What is a Case?

Case is a slice of life

Students have to analyze the facts and arrive at

decisions (like in real life) Simulates real life situation Enhances analytical abilities and problem solving skills No unique solution

Types of cases

Specific decision making

General evaluation, appraisal and decision

making (comprehensive) Descriptive

Steps Involved
Identify the issue/problem

Analyze the facts (given/assumed)

Generate alternatives Define criteria for evaluation of alternatives

Come out with recommendations

Draw an inference/learning

How does one approach a case?

Defining the problem
Give a quick first reading, including the title and

headings. Try to figure out: >The core issue?

>Who has to take the decision? >Who are the other players influencing the decision?

Read it a second time. Highlight/underline. Make

notes in the margin. Write the problem/issue on a separate sheet of paper

Analyzing the facts

More information-more confusion!
Information could be irrelevant (some times),

misleading, incomplete or biased. Mine out the information which is relevant What is not given , can be constructed /assumed Everything is not in black and white. There are grey areas

Criteria for evaluation

Economic, social, cultural, political and legal

dimensions(as applicable)-Both at macro level and organizational level. Time frame for implementation Availability of resources (finance, human, technological) Effect on organizational stability/equilibrium Anticipated reactions from competitors Conflict between individual Vs organizational objectives

Recommendations
Discard those which do not meet the evaluation

criteria (screening/filtering) Carefully weigh the pros and cons of the remaining alternatives in terms of their feasibility, practicality and demand on resources Try to have a neutral perspective (that of a consultant). Do not be unduly influenced by personal likes and dislikes Consider the long term effects of the suggested solution on the organization

Learnings /Inferences
Have I been able to correlate/apply the theoretical

concepts to the facts presented in this case? What tools and techniques have I made use of? Could the organization have done something different (specific evaluation cases)? Has the case offered me an opportunity to use multidisciplinary skills? Have the contributions of other students/ faculty helped me learn something new?

How to maximize learning through cases?

Prepare as groups

Do a SWOT analysis (may not be relevant for all

situations) before coming out with solutions Get a grasp of organizational type, size, structure, culture and processes Understand the business environment, competition, industry structure by doing some additional research (books/internet) Do not learn cases. Learn with cases

Dos and Donts

Participate actively in discussions (can you learn

swimming through a coaching manual?) Be an active listener. Have a open mind. Avoid being judgmental. Allow other person to complete his point. Do not abruptly cut into him. Build up on the points made by others. If you are in disagreement ,give logical explanations.

Dos and Donts

Avoid unnecessary repetition

Do not be obsessed with finding loop holes in

others arguments. You may miss out lot of good points. No unparliamentary language/gestures Avoid over dominance. Be collaborative in your approach. Take the discussions forward. Do not get stuck with trivial issues.

Dos and Donts

Do not hesitate to acknowledge your

mistakes. Do not lose your cool under any circumstances.