The Unusual Tea Party: When Algorithms Crashed the Consulting Scene

Consulting, much like a frenzied game of 5D chess, often finds sparks of genius in the most curious places.

Firdaus Adib
3 min readMay 21, 2023

Today, let’s don our virtual top hats and monocles, and dive into a rather peculiar tea party — one hosted by a pair of algorithms known as Breadth-First Search (BFS) and Depth-First Search (DFS).

Imagine the scene: algorithms sipping tea, discussing effective ways to problem-solve. Sounds like sci-fi, right? Let’s decode this zany concept and how it applies to consulting in plain, human-speak.

The BFS technique is akin to playing an elaborate game of Clue, perusing every room before moving onto the next. It offers us the gift of perspective, looking far and wide before making critical decisions.

Conversely, DFS feels more like an Indiana Jones adventure, fearlessly diving deep into an uncharted cavern before swinging to the next. It equips us with the power to scrutinize a single option, understanding its every crevice and corner.

XKCD 2407: Depth and Breadth. Not that Bread.

By inviting BFS and DFS to our consulting tea party, we can develop a problem-solving approach that’s as wide as it is deep. We can scoop information from a plethora of sources like BFS, while also diving deep into specific areas like a DFS scuba-diver in a sea of data.

Join us on this whimsical journey as we draw wisdom from BFS and DFS, navigating the labyrinth of consulting and unearthing innovative solutions.

BFS Algorithm: The Life of the Tea Party

Imagine BFS as the charismatic socialite at the tea party, fluttering around gathering gossip, but, you know, in a useful, consulting way.

Sipping All the Tea

BFS doesn’t discriminate. Like a social butterfly, it sips from every teacup it can find, ensuring no perspective is left untasted. We’re looking at the whole tea party here, each guest, each whisper.

Tea Time Chatter

BFS is all about lively banter. Think of it as the tea party equivalent of generating hypotheses — you want to cover all bases, making sure no mysterious guest goes unnoticed.

Choosing Your Cuppa

BFS also plays the role of an exquisite tea connoisseur, choosing the right flavors and aromas. It helps us evaluate and prioritize hypotheses, ensuring we opt for the most tantalizing and suitable ones.

DFS Algorithm: The Intrepid Tea Taster

The DFS algorithm, on the other hand, is like the tea party guest who focuses on one teapot at a time, savoring every sip before moving onto the next enticing brew.

Relishing Each Sip

DFS is all about savoring the distinct flavors of each tea. It’s the algorithmic equivalent of taking a deep dive into a single option, basking in its intricate details and hidden potential.

Perfecting the Brew

DFS is your tea-tweaking guru, constantly adjusting the brewing time to get that perfect cup. It challenges us to verify assumptions and fine-tune our approach based on the results.

Spilling the Tea

DFS also highlights the importance of communication and collaboration. It’s about recounting your adventurous tea-tasting tales, sharing insights and findings, and ensuring everyone gets a sip of the most intriguing brews.

Solving problems in the consulting world can be as whimsically delightful as a mad hatter’s tea party. By embracing the exploratory spirit of BFS and DFS, we can chart a path through the maze of problem-solving with grace, efficiency, and a dash of humor. So, get your virtual tea party hat ready and join BFS and DFS on an exciting journey through the land of creative problem-solving. Here’s to unforgettable tea parties that not only solve problems but also make the journey a joyous adventure!

Even in the world of algorithms, there’s always an easier way out! (XKCD 399)

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Firdaus Adib

Web craft. Rails. Data Science. Biohack. Currently learning iOS.