Business
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CaseAnalysisOVERVIEW_BUS_150_S20_RAD3.docxBUS 150 Case Preparation Chart Overview
NOTE: This assignment is worth 5% of your final grade and is to be completed individually .
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Case Analysis Overview |
Definition of a Case – A case study presents a business situation that allows you to understand and apply the concepts learned in the course.
There are usually problems in the situation that require a decision or recommendation. These problems may arise because of actions taken (or not taken) by the management of the business or they may be the result of factors outside management's control. Analysis of the case must be carried out under conditions of incomplete knowledge and some amount of uncertainty and risk - conditions very similar to those found in real world decision making. A case serves as a catalyst to speed up the process of learning by experience.
Objectives of a Case Study – You, as a case analyst, will take the position of the decision-maker involved, analyze the situation presented, and answer the question, "What would you do if you were in this situation?"
The objectives of a written analysis of a case situation are to:
1. Test your ability to view a management situation in terms of the concepts we have studied.
2. Test your ability to apply the knowledge you have acquired to a specific concrete situation.
3. Test your ability to present your ideas and opinions in a well thought out and readable form.
4. Test your ability to identify managerial approaches that are most appropriate for given organizational situations and for problem-oriented cases.
Keep these objectives in mind while preparing your analysis of the assigned case. Use any and all materials from the textbook/course in completing your case study.
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Preparing Your Case Analysis |
Read the case and begin to fill out the basic case overview information – what is the name of the company and key individual/s who need to make decisions and take action on resolving the issue/s in this case? What is their position in the organization? What is the current situation and why has this situation arisen?
The remainder of the chart should be completed after you have fully read the case.
Note: not all sections of the chart are equally important with every case (refer to marking rubric).
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Case Overview: Who is the case about?
What is happening in the case?
Why is the current situation happening?
When does action need to take place?
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Identify and list the key issues (most important) and MUST be considered when proposing decision criteria (objectives) and solutions – identify concepts/theories from the chapter that might apply to each. As you progress through the case, remember to look at the root causes of the issues (not the symptoms). Ask why this is an issue to ensure you are getting at the root of the problem. Think about the concern(s), problem(s), decision(s), challenge(s) or opportunity(ies) you are facing as the decision maker?
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Issues or Problems: 1. 2. 3. 4. |
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What type of pressures/drivers will affect the outcome in this case? These are pressures or drivers that the decision maker/s must consider when developing alternatives. Examples include people such as customers (external); employees (internal), etc. |
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INTERNAL: (within the organization) |
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EXTERNAL: (outside of the organization) |
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Analysis |
Step 1: Identify your decision criteria. Rank your THREE criteria and use these same three criteria to evaluate each of your alternatives.
Quantitative criterion (numbers, measureable data) Qualitative criterion (more subjective) and the third from either category
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Criteria (choose a total of 3 to evaluate each alternative) 1. 2. 3. |
Step 2: focus on the two most pressing problems/issues. Clearly state each one and generate several alternative solutions for each problem. List the two best (most feasible) alternatives that will address the primary issues for each of the two problems in the analysis table.
Step 3: Analyze each alternative against all three of your decision criteria in terms of pros and cons. The goal is to determine which of your proposed alternative solutions best meet the stated objectives.
INTEGRATE AND APPLY RELEVANT CHAPTER MATERIAL THROUGHOUT YOUR CASE ANALYSIS.
Alternative Assessment
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Quantitative (numbers, data can be measured): Qualitative (more subjective): And the third from either category:
Problem 1 (clearly state the problem/issue) : Alternative 1: pros:
cons:
Alternative 2: pros:
cons:
Problem 2 (clearly state the problem/issue) : Alternative 1: pros:
cons:
Alternative 2: pros:
cons: |
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Recommendations |
Based on your above analysis, what Recommendation/s are you making? What is the course of action you believe to be the best solution based on your analysis of all alternative possibilities and the objectives you hope to meet?
Clearly state your recommendation/s. Do not write, I recommend Alternative 1; instead clearly state what Alternative 1 is.
For example: To create and implement an organizational code of ethics within the next two weeks.
State your recommendations (if more than one, number them and begin each one with an action verb):
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Implementation Plan |
Identify the major steps that should be taken next in order to implement your recommendation/s. As part of your plan, describe and apply relevant course theories, concepts, etc. in resolving the case issues. Remember to include your role in assisting the decision maker/s in implementing your recommended actions.
Action & Implementation Plan (SpecificMeasurableAchievableRealisticTimebound)
Who should be involved in the implementation of your recommendation/s?
What steps should be taken and how will they be implemented (provide specific step by step details)?
When (what is the timeline these steps will need)?
Where will this happen?
Equally important issues in any case study are the two following sections. Do not leave them blank.
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Missing Information: What information would have been helpful that was not provided? |
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Assumptions: Identify any assumptions you made during your analysis of this case (not stated in the case).
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