Claude for Consulting: Frameworks, Slides, and Deliverables That Ship

<task>Break down this business problem using MECE principles</task> <problem>[paste problem statement]</problem> <context>[industry, company, situation]</context> <output> 1. Restate the core question precisely 2. MECE tree decomposition (3-5 levels deep) 3. Per branch: assumption being made, how to validate 4. Which branches are highest leverage for impact 5. Which branches can be deprioritized 6. Synthesized "so what" hypothesis per major branch </output>

<task>Build a hypothesis tree and validation plan</task> <problem>[describe]</problem> <output> 1. Root hypothesis (the big bet) 2. Supporting sub-hypotheses (3-5) 3. Per sub-hypothesis: what data/evidence would confirm or refute 4. Data sources (internal data, external research, expert interviews, surveys) 5. Effort estimate per data-gathering activity 6. Prioritized investigation sequence 7. Quick-wins vs deep-dives </output>

<task>Crack this case in 30 minutes</task> <case>[paste case description]</case> <output> 1. 60-second restatement of the problem 2. Clarifying questions you'd ask (3-5) 3. Structure (MECE) for the analysis 4. Per branch: 2-3 data points needed 5. Likely conclusion given typical case answers 6. Recommendation with 2nd-order implications </output>

<task>Size [market] using both top-down and bottom-up methodology</task> <market>[describe]</market> <output> Top-down: - Global/national total relevant spending - % of that going to this category - Growth rate - Our reachable portion Bottom-up: - Unit count × price × frequency - Per-segment calculation - Sum + validation Triangulation: - Compare results - Explain discrepancies - Final estimate with confidence range - Key assumptions that could shift estimate </output>

<task>Apply both 5 Whys and Fishbone to this problem</task> <problem>[describe]</problem> <output> 5 Whys: - Sequential cascade of why questions - Identify the root cause(s) Fishbone (6M categories): - Man (people) - Method (process) - Machine (tools/tech) - Material (inputs) - Measurement (metrics) - Milieu (environment) Synthesis: - Top 3 root causes - Interdependencies - Highest leverage interventions </output>

<task>Build a pyramid principle storyline</task> <conclusion>[the answer we want to deliver]</conclusion> <supporting_data>[paste key findings]</supporting_data> <output> 1. Governing thought (1 sentence — the "so what") 2. 3 supporting arguments (each MECE) 3. Per argument: 2-3 evidence points 4. Anticipated objections + responses 5. Storyline as a sequence of slides (not a wall of text) 6. Appendix content (what to move off the main deck) </output>

<task>Write an executive summary for this work product</task> <full_content>[paste or describe]</full_content> <audience>[who will read — CEO, board, ops leader]</audience> <output> - 1-page max - Opening: the core "so what" in 2 sentences - 3 supporting points with evidence - Top 2 recommendations with decision required - Risks / open questions - Suggested next step Tone: plain business English. No jargon. No hedging.

<task>Build a slide-by-slide outline for [deck purpose]</task> <audience>[who]</audience> <key_findings>[describe]</key_findings> <slide_count>[target]</slide_count> <output> Per slide: 1. Headline (action title — tells the point) 2. Supporting visual type (chart, matrix, framework, image) 3. Body content outline 4. Connection to previous slide (narrative flow) 5. Speaker notes Plus: overall storyline arc and pacing review.

<task>Write a presentation script for [deck]</task> <deck_outline>[paste or describe]</deck_outline> <time>[minutes]</time> <audience>[describe]</audience> <output> - Per slide: what to say (conversational, not read-aloud of slide) - Transitions between slides - Questions to anticipate (3-5) and prepared answers - Where to pause for client input - Opening hook + closing call-to-action </output>

<task>Draft a consulting proposal</task> <client>[describe]</client> <problem>[describe]</problem> <our_approach>[describe]</our_approach> <output> 1. Executive summary 2. Our understanding of the problem (demonstrates listening) 3. Proposed approach (phased workstreams) 4. Deliverables per phase 5. Timeline + milestones 6. Team + roles 7. Fees + payment structure 8. Why us (brief credentials) 9. Next steps Tone: confident, client-centric.

<task>Build an expert interview guide</task> <topic>[describe]</topic> <expert_type>[industry veteran, executive, customer, etc.]</expert_type> <time>[minutes]</time> <output> - Opening + warmup - Background/credentialing questions - Core questions by theme (3-4 themes) - Follow-up probes per question - Challenge questions (test conflicting hypotheses) - Closing (ask for referrals, remaining resources) - Time budget per section </output>

<task>Design a survey for [purpose]</task> <audience>[describe]</audience> <decisions_supported>[what decisions this informs]</decisions_supported> <output> 1. Survey instrument (specific questions in order) 2. Question types (multiple choice, scale, open-ended) 3. Logic branching rules 4. Length target (optimal: 5-7 min) 5. Required sample size for statistical validity 6. Distribution channels 7. Expected response rate + incentive plan 8. Data analysis plan BEFORE launching </output>

<task>Build a competitive benchmarking analysis</task> <our_company>[describe]</our_company> <competitors>[list]</competitors> <dimensions>[what to benchmark — revenue per employee, margins, time-to-market, etc.]</dimensions> <output> 1. Comparable metrics table across competitors 2. Data sources per metric 3. Our position relative to each competitor 4. Performance gaps (strengths + weaknesses) 5. Root causes of significant gaps 6. Realistic performance targets 7. Strategic implications </output>

<task>Run combined SWOT + PESTLE on [business]</task> <business>[describe]</business> <output> PESTLE: - Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental - External factors affecting business SWOT (internal): - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities (external from PESTLE), Threats (external from PESTLE) Integration: - Which PESTLE factors create biggest opportunities - Which create biggest threats - How our internal S/W position us for these - Top 3 strategic priorities from integrated view </output>

<task>Synthesize insights from multiple expert interviews</task> <transcripts>[paste or describe]</transcripts> <output> 1. Themes that emerged across interviews (with frequency) 2. Contradictions between interviewees (interesting tensions) 3. Consensus views vs minority opinions 4. Surprising insights that reframe the problem 5. Quotable excerpts for client deliverables 6. Remaining questions to explore 7. Synthesized top-line insights </output>