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Consulting Approach to Problem Solving (Udemy.com)

Solving business problems and business cases using hypothesis-based problem solving - method of top consulting firms

4.5

49,243 reviews

Created by: Piotr Gawlicki

Last updated March 2021

Our take

Based on the ratings of 49,243 students, a sample of their written reviews and the syllabus, as the course stood in March 2021. No course pays to be reviewed.

Piotr Gawlicki's course is a short primer on hypothesis-based problem solving, the approach top consulting firms use. It runs about 91 minutes over 18 lectures and seven sections, and the sections follow the method itself: formulate the problem, structure it, prioritize and plan the work, then communicate the answer. The audience list is wide, from case interview applicants to managers and entrepreneurs, but it is really a first pass. The material was last updated in March 2021, though a thinking framework like this does not date much.

Reviewers like the structure and the clear explanations. One says the presenter does a fantastic job explaining the "why" behind each technique, and another likes the push to look for root causes before jumping to a solution. The complaints are consistent too. The instructor's video window covers the slides, especially on a phone, and two of the low ratings are about exactly that. Others say it stays on the surface with no concrete real-world example, or that the jargon moves fast. One reviewer finds it too reductionist for messy, interdependent problems.

More than 116,000 students have enrolled, and roughly 42,000 of the 49,000 or so ratings are four or five stars. That makes it a safe, quick introduction. It is paid, but short enough to finish in an evening. Treat it as the vocabulary and the skeleton, then practice on real cases elsewhere. Anyone who wants depth or live examples should expect to look beyond it.

Best forCase interview applicants and new analysts who want the consulting method laid out in four clear steps.

Skip it ifYou want worked real-world cases or hard practice; some reviewers call it surface level with few examples.

Pros

Four steps from problem formulation to communicating the answer give a clear skeleton
Explains the reasoning behind each technique, not just the jargon, per reviewers
Short enough to finish in one sitting at about 91 minutes with 5 quizzes
Pushes finding root causes before proposing a solution, a habit reviewers value

Cons

Instructor video overlaps the slides, worst on phones, and two low ratings mention it
Reviewers call it surface level, with few concrete real-world examples
Last updated in 2021, and jargon like MECE can move fast for newcomers

The lesson is very structured with informative content, and the instructor presented the lesson with clarity, with examples and easy to follow.

Chantha Kim, a student

Listed for all levels. Fits true beginners, though basic business knowledge helps and one reviewer found the jargon fast.

What you will learn

You will understand and appreciate the problem solving technique used by the top consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, Bain and Strategy&
At the same time you will get acquainted with how business and consulting projects ought to be structured
You will master the basic knowledge on hypothesis-based problem solving that will let you proceed to more advanced courses on solving business problems
In effect, you will be able to impress either your boss or your interlocutors at business case interviews

Course content

7 sections · 18 lectures · 1.5 hours of video 5 quizzes, 2 articles

1How is this course structured 1 free preview1 lecture · 2 min
2Introduction to structured problem solving4 lectures · 1 quiz · 20 min
3Step I - Problem formulation 1 free preview2 lectures · 1 quiz · 10 min
4Step II - Problem structuring 1 free preview4 lectures · 1 quiz · 30 min
5Step III - Work prioritization and planning3 lectures · 1 quiz · 15 min
6Step IV - Communicating the solution2 lectures · 1 quiz · 9 min
7Wrap-up 1 free preview2 lectures · 4 min

Who it is for

The instructor says it suits

Applicants to consulting firms studying for case interviews
Junior analysts and consultants starting their consulting career
Entrepreneurs starting their adventure with business
Managers, project managers and project team members who solve business problems in their workplace
Students (especially those attending business schools)
Everyone interested in learning a problem solving technique used by the top consulting firms

What you need before you start

This course is designed to be an introduction to the topic and no prior knowledge nor experience is required. Nevertheless, an understanding of the basic principles that govern business organizations will let you grasp the concepts I present here quicker.

