Interviewer view · keep this screen to yourself

Can a low-cost plant win a distant city?

You run the case. Read the prompt, answer questions from the notes below, and share data only when the candidate asks for it or gets stuck. Score at the end.

Case timer

00:00

Target length:

1. Read the prompt aloud

Read it slowly, then pause. Let the candidate ask questions before they structure.

Plant A (fictional) has a cash cost of USD 45 per tonne at the gate. Plant B, owned by a rival, has a cash cost of USD 52 but sits 20 kilometres from City Two, which is 350 kilometres from Plant A. Road freight costs about USD 0.10 per tonne per kilometre. Which plant has the lower delivered cost to City Two, and by how much? All figures are illustrative.

2. Answers to clarifying questions

This case has no scripted clarifying answers. Answer from the prompt, and say "assume what you think is reasonable" if the prompt does not cover it.

3. A model structure

Compare the candidate's structure with this one. A different split can be just as good if it is clean and fits the problem.

Delivered cost = gate cost + freight per tonne per km x distance
- Plant A: 45 + 0.10 x 350
- Plant B: 52 + 0.10 x 20

4. The working, step by step

Each step shows how a strong candidate works it out. Share a new fact from it only when the candidate asks or is stuck, and let them do the math: the result in the dark box is what they should reach.

Step 1: Plant A delivered
What a strong candidate does: Gate cost 45 plus 350 km of freight.
Plant A delivered cost (USD per tonne): 45 + 0.1 × 350 = 80
Step 2: Plant B delivered
What a strong candidate does: Gate cost 52 plus 20 km of freight.
Plant B delivered cost (USD per tonne): 52 + 0.1 × 20 = 54
Step 3: Gap
What a strong candidate does: How much more Plant A pays to reach City Two.
Delivered cost gap (USD per tonne): (45 + 0.1 × 350) - (52 + 0.1 × 20) = 26
Step 4: Break-even distance
What a strong candidate does: How far Plant A can ship before its USD 7 gate advantage is used up, against a rival at the customer's door.
Distance where the gate advantage is used up (km): (52 - 45) ÷ 0.1 = 70

The recommendation to listen for

At the end, say: "The CEO walks in. What is your recommendation?"

Plant A should not try to win City Two by road, because its delivered cost is about USD 26 a tonne higher than Plant B's, even though its gate cost is USD 7 lower. First, 350 kilometres of road freight adds USD 35 a tonne. Second, this means Plant A's cost advantage only lasts for about 70 kilometres beyond a rival's door. The risk is that cheaper rail or sea freight changes the answer. As a next step, check whether a rail link or a grinding unit near City Two would cut the delivered cost.

Risks a strong answer names: Rail and sea freight are much cheaper per tonne-kilometre than road, so a coastal plant can reach far cities; A rival may price below its full cost to keep its kiln full.

Score the candidate

Score each criterion from 1 to 5. A 2 or a 4 sits between the descriptions.

This case has no exhibit. Score Exhibit reading on how the candidate used the data you gave them: did they pick out the number that matters and say what it means?

Structuring

1: No clear structure, or a memorized framework that does not fit the problem.
3: A sensible structure, but with some overlap, a gap, or no clear priority.
5: A structure built for this problem, with no overlap and no gaps, a stated hypothesis, and a clear first step.

Math

1: Frequent errors, no units, or needed heavy help to finish.
3: Right answers but slow or messy working, or one error caught late.
5: Accurate and clearly narrated, with units, a sense check, and what the number means.

Exhibit reading

1: Read the chart aloud without finding the number that matters.
3: Found the key number but gave only part of the so-what.
5: Pulled the right number quickly and said what it means for the case.

Synthesis

1: Summarized what was done, with no clear answer.
3: Gave an answer, but with weak reasons or no next step.
5: Answer first, then two or three reasons with numbers, the main risk, and next steps.

Communication

1: Hard to follow: long silences, no signposting.
3: Clear most of the time, with some rambling.
5: Calm and concise, signposted each step, and checked in with the interviewer.

Total

0 out of 25

Score all five criteria to see the band and the feedback template.

Next: another case in Partner mode

Swap roles and run the next case, so you both practise answering and scoring.

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