What is a case studyWhat is a case study

A. Pooja NarayanA. Pooja Narayan

Case studyCase study

It refers to the collection and It refers to the collection and presentation of detailed information presentation of detailed information about a particular situation by a about a particular situation by a participant or small group.participant or small group.

Evaluators generally do not focus on Evaluators generally do not focus on the discovery of a universal truth, nor the discovery of a universal truth, nor do they typically look for cause-effect do they typically look for cause-effect relationship, instead the emphasis is relationship, instead the emphasis is on exploration and description.on exploration and description.

How does the case method How does the case method work?work?

When student are presented When student are presented with a case, they place with a case, they place themselves in the role of the themselves in the role of the decision maker as they read decision maker as they read through the situation and identify through the situation and identify the problem.the problem.

Why have a case study?Why have a case study?

The case method of learning is The case method of learning is based on the belief that based on the belief that management is a skill rather management is a skill rather than a collection of techniques than a collection of techniques and concepts. The best way to and concepts. The best way to learn this skill is to experience it.learn this skill is to experience it.

You can learn how toYou can learn how to

Make decision-making easierMake decision-making easier Improve the analytical quality of Improve the analytical quality of

decisionsdecisions Reduce the time required to Reduce the time required to

take decisionstake decisions Increase the frequency of Increase the frequency of

correct decision.correct decision.

Steps to solve a caseSteps to solve a case

Read the case thoroughlyRead the case thoroughly Define the central issueDefine the central issue Define the firm’s goalsDefine the firm’s goals Identify constraints to the Identify constraints to the

problemproblem Identify all relevant alternativesIdentify all relevant alternatives Select the best alternativeSelect the best alternative Develop an implementation planDevelop an implementation plan

Read the case thoroughlyRead the case thoroughly

Read the case rather quickly the Read the case rather quickly the first time to get an overview of first time to get an overview of the industry, the company, the the industry, the company, the people and the situation. Read people and the situation. Read the case again more slowly, the case again more slowly, making notes as you go.making notes as you go.

Define the central issueDefine the central issue

Many cases will involve several Many cases will involve several issues or problem. Identify the issues or problem. Identify the most important problems. most important problems. Examine related problems in the Examine related problems in the functional areas( marketing, functional areas( marketing, finance. And so on)finance. And so on)

Define the firm’s goalDefine the firm’s goal

Inconsistencies between a firm’s Inconsistencies between a firm’s goal and its performance may goal and its performance may further highlight the problems further highlight the problems discovered in step 2. this will discovered in step 2. this will provide a guide for the provide a guide for the remaining analysis.remaining analysis.

Identify constraints to the Identify constraints to the problemproblem

Constraints may limit the Constraints may limit the solutions available to the firm. It solutions available to the firm. It may include limited finances, may include limited finances, personnel limitations, strong personnel limitations, strong competitors and so on.. competitors and so on.. Constraints have to be Constraints have to be considered when suggesting a considered when suggesting a solution.solution.

Identify all relevant Identify all relevant alternativesalternatives

Use your creativity to come up Use your creativity to come up with the alternative solutions.with the alternative solutions.

Select the best alternativeSelect the best alternative

Evaluate each alternative in the Evaluate each alternative in the light of the available information. light of the available information. Resist the temptation to jump to Resist the temptation to jump to this early in the case analysis. this early in the case analysis. you also need to explain to you also need to explain to explain the logic you used to explain the logic you used to choose one alternative and choose one alternative and reject the others.reject the others.

Develop an implementation Develop an implementation planplan

The final step in the analysis is The final step in the analysis is to develop a plan for effective to develop a plan for effective implementation of your decision.implementation of your decision.

The reportThe report

Written reportsWritten reports Oral reportOral report

Written reportsWritten reports

Executive summaryExecutive summary Problem statementProblem statement AlternativesAlternatives ConclusionConclusion implementationimplementation

executive summaryexecutive summary

Executive summary is a Executive summary is a concisely written statement, less concisely written statement, less than one page, placed at the than one page, placed at the front of the report. it briefly front of the report. it briefly summaries the major points of summaries the major points of the case and your solution. It the case and your solution. It should describe the major issue, should describe the major issue, the proposed solution and the the proposed solution and the logic supporting solution.logic supporting solution.

Problem statementProblem statement

Present the central issue or Present the central issue or major problem in the case here.major problem in the case here.

alternativesalternatives

Discuss all relevant alternatives. Discuss all relevant alternatives. Be sure to state your Be sure to state your assumptions and the impact of assumptions and the impact of constraints on each alternative.constraints on each alternative.

conclusionconclusion

Present the analysis and the Present the analysis and the logic that led you to select a logic that led you to select a particular solution. Also discuss particular solution. Also discuss the reasons you rejected the the reasons you rejected the other alternatives.other alternatives.

implementationimplementation

Outline a plan of action that will Outline a plan of action that will lead to effective implementation lead to effective implementation of the decision so that the of the decision so that the reader can see not only why you reader can see not only why you chose a particular alternative but chose a particular alternative but also how it will work.also how it will work.

Oral reportsOral reports

Students should include the Students should include the following whenever discussing a following whenever discussing a case in the test:-case in the test:-

Description of the case situationDescription of the case situation Problem statementProblem statement Analysis of the key alternativesAnalysis of the key alternatives ConclusionConclusion ImplementationImplementation

THANK YOUTHANK YOU