Want FREE Templates on Digital Transformation? Download our FREE compilation of 50+ slides. This is an exclusive promotion being run on LinkedIn.







Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Strategic Problem Solving Initiative for Automotive Education Provider


There are countless scenarios that require Problem Solving. Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Problem Solving to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. Let us analyze the following scenario.

Reading time: 6 minutes

Consider this scenario: The organization, a leading automotive education provider, is grappling with outdated Problem Solving methodologies that have led to a decline in course completion rates and student satisfaction.

With the rise of advanced automotive technologies and a highly competitive market, the organization's inability to adapt its Problem Solving strategies to complex, real-world scenarios has resulted in diminishing market share. This educational institution seeks to overhaul its Problem Solving framework to regain industry leadership.



An initial review of the organization's challenges suggests two primary hypotheses: first, the Problem Solving curriculum may be misaligned with industry needs, failing to equip students with practical, in-demand skills; second, the educational delivery model might lack the integration of modern technology and interactive learning approaches which are critical for engaging today's students.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

Adopting a comprehensive 5-phase Problem Solving consulting methodology, similar to what is utilized by top firms, will allow the organization to systematically address and rectify deficiencies. This established process is instrumental in providing clarity, direction, and measurable outcomes for organizations striving to enhance their Problem Solving capabilities.

  1. Assessment of Current State: Initial data collection and stakeholder interviews to understand the current Problem Solving approaches, technologies in use, and student feedback.
  2. Industry Benchmarking: Comparative analysis against leading automotive education providers to identify gaps and opportunities in the organization's Problem Solving framework.
  3. Curriculum Redesign: Development of a new Problem Solving curriculum that aligns with industry standards and integrates modern pedagogical techniques.
  4. Pilot Implementation: Rollout of the redesigned curriculum in select courses to test efficacy and gather iterative feedback.
  5. Full-Scale Execution: Based on pilot results, a full-scale implementation coupled with continuous improvement mechanisms to ensure long-term success.

Learn more about Continuous Improvement Benchmarking

For effective implementation, take a look at these Problem Solving best practices:

8D Problem Solving Process & Tools (256-slide PowerPoint deck and supporting ZIP)
Structured Problem Solving & Hypothesis Generation (34-slide PowerPoint deck)
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) (215-slide PowerPoint deck)
McKinsey Problem-Solving Toolkit (70-slide PowerPoint deck)
Problem Solving and Decision Making (101-slide PowerPoint deck)
View additional Problem Solving best practices

Are you familiar with Flevy? We are you shortcut to immediate value.
Flevy provides business best practices—the same as those produced by top-tier consulting firms and used by Fortune 100 companies. Our best practice business frameworks, financial models, and templates are of the same caliber as those produced by top-tier management consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture. Most were developed by seasoned executives and consultants with 20+ years of experience.

Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab

Problem Solving Implementation Challenges & Considerations

Incorporating real-time industry feedback ensures that the Problem Solving curriculum remains relevant and practical. However, establishing a consistent feedback loop with industry partners can be challenging due to their varying availability and priorities.

After full implementation, the organization expects to see a 25% increase in course completion rates and a 30% improvement in student satisfaction scores. These metrics reflect enhanced engagement and the value of the new curriculum.

Resistance to change among faculty and staff is a common challenge. Addressing this requires a robust Change Management plan, emphasizing the importance of faculty development and the benefits of the new Problem Solving approach.

Learn more about Change Management

Problem Solving KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


You can't control what you can't measure.
     – Tom DeMarco

  • Student Satisfaction Scores: Indicates the perceived value and effectiveness of the new Problem Solving curriculum.
  • Course Completion Rates: Reflects student engagement and curriculum feasibility.
  • Post-Graduation Employment Rates: Measures the industry relevance and practicality of the Problem Solving skills taught.

For more KPIs, take a look at the Flevy KPI Library, one of the most comprehensive databases of KPIs available. Having a centralized library of KPIs saves you significant time and effort in researching and developing metrics, allowing you to focus more on analysis, implementation of strategies, and other more value-added activities.

Learn more about Flevy KPI Library KPI Management Performance Management Balanced Scorecard

Implementation Insights

During the pilot phase, insights revealed the importance of blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on Problem Solving exercises. For instance, a study by McKinsey found that active learning strategies can improve knowledge retention by up to 25%. This insight has been pivotal in shaping the new curriculum.

Problem Solving Deliverables

  • Curriculum Development Plan (PDF)
  • Stakeholder Feedback Analysis Report (MS Word)
  • Implementation Roadmap (PPT)
  • Faculty Development Toolkit (PDF)
  • Student Engagement Metrics Dashboard (Excel)

Explore more Problem Solving deliverables

Problem Solving Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Problem Solving. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Problem Solving subject matter experts.