How it compares

Against the other 1,210 rated Udemy courses in Business on CourseDuck:

Rating4.5 out of 5higher than 46% of them
Reviews49,243#10 of 1,211 by number of reviews
Length1.5 hoursshorter than 77% of them
Last updatedMarch 2021earlier than 86% of them

Course Description

Do you feel that you already know all possible frameworks of business problem solving (Porter's five forces, the BCG-matrix etc.), yet you are still not confident in using them? Or maybe you already took a course on management consulting problem solving approach, but the jargon used didn't make much practical sense to you (The 80/20 rule, MECE etc.)? Whether you're a student studying for case interviews or a businessperson, what you might be lacking is a comprehensive aproach to problem solving that generates consistent results.

If so, this course is for you! I can guarantee you will not find another such comprehensive introductory course on hypothesis-based problem solving - the top consulting firms' technique of choice on all kinds of business consulting engagements.

With the content in this course I would like to introduce you to the topic of business problem solving. Provided you find this introduction helpful, I would be delighted to welcome you to my more advanced courses that I intend to publish soon. They will build on the knowledge from this course in order to develop further the topics covered here.

But for now let's jump into this course. Hit Enroll and let me show you a way to become a rising star of problem solving in business!

All Levels

Time: 1.5h

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Instructor Details

Piotr Gawlicki

4.5 Rating
49,243 Reviews

Hi, my name is Piotr. Firstly, thank you for your interest in my courses.

Throughout my lectures I want to inspire you to solve your business problems in a thoughtful and structured way. Whether you are a student contemplating starting a career in management or consulting, an entrepreneur or an employee of any kind of business - I will explain to you a framework for business problem solving.

I will share with you my experience and perspectives of a business and technology consultant for leading global consulting firms, an entrepreneur, and a university lecturer.

Before switching to business and consutling I studied engineering at Imperial College in London and ETH in Zurich and philosophy at LSE.

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Reviews

4.5

49,243 ratings on Udemy

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Write a review

By Edward Engelbert Moreno Martinez on 9/7/2026

Great content! Specially the vision of a structured way for solving problems instead the typical approach of going directly from the problem to the solution without a previous analysis about the possible root cause.

By Abhishek Surana on 8/17/2026

Its really a good to have learnings to get updated on each and every aspect of the organisation and busniess.

By Corbin Stack on 8/3/2026

Despite not having official training, I've already used a lot of these techniques in my own career. This course however is a great way of putting all the key methods together and the presenter does a fantastic job explaining the "why" behind it all. Definitely worth doing, no matter your career or level of experience.

By Chantha Kim on 7/1/2026

The lesson is very structured with informative content, and the instructor presented the lesson with clarity, with examples and easy to follow.

By Rema C T on 6/22/2026

It provides a fresh perspective on thinking and approaching problems in a systematic manner. This technique is highly useful not only in official or project-related contexts but also in personal situations. Thanks.

By Prithvijit - Ext Roy on 6/18/2026

hard to keep up without going back several times, jargon and level of communication presented by the facilitator might not match the expectations or speed required for some learners.

By Anonymized User on 4/8/2026

Would be great to have a more advanced series on problem-solving, going beyond consulting fundamentals like MECE and hypothesis-building!

By Ahmed Syed on 3/22/2026

This course matches well with my work experience, as I regularly need to analyze issues, identify root causes, and provide effective solutions in mh role. It is helping me develop a more structured and professional approach to problem solving and decision making.

By Alison Wong on 3/9/2026

Reinforces our agile approach. Great reference for all members of a solution-delivering crew - helps with understanding of why we do what we do, how we do it, and even when we do it.

By Laura Alejandra Alvarado Meléndez on 1/7/2026

Excelente manejo del tema, la moderación de la voz me pareció muy adecuada y toca los temas principales con un buen resumen con lo que nunca se hace aburrido.

By Fernando Olivares on 11/15/2020