McKinsey Sustainable Futures Lab
The 20-minute judgement module in the McKinsey Solve Game, also called SFL. Not every candidate sees it; your invite duration tells you whether it is in scope.
SFL practice in the Solve Games Guide simulator
What is McKinsey Sustainable Futures Lab?
Sustainable Futures Lab (SFL) is the behavioural module in Solve. You work through consulting-style scenarios: ranking priorities, weighing trade-offs, and keeping your reasoning consistent as new information appears.
Unlike Redrock and Sea Wolf, SFL is not a calculation exercise. Judgment and stakeholder awareness matter more than formulas.
Will you see SFL?
Trust your invitation email. A 65-minute invite usually means Redrock plus Sea Wolf. An 85-minute invite usually adds SFL (20 minutes) after them.
SFL is on a phased rollout. Candidate reports suggest it appears more often in some regions than others. The McKinsey Solve Game hub covers the full sequence.
Format: 20 minutes, 13 questions
SFL is scenario-based judgement, not numerical optimisation. Most prompts have no single perfect answer. McKinsey scores how you reason through trade-offs.
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1
Mission briefing
Read the team and project context carefully. It sets constraints and priorities you will reuse across later questions.
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2
Opening ranking
Drag-and-drop prioritisation of objectives or action items. There is rarely a single perfect order; consistency of criteria matters.
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3
Branching decisions
Multiple-choice as the scenario evolves. New information appears progressively; earlier choices influence later ones.
Three practice traits
McKinsey does not publish an official SFL rubric. These three traits are the shared language we use in practice, not a claim about McKinsey’s internal labels.
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Prioritisation
Identifying what matters most when objectives compete and time is limited, including the opening ranking and ongoing trade-offs.
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Working with ambiguity
Moving forward when information is incomplete or shifting, without treating the module as a calculation exercise.
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Teamwork and stakeholders
Noticing how decisions land with different groups: inclusion, friction, and alignment when multiple voices are in play.
How to prepare
Run at least one timed 20-minute scenario so pacing matches test day. If prep time is tight, Redrock and Sea Wolf still deserve most of it. SFL needs less specialised drilling. More detail lives in the SFL strategy guide.
McKinsey Sustainable Futures Lab FAQ
Whether you will see SFL, what it tests, and how to practice.
What is the McKinsey Sustainable Futures Lab?
The Sustainable Futures Lab (SFL) is a 20-minute scenario-based judgement module in the McKinsey Solve Game. It evaluates prioritisation, trade-offs, and consistent reasoning, not numerical optimisation like Redrock or Sea Wolf.
Will I see SFL in my assessment?
Check the total time in your invitation email. A 65-minute invite usually means Redrock and Sea Wolf only. An 85-minute invite usually adds SFL. SFL is on a phased rollout; not every candidate receives it.
Is SFL the same as a situational judgement test?
It shares traits with SJTs but is not identical. SFL uses multi-step, interconnected scenarios where earlier decisions influence later ones. Traditional SJTs often present independent questions.
How hard is SFL compared to Redrock and Sea Wolf?
Most candidates find SFL the most intuitive of the three. It does not require Redrock maths or Sea Wolf constraint logic. Maintaining consistent criteria across branching decisions is the real challenge.
Can I practice McKinsey SFL for free?
McKinsey does not publish a practice version. Solve Games Guide includes one free SFL scenario with the same 20-minute, 13-question flow. No credit card.
Choose Your Package
Select the package that fits your preparation needs. All packages include 2-week access.
You only get one attempt at the McKinsey Solve Games. This costs less than a single interview coaching session, and prepares you for the actual filter.
The 3 hour prep
Three-hour prep for candidates who want one Redrock case per template, two Sustainable Futures Lab missions, and the Sea Wolf solver.
- Sea Wolf Solver
- 5 Redrock case studies
- 2 Sustainable Futures Lab Missions
- 2-week access
Redrock Cases
20+ Redrock case studies with interactive simulation interface, detailed feedback, and analytics.
- 20+ full-length Redrock case studies
- Interactive Interface
- Detailed Feedback & Analytics
- 2-week access
Seawolf Bundle
Complete Seawolf training with simulator, solver, and unlimited practice.
- Seawolf Simulator
- Seawolf Solver (Phases 3 & 4)
- 2-week access
- Unlimited Practice Sessions
Practice McKinsey SFL
One free timed scenario. Same 20-minute mission rhythm as the assessment.