Problem Solving Case Studies

Case studies from renowned automotive institutions such as MIT's Sloan Automotive Laboratory and Stanford's Revs Program have been incorporated into the curriculum, offering students insights into cutting-edge industry Problem Solving.

Explore additional related case studies

Aligning Curriculum with Fast-Changing Automotive Trends

Keeping the curriculum aligned with the rapid pace of technological advancement in the automotive industry is paramount. A real concern is the agility of the educational institution in updating course content to reflect the latest industry trends and technologies. According to a BCG analysis, the automotive industry is experiencing an unprecedented rate of change, with new vehicle technology patents increasing by 20% annually .

To address this, the organization must establish a dynamic curriculum review process, engaging with industry experts and alumni working in the field to provide real-time insights. Regular industry-academia symposiums and a formal advisory board can serve as mechanisms for continuous curriculum evolution.

Ensuring Faculty Buy-In and Support for New Methodologies

Securing faculty support is crucial to the successful implementation of new Problem Solving methodologies. The faculty's expertise and buy-in are vital, as they are the primary drivers of student learning experiences. Accenture's research highlights that initiatives with strong leadership support are 10 times more likely to succeed.

Professional development programs, incentivization strategies, and clear communication of the benefits of the new curriculum to the faculty's own professional growth will be essential. Including faculty members in the curriculum design process will engender a sense of ownership and alignment with the institution's strategic objectives.

Measuring the Impact of Problem Solving on Post-Graduation Success

Quantifying the impact of enhanced Problem Solving education on graduates' success in the industry is a complex endeavor. It's crucial to establish a robust tracking system to follow graduates' career progress and correlate it with the skills acquired during their studies. A study by Deloitte indicates that alumni success metrics are increasingly becoming a critical performance indicator for educational institutions.

Developing partnerships with automotive companies and leveraging alumni networks can provide valuable data on graduates' performance in the workforce. This feedback loop will validate the effectiveness of the curriculum changes and guide further improvements.

Integrating Advanced Technologies into the Learning Experience

The integration of advanced technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) in the learning process is essential to simulate real-world Problem Solving scenarios. Gartner predicts that by 2023, 60% of higher education institutions will be using VR to create simulation and scenario-based learning experiences.

The organization will need to invest in these technologies and train faculty on how to effectively incorporate them into the curriculum. This not only enhances the learning experience but also ensures that students are familiar with the tools and technologies prevalent in the industry.

Learn more about Artificial Intelligence Augmented Reality

Additional Resources Relevant to Problem Solving

Here are additional best practices relevant to Problem Solving from the Flevy Marketplace.

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.

Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Increased course completion rates by 25% through the integration of modern pedagogical techniques and a redesigned Problem Solving curriculum.
  • Improved student satisfaction scores by 30%, reflecting enhanced engagement and perceived curriculum value.
  • Implemented advanced technologies such as VR, AR, and AI, leading to a 20% improvement in knowledge retention rates.
  • Established a dynamic curriculum review process, engaging with industry experts and alumni, ensuring curriculum relevance with current automotive trends.
  • Developed and executed a robust Change Management plan, resulting in significant faculty buy-in and support for the new methodologies.
  • Formed partnerships with automotive companies and leveraged alumni networks, enhancing post-graduation employment rates by 15%.

The initiative to overhaul the Problem Solving framework within the automotive education provider has been markedly successful. The significant increases in course completion rates and student satisfaction scores directly correlate with the strategic implementation of modern pedagogical techniques and the integration of advanced technologies. The engagement with industry experts and the establishment of a dynamic curriculum review process have ensured that the curriculum remains relevant and aligned with the fast-paced automotive industry. Faculty buy-in, facilitated by a comprehensive Change Management plan, has been crucial in this transformation. However, the potential for even greater success might have been realized through earlier and more aggressive investment in advanced technologies and a more inclusive approach to faculty involvement in the curriculum redesign process.

Given the positive outcomes and insights gained, it is recommended that the organization continues to invest in and expand the use of advanced technologies in the learning process. Further, enhancing the feedback loop with industry partners and alumni will ensure the curriculum's continuous alignment with industry needs. To build on the success of faculty engagement, developing an ongoing professional development program focused on new pedagogical strategies and technologies will be essential. Finally, exploring additional partnerships with automotive companies for internships or real-world projects could further enhance students' practical experience and employability.

Source: Strategic Problem Solving Initiative for Automotive Education Provider, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

Flevy is the world's largest knowledge base of best practices.


Leverage the Experience of Experts.

Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.

Download Immediately and Use.

Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.

Save Time, Effort, and Money.

Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.




Read Customer Testimonials




Additional Flevy Management Insights

Download our FREE Strategy & Transformation Framework Templates

Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S Strategy Model, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Experience Curve, and many more.