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Cut 15% of costs without saying where: the impossible budget

Tagliare il 15% dei costi senza dire dove: il budget impossibile · Finance · Beginner

The case

The group imposes a 15% operating cost cut on your subsidiary by next fiscal year, with no guidance on where. The three function heads responded by each protecting their own turf: the submitted proposals add up to a 4% cut, made almost entirely of symbolic items. You know 15% is only achievable by touching one of three sacred cows: the underused second historic site, the oversized spare parts warehouse, or outsourcing internal logistics. Each has a patron on the executive committee. How do you land the budget?

Il gruppo impone alla tua filiale un taglio del 15% dei costi operativi entro il prossimo esercizio, senza indicazioni su dove. I tre capi funzione hanno risposto proteggendo ciascuno il proprio territorio: le proposte arrivate sommano un taglio del 4%, fatto quasi solo di voci simboliche. Tu sai che il 15% è raggiungibile solo toccando una delle tre vacche sacre: la seconda sede storica sottoutilizzata, il magazzino ricambi sovradimensionato o l'esternalizzazione della logistica interna. Ognuna ha un padrino nel comitato di direzione. Come porti a casa il budget?

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Frequently asked questions

What is the "Cut 15% of costs without saying where: the impossible budget" problem-solving case on Grace?

It is a expert-level Finance case based on a real workplace situation. You read the problem, write how you would solve it in free text, and Grace's AI judges whether your solution actually works — or what is still uncovered.

Who is this case for?

Anyone who wants to train structured problem solving: managers, professionals and candidates preparing for case interviews in Finance. The expert difficulty makes it an accessible starting point.

Can I retry if my solution doesn't solve the case?

Yes. The feedback tells you what remains uncovered — without revealing the solution — so you can strengthen your plan and try again. After you solve it, 6 more Finance cases are waiting.

How much XP is this case worth?

Solving a expert case earns up to 80 XP on the first successful solution. Failed attempts and repeat solutions earn much less — the reward is for cracking it.

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