Term Project: Case Analysis (30%)

Requirements for Group Case Analysis

The Term Project is a group project. Each group consists of 5 members. Each group will select a Business Company and performs an in-depth, longitudinal analysis of the Company and the industry in which it operates based on published (and where available, primary) information about the company. Annual reports, company materials, stockbroker analyses and articles in business media are sources students can consult. Interviews with Company executives can enrich the case report and are encouraged but are not required for the assignment. Approach the assignment as though you are a management consultant hired by the management of the selected Company to solve their problem. First, perform a complete strategic audit of the company (external environmental analysis, internal environmental analysis, analysis of strategic factors, and TOWS) and determine what the strategic issues are. Then generate a list of strategic alternatives that the company could pursue. Finally, recommend an action plan for the company to follow. You must be able to support your conclusions with the appropriate analyses.

Outline for Group Case Analysis

Each group is required to submit ONE written report of their case analysis. The outline detailed in Annex A MUST be used. Be sure to develop each element thoroughly, but concisely. Generalizations are unacceptable, be specific. Include all substantiating documents (i.e. tables, graphs, etc.) in appendices. IMPORTANT NOTES: 1) The report should be type written, 1.5 line-spaced, and using 12-point size font. 2) The cover page should provide the complete name of the team members, student ID number, and course code. 3) Statements, summaries and analyses listed in the body of the report should be supported by the appendices. The supporting appendix should be noted in the body of the report. (e.g. The ROI of 11% (see appendix 1) indicates that the firm.) 4) There is no minimum number of pages assigned. Being concise is an art and a skill, but brevity can get you into trouble, dont leave me guessing what it is you actually mean! Try to be concise, but avoid just being brief. 5) Groups are encouraged to consciously manage their activities. Groups may divide the task amongst members but should have processes to plan, coordinate and ensure quality and timeliness of output of members. Groups should also ensure that all members are fully informed of the content and issues of their studies. As part of the appendices, the report should also indicate briefly the nature of individual contributions. 6) Submit a hard copy of the complete Report on Week 11 plus a soft copy in Word/Excel formats as an email attachment to victorgoh@smu.edu.sg. Please ensure that your software is virus-free. The lecturer will refuse to open attachments if there are indications that a virus may be present.

Group Presentation
1

1) Each team is required to present their analysis to the class. Each presentation should not exceed 20 minutes. 2) Immediately after finishing its presentation, each team will host a Q&A session of 5-10 minutes. 3) ALL group members must participate in the oral presentation. Your group should rehearse the entire presentation until you feel comfortable with its flow, timing, and integration of topics. 4) You are presenting your findings as a consulting team hired by the Company. Learn to summarize information, and spend more time on your recommendations and how they will be implemented. 5) Do not read directly from your notes. Use an outline of topics rather than pages from your written case. You must persuade and sell the class on your analysis and recommendations! 6) Note that interesting presentations offer a judicious mix of anecdotes and analysis. Therefore, do not try to cram every single detail from your written report into your presentation.

7) Dress code: Working attire

8) Submit your presentation slides on the day of presentation. 9) Assessment criteria for presentation are as follows:

a. b. c.

Marks (10 each) awarded in 5 equal categories

Timing (Not too short, not running over time, correctly paced) Interest (Holds interest of audience, correctly pitched, moves along without rushing)

d. e. f.

Visual display effectiveness)

(e.g.

slides,

design,

simplicity,

Other communication techniques (voice, eye contact, tone, manner, appropriateness, level) Overall Impression grade (impact, impression, overall fit)

How to Avoid the Most Common Pitfalls of Case Analysis

1) Provide a clear definition of the problem. Choose one problem that you
think is the most important. Choose your definition of the problem carefully, as the way you define the problem will determine the kinds of solutions you look for. If you define it as a marketing problem, you will seek marketing solutions. If product, production solutions. If finance, finance solutions. And so on.

2) Analyse, dont summarise. Your report is aimed at management, who

knows the facts. Make clear how the various facts, information and statistics are supporting your position.

3) Always perform financial analysis. Even if the problem doesnt seem to

involve finances, you wont be sure unless you do the analyses.

4) Support your analysis, ideas, and recommendations with adequate

evidence. Again, cite facts, information and statistics to justify your analysis.

5) Make sure your recommendations address the problem you defined.

Do not define one problem, and then by the end of the analysis be recommending solutions to a different problem.

6) Give practical, specific, feasible action recommendations. Make your

recommendations the central focus of your report.

7) Consider the risks. No plan is foolproof. Anticipate and prepare for risks. 8) Dont be wishy-washy. Yes, there may be multiple alternatives. Yes, you
may mention them. But choose one recommendation and explain why its the best alternative.

