Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

McKinsey's Ecosystem Solve game - would starting an ecosystem, then realizing halfway through that there are red flags and adjusting by removing species and changing group, negatively impact the process score?

5
200+
12
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Hagen
Coach
edited on Jan 07, 2025
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your situation:

  • First of all, it should depend, of course, on whether the "red flags" you mentioned could have been spotted earlier and/or whether a different subset of species would have been the better option at first glance. If you chose the best option at first glance and it still turned out to be a dead end, I do not think it would negatively affect your score, as it would be the most logical way. Otherwise, it most likely would.
  • Moreover, however, no one knows for sure, and it is kind of pointless to think about it.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming McKinsey pre-interview assessment and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

on Jan 04, 2025
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Q: Would starting an ecosystem, then realizing halfway through that there are red flags and adjusting by removing species and changing group, negatively impact the process score?

Possibly yes, if there were signals that the original chain would not have worked from the start. However, it doesn’t really matter, because if the chain doesn’t work, the only option you have is to fix it.

Good luck!

Francesco

Alessa
Coach
on Jan 05, 2025
xMcKinsey & Company | xBCG | +200 individual & group coachings | feel free to schedule a 15 min intro call for free

Hey!

From my experience, in the Ecosystem Solve game, it’s important to adapt to the data as it becomes available, especially when you spot red flags. Starting an ecosystem and then realizing midway that there are issues (e.g., species causing instability) is a normal part of problem-solving. Making adjustments such as removing species and altering groupings can be a good strategy if it helps align the ecosystem with the desired outcomes. However, the key is how well you execute the changes—if you’re making logical, data-driven decisions to optimize the ecosystem rather than just reacting impulsively, it should not negatively impact your process score. McKinsey values strategic thinking and adaptability, so as long as your adjustments are purposeful and grounded in the data, you shouldn’t worry about a penalty. Just ensure that your final ecosystem is stable and aligns with the broader objectives.

Good luck! Alessa

Thabang
Coach
on Jan 08, 2025
Ex-McKinsey Consultant | McKinsey Top Coach & Interviewer | Special Offer: Buy 1 Session Get 1 Free (Limited time!)

Hey there,

Whilst it may, you'd rather have an impacted process score whilst getting the correct answer rather than not adjusting and getting the wrong one. 

All the best

Florian
Coach
on Jan 30, 2025
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

Likely not as you demonstrate adaptability, which is one of the traits evaluated by the game.

All the best,

Florian

Similar Questions
Consulting
McKinsey PEI
10 hrs ago
Global
7
1.6k
Top answer by
Deleted user
57
7 Answers
1.6k Views
+4
Consulting
How stringent is the initial CV screening? And does everyone get invited to sit McKinsey Solve?
on Apr 08, 2024
Global
6
4.6k
Top answer by
Alessa
Coach
xMcKinsey & Company | xBCG | +200 individual & group coachings | feel free to schedule a 15 min intro call for free
124
6 Answers
4.6k Views
+3
Consulting
MBB in Dubai
on Apr 23, 2024
Global
6
2.6k
Top answer by
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
52
6 Answers
2.6k Views
+3
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely
Thanks for your feedback! Your opinion helps us make PrepLounge even better.