The Building a Better Bar study reveals that new lawyers often struggle to see "the big picture" of client problems (pp 56-57). They know how to address pieces of a client problem, but not how to put those pieces together. In law school and part-time jobs, students see pieces of client matters, but they rarely work on a client matter from start to finish. As a result, new graduates are uncomfortable identifying client goals, developing a strategy to implement those goals, identifying and achieving each piece of that strategy, and adapting the strategy as necessary.
Without an ability to see the big picture, new lawyers are technicians rather than professionals. Even when they benefit from close supervision, their supervisors want them to have this professional ability to see the big picture. Otherwise, teamwork founders.
It is difficult to test this competency through a written exam. The best way to assess its presence is through clinical work, externships, or supervised postrgraduate practice that encompasses the full life of a client case.