Case Study

Solving procedure
Dr. Tripti Sahu
SBIIMS
Pune

What is a Case Study?

A

case study is a description of

an actual administrative situation
involving a decision to be made
or a problem to be solved.

Illustrative

Case Studies: They typically

utilize one or two instances of an event to show
what a situation is like.
Exploratory (or pilot) Case Studies: These
are condensed case studies performed before
implementing a large scale investigation.
Cumulative Case Studies: These serve to
aggregate information from several sites
collected at different times.
Critical Instance Case StudiesThese examine
one or more sites for either the purpose of
examining a situation of unique interest

Step 1: The Short Cycle

Process
Quickly

read the case. Give a quick reading, you

can read only the first few and last paragraphs.
Figure out the following :
the decision maker in this case, and its position and responsibilities
What appears to be the issue and its significance for the
organization
Reason for the issue arisen and the role of decision maker
Level of urgency to the situation?

Give

a sincere look to exhibits and the figures

given.
Review the case subtitles to see what areas are
covered in more depth.
Read case questions (if any) This may give you
some clues about the main issues.

Step 2: The Long Cycle Process

detailed reading of the case

Analyzing the case.

Read to absorb
Stating

paragraph
Background information
Specific (functional) area of
interest
The specific problem
Alternatives
Conclusion

The Case Analyses

step1:
Defining

the issue(s)
What appears to be the problem(s) here?
How do I know that this is a problem?
(differentiate the symptoms of the problem
from the problem itself)
Identify issues that need to be addressed
immediately? (differentiate between issues
that can be resolved within the context of the
case)
Distinguish importance issues form
urgent ones. deal with important issues in
order of urgency

Analyzing Case Data

Find

out the reason behind the

issue: determine cause and effect for
the problems identified:
resources
people
Processes

Identify

the area or people

affected most by this issues?
Spot limitations and opportunities
Analyze the numbers

Generating Alternatives
Be

practical and implementable

Never give a decision which require
further investigation
Doing nothing
Avoid the meat sandwich method of
providing only two other clearly
undesirable alternatives to make one
reasonable alternative look better by
comparison.
Think of obstacles present in the way of
implementing the decsions

Key Decision Criteria

Brief,

preferably in point form, such as

improve (or at least maintain) profitability,

increase sales, market share, or return on investment,
maintain customer satisfaction, corporate image,
employee morale, safety, or turnover,
retain flexibility, and/or
minimize environmental impact.

Measurable:

at least to the point of comparison, such

as alternative A will improve profitability more that
alternative B.
Be related to your problem statement, and
alternatives. If you find that you are talking about
something else, that is a sign of a missing alternative
or key decision criteria, or a poorly formed problem
statement.

Evaluating Alternatives
Ranking

Method
Pros and Cons

Also consider the long and short

term effect of the alternative
choosen

Recommendation
You

must have one! Business

people are decision-makers; this
is your opportunity to practice
making decisions. Give a
justification for your decision (use
the KDC's). Check to make sure
that it is one (and only one) of
your Alternatives and that it does
resolve what you defined as the
Problem.

Instructions for students

Before the class discussion:
Read the reading assignments (if
any)
Use the Short Cycle Process to
familiarize yourself with the case.
Use the Long Cycle Process to
analyze the case
Usually there will be group meetings
to discuss your ideas.
Write up the case (if required

Instructions for students

In the class discussion:
Someone will start the discussion,
usually at the prompting of the
Instructor.
Listen carefully and take notes. Pay
close attention to assumptions. Insist
that they are clearly stated.
Take part in the discussion. Your
contribution is important, and is
likely a part of your evaluation for
the course.

Instructions for students

After the class discussion:
Review ASAP after the class. Note
what the key concept was and how
the case fits into the course.