Case Method

The Case Method

Cases usually deal with a :

Problem to be solved or

A decision to be made

The decision maker typically faces a shortage of both:

good information and adequate time to solve the problem

The Challenge

Cases challenge you to:

Define the problem;

Identify what information is relevant;

Separate facts from opinions

Interpret and analyze information;

Come to a decision based on your research;

Determine a course of action;

Communicate your ideas clearly and concisely.

Preparation Process

The best way to approach case analysis is to prepare individually and then discuss with the other members of your group

A) Individual Preparation

Read the case once quickly

Read the case a second (or third time) more carefully – highlight key information and/or make notes

Individual Preparation con’t

Focus on answering the following:

What is the problem that needs to be solved?

What facts are relevant and key to determining a solution?

What are the causes of the problem (not symptoms)?

Analyze what the facts mean for the problem.

What are the alternatives for solving the problem?

What is your evaluation of the alternatives ?

Which alternatives or combinations of alternatives would you choose?

What is your plan of action?

What results do you expect?

B) Group Preparation

Once all of the members of the group have completed their individual preparation meet as a group to discuss your preliminary findings.

Establish what research needs to be conducted in order to:

- analyze the problem and alternative solutions.

- decide on the solution(s) and

- decide on a plan of action to implement the solution (s).

Develop a Gantt chart to help your group

manage your time during the semester.

Establish meeting times and decide how you are going to communicate with each other outside of meeting times. (eg. Google Docs)

Regularly assess how the...