What is a case study

What is a case study

A. Pooja Narayan

Case study
 It refers to the collection and
presentation of detailed information
about a particular situation by a
participant or small group.
 Evaluators generally do not focus on
the discovery of a universal truth, nor
do they typically look for cause-effect
relationship, instead the emphasis is
on exploration and description.

How does the case method
work?

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

Why have a case study?

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

You can learn how to

 Make decision-making easier
 Improve the analytical quality of
decisions
 Reduce the time required to
take decisions
 Increase the frequency of
correct decision.

Steps to solve a case
 Read the case thoroughly
 Define the central issue
 Define the firm’s goals
 Identify constraints to the
problem
 Identify all relevant alternatives
 Select the best alternative
 Develop an implementation plan

Read the case thoroughly

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

Define the central issue

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

Define the firm’s goal

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

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

Identify all relevant
alternatives
 Use your creativity to come up
with the alternative solutions.

Select the best alternative

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

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

The report

 Written reports
 Oral report

Written reports

 Executive summary
 Problem statement
 Alternatives
 Conclusion
 implementation

executive summary

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

Problem statement

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

alternatives

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

conclusion

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

implementation

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

Oral reports

 Students should include the
following whenever discussing a
case in the test:-
 Description of the case situation
 Problem statement
 Analysis of the key alternatives
 Conclusion
 Implementation

What is a case study

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