Public sector and non-profit cases often feel different from classic business scenarios—but they still require clear structure, data-driven thinking, and actionable recommendations. Instead of maximizing profit, these cases typically focus on maximizing impact under constraints.
In this article, you’ll learn how to approach mission-driven cases by balancing feasibility, effectiveness, and stakeholder alignment.
1. Clarify the Mission and Objective
“Our client is a non-profit that provides after-school tutoring in rural areas. They want to expand their reach without compromising quality. What’s the best strategy?”
Be clear on what success looks like:
- More users served?
- Improved outcomes (e.g., test scores, health impact)?
- Cost-effectiveness?
Unlike business cases, you may be optimizing for social return on investment, not dollars.
2. Use an Adapted Framework
A classic MECE approach might include:
- Needs & Target Impact: Who is the population served and how do we help them?
- Delivery Model: How is the service provided?
- Resources & Capacity: Do we have the people, funding, and infrastructure?
- Feasibility & Risks: What are potential obstacles or constraints?
3. Understand the Beneficiary and Their Needs
This replaces “customer segmentation” in many public cases:
- Who are we trying to serve?
- What specific outcome do they need (access, education, safety)?
- What prevents them from getting it today?
“We aim to reach students with limited internet access. That may shape whether we expand digitally or via local centers.”
4. Evaluate Delivery Model Options
Ask how the intervention currently works, and whether it can scale:
- Is the model staff-intensive or volunteer-based?
- Are there digital or hybrid options?
- Can we partner with other organizations to extend reach?
Public sector cases often involve designing pilots, phasing rollouts, or choosing between geographic locations.
5. Analyze Constraints and Risks
Feasibility matters. Common constraints include:
- Budget (often fixed or grant-based)
- Staffing limitations
- Government regulation or political influence
- Community acceptance or alignment
“We could double impact with a digital platform—but many students lack smartphones. We may need to subsidize access.”
6. Recommend a Path Forward
Structure your recommendation with two goals:
- Maximize impact: Reach more people or improve quality
- Stay realistic: Work within constraints and show how to implement
“I recommend piloting a mobile tutoring program in three communities with the lowest infrastructure cost, while measuring academic improvement before scaling further.”
Final Thoughts
Public and non-profit cases may not involve traditional business metrics, but they still require clarity, logic, and focus. Great candidates show empathy for the mission, but structure their analysis like any other case—with strong hypotheses, numbers, and prioritization.
Make your thinking clear, your recommendation focused, and your impact measurable.