gaps:

  • No baseline values vs. targets.

  • No justification for chosen metrics.

  • Several numbers seem generic or overly optimistic (e.g., 99.5% GRN accuracy).

  • No ROI or cost–benefit assessment.


5. Structure, Communication & Professionalism

Strengths:

  • Clean, professional deck.

  • Good logical flow (Challenges → Approach → Pillars → Roadmap → Metrics).

  • Easy to read visually.

Gaps:

  • Looks like a generic consulting proposal, not a case-specific analysis.

  • No process maps, “as-is vs. to-be” comparison, or data-driven diagnosis.

  • Too high-level for a Process Excellence role.


6. Comparison Against Real Interview Expectations

A strong candidate would typically:
✔ Conduct root-cause analysis (Value Stream Map, SIPOC, CTQs)
✔ Apply DMAIC clearly
✔ Address warehouse-level variations
✔ Break down PR–PO, GRN, and routing workflows
✔ Provide a location-wise transformation approach
✔ Highlight risks, dependencies, and change management

The submitted response is polished but generic, lacking the analytical depth expected from an Operations Excellence professional.

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