The Infosys Techno-Functional Playbook
A preparatory guide for the Associate Consultant role (DNA, SAP & Oracle).
The Core Role: What Infosys is Looking For
Across all three JDs, Infosys is not hiring just a "coder" or just a "talker." They are hiring a **hybrid techno-functional consultant**. Your primary mission is to be the bridge between complex business problems and the technical solutions that solve them.
1. Problem Definition & Diagnosis
You won't just be given tasks. You'll be expected to conduct research, help define the client's *actual* problem, and diagnose the root cause.
2. Solution Generation & Design
You will be part of the team that designs the "to-be" process, creates functional design documents, and helps generate the final solution.
The 3 Consulting Tracks: Find Your Fit
While the core consulting skills are the same, the technical domains are distinct. Understand where your skills and interests align.
The "Data" Track: DNA (Data & Analytics)
This track is for those who love turning raw data into strategic insights. You'll help clients unleash the potential of their data.
Your Focus: Helping clients with Data Strategy, Data Governance, Data Management, and building BI solutions.
Key Technologies: This is all about the data stack. You'll be working with reporting tools, dashboards, ETL processes, and data modeling.
Prep Focus: Be ready to discuss data fundamentals. Practice a "dashboard case" (e.g., "Design a BI dashboard for a retail sales manager").
The "Process (SAP)" Track: ESAP
This track is for those who want to re-engineer the core of a business. You'll use SAP's powerful platform to transform how a global company operates.
Your Focus: Business process transformation. You'll help clients streamline functions like finance, operations, and supply chain using SAP applications.
Key Frameworks: The JD mentions operational frameworks like ITIL, COBIT, Six Sigma, and CMM. You must be able-to speak the language of process excellence.
Prep Focus: Be ready to discuss a core business process (like "Order-to-Cash") and how a tool like SAP improves it.
The "Process (Oracle)" Track: ORC
Similar to SAP, this track focuses on enterprise transformation, but using the broad Oracle ecosystem (including Oracle Cloud, PeopleSoft, Hyperion, etc.).
Your Focus: Implementing business functions (Supply Chain, HR, Finance) on Oracle products. This is also a "techno-functional" role.
Key Technologies: Oracle E-Biz Suite, Oracle SaaS, PeopleSoft, Hyperion. This track has a heavy emphasis on Cloud implementation.
Prep Focus: Be ready to discuss the benefits of moving to a cloud-based system (e.g., "Why should a client move their HR from on-premise PeopleSoft to Oracle SaaS?").
Behavioral Prep: The "Consulting Skills" Toolkit
All three JDs list the same core skills. You MUST have STAR-method stories ready to prove them. This is how you show your "consulting" and "client interfacing" abilities.
Practice Prompt:
"Tell me about a time you faced a complex, unstructured problem. What steps did you take to understand the *real* issue and how did you go about developing a solution?"
Your story must showcase a logical, structured process: how you diagnosed the problem *before* you jumped to a solution.
Practice Prompt:
"Describe a situation where you had to present a complex idea to a client or stakeholder who was not an expert. How did you ensure they understood the concept and its implications?"
This is your "Bridge" story. Focus on how you translated technical jargon into business value.
Practice Prompt:
"Walk me through a core business process you are familiar with (e.g., Order-to-Cash, Procure-to-Pay). What are the key steps, and where are the common bottlenecks or areas for improvement?"
Pick one process from your MBA studies or prior work and master it. This shows you have the "domain knowledge" they require.
Situational Cases & Guesstimates
Be prepared for short, practical cases that test your techno-functional judgment.
The Prompt:
"A client's sales dashboard shows revenue is down 10%, but marketing spend is up 20%. The client wants you to 'fix the dashboard.' What are your first steps?"
Your Framework:
- **Diagnose the *Real* Problem:** The dashboard isn't broken; the *business* is. My first step is to diagnose *why* the metrics are moving in the wrong direction.
- **Formulate Hypotheses:** 1) Is the marketing spend ineffective? 2) Are the wrong channels being used? 3) Is there a data issue (e.g., sales are not being attributed correctly)?
- **Drill Down:** I would ask to analyze the data *behind* the dashboard: marketing spend by channel vs. sales by channel, customer acquisition cost (CAC), and conversion rates. The goal is to find the root cause, not just rebuild the chart.
The Prompt:
"You are 3 months into a large SAP S/4HANA (or Oracle Cloud) implementation. The Head of the Finance department in Germany is refusing to adopt the new global standard process, saying 'our old way is better.' This threatens the entire project. What do you do?"
Your Framework:
- Listen & Understand (Empathy):** My first step is to meet with the Finance Head. I would listen to understand *why* they are resistant. Do they have a valid legal/regulatory reason? Do they feel their team wasn't consulted?
- Re-center on Value (Data):** Instead of arguing, I would show the data. I'd present a side-by-side comparison of the old process vs. the new one, highlighting the quantified benefits (e.g., faster month-end close, automated reporting).
- **Co-create & Escalate (Collaboration):** I would try to find a "win-win." Can we incorporate 80% of their needs into the new standard? If they still refuse, I would document their concerns and escalate the risk to the project steering committee, framing it as a business decision, not an IT problem.
The Prompt:
"Estimate the annual market size for Cloud Migration services in India."
Your Framework:
- Clarify & Segment: "Are we talking about all businesses, or just enterprise-level? Let's focus on enterprise (e.g., 500+ employees)." Segment by company size: Large, Medium.
- **Estimate Companies:** Estimate the number of companies in each segment (e.g., ~2,000 large, ~10,000 medium).
- **Estimate Adoption:** Assume a % of these companies undertake a migration project each year (e.g., 20% of large, 10% of medium).
- **Estimate Deal Size: Assume an average project cost for each segment (e.g., ₹2 Cr for large, ₹50L for medium).
- **Calculate:** (2,000 * 20% * ₹2 Cr) + (10,000 * 10% * ₹50L) = Total Market.
Your Final Preparation Checklist
Use this list in the final days before your interview.
- Be the "Techno-Functional Bridge": Have your TMAY and STAR stories ready to prove you can connect business problems to technical solutions.
- Know Your Track: Be able to clearly articulate "Why DNA?" or "Why SAP?" or "Why Oracle?" based on your background and interests.
- Master One Business Process: Be ready to walk the interviewer through "Order-to-Cash" or "Procure-to-Pay" from start to finish.
- Practice "Bridge" Stories: Have specific examples of explaining technical concepts to business users (and vice-versa).
- Be Fluent in "Consulting Speak": Use the JDs' keywords: "problem definition," "solution generation," "stakeholder management," "value-add."
- Prepare Insightful Questions: Ask about the "unit-level initiatives," how they manage knowledge ("BOKs"), or the biggest challenges in a specific track.
Final Tips: How to Win
Remember these three principles during your interview.
Be the "Techno-Functional" Leader
Constantly connect technology to business impact. How does this solution save costs? How does it drive revenue? This is your key differentiator.
Show Proactive Leadership
Show you are a proactive self-starter who creates structure and defines problems, not someone who just waits for detailed instructions.
Think Commercially
Whether you are in DNA, SAP, or Oracle, your role is to help clients improve their business. Let your business acumen and client-focus shine.