When Fortune 500 companies face a mission-critical problem—whether it's entering a new market, restructuring a division, or navigating a crisis—they often turn to strategy consultants.

Why?

Not necessarily because consultants are smarter or know more about the industry. The real reason is simpler: they have a systematic way of solving complex problems—and most companies don’t.

That methodology, often referred to as the consulting approach to problem solving (CAPS), is the engine behind firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. And it’s the intellectual foundation of Canvalytic.

What Is the Consulting Approach to Problem Solving?

The consulting approach is a rigorous, repeatable process for breaking down complex problems, analyzing them deeply, and building evidence-based recommendations.

It’s built on principles from:

• Classical logic (Aristotle)
• Scientific reasoning (Descartes)
• And decades of refinement through real-world consulting cases

At the core of the method is a deceptively simple idea: disaggregate the problem into logical parts, analyze each part, and synthesize the findings into insight.

The 7-Step Problem Solving Process

Here’s a simplified version of the CAPS framework, as described in Bulletproof Problem Solving and other classics:

1. Define the problem: Nail the problem definition, scope, and success criteria.
2. Disaggregate: Break it down with a logic tree—either an issue tree or hypothesis tree.
3. Prioritize: Focus on the most important or uncertain branches.
4. Build a workplan: Assign tasks, set deadlines, and start digging.
5. Conduct analyses: Research, model, interview, test.
6. Synthesize insights: Pull together what you’ve learned into conclusions.
7. Communicate findings: Structure your message (often with the Minto Pyramid) and persuade stakeholders.

At every stage, the process encourages clarity, logic, collaboration, and iteration.

Logic Trees: The Core Tool

The primary tool of CAPS is the logic tree—a visual structure that forces clarity and drives team alignment.

• Issue trees explore the full space of possible causes or solutions to a problem.
• Hypothesis trees test a claim by breaking it into sub-hypotheses and supporting evidence.

Together, they allow teams to reason systematically from symptoms to root causes, or from claims to conclusions. Think of them as maps for your problem-solving journey.

Why It Works

Consultants swear by this method because it’s:

• Rigorously logical: Every conclusion is backed by structured reasoning and evidence.
• Collaborative: Teams work in parallel but stay aligned through the shared map.
• Efficient: You can prioritize high-impact issues and avoid wasting time.
• Flexible: Works across industries—from digital strategy to public health.

How Canvalytic Brings It to Life

At Canvalytic, we’ve taken this powerful methodology and turned it into software.

Our app combines:

• A Miro-style canvas for building logic trees
• Collaborative docs for writing and storing analysis
• A project management layer to assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress

The result is a complete platform for solving complex problems with the same tools and mindset used by the world’s top consultants.

Whether you're at a startup, consulting firm, or corporate innovation team, Descartes helps you work like McKinsey—without the price tag.

Why This Matters

We live in a world of complexity—fast-moving markets, uncertain data, and constant change. In this environment, smart companies don’t guess. They reason.

The consulting approach to problem solving is one of the most effective ways to bring clarity to complexity. And with Canvalytic, it’s easier than ever to put it into practice.

Want to see how this method works in your organization? and bring the consulting approach to your team’s workflow.