Group Project Marking Sheet (Case Analysis)

Please attached to the inside front cover of your Report

COMPANY/TITLE:_______________________________ Student Names & IDs:

1) ________________________________ _ 3) ________________________________ _ 5) ________________________________ _ Criteria (Max.)
Executive Summary (5)

2) ________________________________ _ 4) ________________________________ _

Descriptors (Marking Range)

Opinion expressed, but not fully linked as argument, not supported (02) Opinion expressed and loosely linked as argument but not fully supported (3) Opinion expressed as an argument, supported with range of evidence (4-5) Very little knowledge about the external environment (0-4) Some details about the external environment (5-8) A range of details about the external environment, most areas (9-11) Comprehensive details about the external environment, providing full outline of each of the area (12-15) Very little knowledge about the internal environment (0-4) Some details about the internal environment (5-8) A range of details about the internal environment, most areas (9-11) Comprehensive details about the internal environment, providing full outline of each of the area (12-15) At best, surface knowledge of the theory (0-4) Evidence of understanding, some conceptual errors or gaps (5-8) Clear understanding of theory (9-11) Ability to criticize and/or synthesise, evaluate theory, based on clear understanding (12-15) Sketchy alternatives, with gaps, not convincing, little supporting evidence (0-8) Basic alternatives, loosely argued, some gaps, not fully supported (916) Adequate, covering most aspects, supported by sufficient evidence (17-22) Comprehensive and original, clearly expressed and developed, well argued, and supported by range of evidence (23-30) Recommendations lack supporting arguments and justifications (0-3) Recommendations that lack coherence and are not fully developed (45) Recommendations backed with logical argument and justification (6-8) Recommendations clearly expressed and supported by concise, creative and logical arguments, fully evaluated, clear and balanced (910) Very little correct usage of basic rules of punctuation. Many spelling errors. Limited vocabulary; repetitive use of language, fluency disjointed (0-2) Very little structure. A number of spelling errors (3) Not a coherently sequenced whole. Satisfactory punctuation &spelling (4) Coherently sequenced structure. Clear punctuation. Insignificant or no spelling errors (5) Most sources requiring references are missing references (0-2) Many missing references, not referencing in Harvard style (3) A few missing references. Some references not in Harvard style (4) Fully referenced in correct Harvard style (5)

Your Score

Analysis of external environment (15) Analysis of internal environment (15) Appropriate use of theoretical frameworks (15) Strategic Issues and alternatives (30)

Recommendati ons (10)

Language and Style (5)

Referencing (5)

100

TOTAL

PRESENTATION Timing Interest Visual Other Overall TOTAL /50

Comments:

ANNEX A: FORMAT FOR WRITTEN CASE ANALYSIS Required Sections I. Executive Summary Guidelines One to two paragraphs in length On cover page of the report Briefly identify the major problems facing the manager/key person Summarize the recommended plan of action and include a brief justification of the recommended plan State the problems facing the manager/key person Identify and link the symptoms and root causes of the problems Differentiate short term from long term problems Conclude with the decision facing the manager/key person Provide a detailed analysis of the problems identified in the Statement of the Problem In the analysis, apply theories and models from the text and/or readings Support conclusions and /or assumptions with specific references to the case and/or the readings Key Issues: What are the key issues that you must consider when developing a game plan for the future? Identify criteria against which you evaluate alternative solutions (i.e. time for implementation, tangible costs, acceptability to management) Include two or three possible alternative solutions Evaluate the pros and cons of each alternative against the criteria listed Suggest additional pros/cons if appropriate Identify who, what, when, and how in your recommended plan of action Solution and implementation should address the problems and causes identified in the previous section The recommended plan should include a contingency plan(s) to back up the ideal course of action Using models and theories, identify why you chose the recommended plan of action why its the best and why it would work Questions to consider: What are the positive ramifications of pursuing that strategy? What are the risks of pursuing that strategy? How do you justify the risks? Is the firm financially capable of pursuing the recommendation? Support your answer with data 5 external sources (in addition to your textbook) should be referenced to back up your recommendations or to identify issues. This information would be ideally sourced in current journals, magazines and newspapers and should reflect current management thought or practice with respect to the issues identified. Your case analysis should : Include the 5 sections listed in the outline 1.5 line-spaced and the pages should be numbered Have 1inch margins top bottom left and right Use 12 point font size Be free of spelling errors Use an established referencing system

II. Statement of the Problem

III. Causes of the Problem (Situation Analysis) IV. Decision Criteria

V. Alternative Solutions

VI. Recommended Solution, Implementation and Justification

VII. External Sourcing VIII. Spelling Grammar and Presentation

Present the executive summary on the first page of the assignment along with your name (s), student number(s), course section and due date