Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 1 Understanding the Case Method of Learning What is the case method?  Applies the ancient Socratic technique of teaching people how to think and how to ask questions  Develops skills in:  Diagnosing situations  Defining problems  Analyzing the sources and constraints of problems  Developing alternative courses of action  Deciding on particular courses of action

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 2 Understanding the Case Method of Learning Different types of cases  The formal case  Describes a simulated or real-life situation faced by management  May deal with a specific problem experienced by one company or an entire industry  Often involves complex data and can cover 15 or 20 pages  A single best solution may or may not exist  Apply theories you have learned to arrive at what you consider the best answer

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 3 Understanding the Case Method of Learning Different types of cases  The case story  Usually written as a chronological history of a decision made by management  Outcome and an analysis of decision is presented  Little excess information is given  Management’s answer may not be the best answer  Usually 2 or 3 pages long  Follows the form of a magazine or newspaper article

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 4 Understanding the Case Method of Learning Different types of cases  The critical incident  Gives little background information  Short, usually 2 or 3 pages  Presents a situation where impact is greater on interpersonal relationships than on the organization  Opening paragraph often throws you into the middle of a dilemma  Gives many of the possible solutions that can be developed

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 5 Understanding the Case Method of Learning Overcoming the difficulties of the case method  Conquering a different learning style  Strive to transfer from traditional learning process of teacher-to-student to student-to-student mode  Listen to colleagues’ ideas to develop your own critical analytical abilities  Do extensive preparation outside the classroom  Overcoming the fear of writing and speaking  Developing your personal system of case analysis

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 6 Reading a Case Properly Previewing  Goal is to learn as much as possible before actually reading the case  Familiarize yourself with layout, exhibits, and key names of businesses and individuals Skimming  Previewing in greater detail  Look for major ideas, issues, problems and potential solutions to help you analyze the case

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 7 Reading a Case Properly Reading  1 st reading  Read at a comfortable pace; resist underlining  Look for answers to questions, specific facts, or details you will need in deciding on solutions  2 nd reading  Dissect and analyze the case from the standpoint of problems, major issues, and potential solutions  Underline important facts

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 8 Reading a Case Properly Scanning  Scan highlights and notes to refresh the information in your mind  Review names and facts pertinent to the case  Look for unexpected items that might give you an edge on cracking the case  Work to understand the flow of information from beginning to end  Look at all aspects of the case

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 9 Case Analysis Approaches The systems approach  Organizations viewed as systems engaged in process of converting inputs into outputs  Allows you to see problems, opportunities, and actions by understanding the components of a system and how they relate to each other The behavioral approach  Focuses on the people within an organization and their behavior

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 10 Case Analysis Approaches The decision approach  One or more decision-making theories or models are applied  Answer the problem you have stated by applying the appropriate theory in the appropriate instance The strategy approach  Used with longer, formal cases in business school policy courses  Use the SWOT form of analysis

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 11 Case Analysis Approaches The strategy approach  SWOT  Strengths – advantages upon which the organization can capitalize (resources, professional staff, new products)  Weaknesses – disadvantages that can hinder performance and goal achievement  Opportunities – focus on the future (technology, experienced personnel, quality manufacturing)  Threats – future events or happenings that can prevent success and cause difficulty

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 12 Analyzing the Case Six-step process  Step 1: Define the case problem and write a problem statement  Step 2: Consider the relevant information and underlying assumptions  Step 3: List the possible solutions to the problem  Step 4: Select a solution and prepare to defend it  Step 5: Decide how to implement the solution  Step 6: Decide how to communicate your analysis

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 13 The Written Report The suspense format  Identify the strategic issues and problems  Analyze and evaluate the possible solutions to these issues  Make recommendations The news-first format  Present your recommended solution first  Support your recommendation  List the other alternatives and why they were not selected  Provide evidence to support your observation and recommendations

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 14 The Written Report Strategic issues format  Cite the crucial strategic issues,  the assumptions you made about those issues,  the strategies you recommend for dealing with the issues,  the justification for your recommendations,  the plan of action for implementation,  and the expected results. Exhibits and typing  Exhibits should help support the positions you have taken in your text  Place them strategically to help explain your conclusions  Present long exhibits in an appendix at the end  Clearly title each exhibit  Typed report should follow rules of good writing

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 15 Some Do’s and Don’ts for Case Preparation Do’s of case analysis  Do:  accept the fact that much of the material in the case is useless to your investigation  realize different professors want you to conduct different types of analyses  follow a logical, clear, and consistent path through the case analysis  recognize the difference between facts and inferences  take a stand in your analysis and support it

Chapter 14 - Analyzing a Case and Writing a Case Report 16 Some Do’s and Don’ts for Case Preparation Don’ts of case analysis  Don’t:  expect a right conclusion to be available following the study of a case  tell the instructor that you need more information before arriving at a decision  expect cases to cover a single discipline or to lend themselves to a solution by a given theory or concept  expect your instructor to give clear instructions on what is expected from your analysis  become locked into a conclusion too early in the analysis  feel that you have to solve all the problems in the case