Case Study
Order Description
The exam is a maximum of 3 pages, single spaced, 11-point Arial font with one inch margins. Feel free to use subheadings, underlining, bold, to highlight subsections and theories. Some of the cases feature people. It is not your job to solve the people’s problems – think at the organizational level. I highly recommend you reread this before beginning and completing your case assignment. Please pay attention to grammar and structure. Hint: You are trying to solve the organization’s problems moving forward. Use the past to understand the present, but don’t dwell in the past.
A. SIZE-UP – ORGANIZATION and HR (out of 5)
Organization e.g. strategy, market position, profitability, leadership· This is a brief snapshot·
B. SYMPTOMS (out of 10)
“WHAT IS WRONG IN THIS CASE & WHAT IS GOING WELL?”
stick to the data in the case – no interpretation, just like a doctor·
e.g. who is upset, what is not working, what is going well·
C. PROBLEMS & OPPORTUNITIES (out of 25)
“WHAT CAUSED THE SYMPTOMS TO OCCUR?” positive (opportunities) and negative (problems)
you interpret what could have caused the symptoms – positive and negative
e.g. lack of planning, lack of training, poor leadership, excellent motivation
D. SUMMARY OF SITUATION: (out of 10)
WHAT PROBLEMS ARE CRITICAL THAT I WILL I FOCUS ON
WHAT CRITERIA WILL I USE TO EVALUATE ALTERNATIVES
These criteria are often a mix of strategic and tactical items
This section ends the first part of the case analysis and lays the groundwork for the rest of it. Discuss the evaluative criteria clearly since they will drive the solution.
E. ALTERNATIVES (out of 30)
Create a set of alternatives around this issue: make these alternatives wide ranging & identify the advantages and disadvantages of each, using the criteria identified above
If applicable, create a set of complementary alternatives that would have to be considered to implement any of the primary alternatives: E.g. decentralize decision making, create a steering committee. Beware of ‘magic bullets’ that appear to solve all of your problems, but are only surface
F. RECOMMENDATION and IMPLEMENTATION (out of 20)
WHAT ALTERNATIVES ARE RECOMMENDED AND WHY
separate out short and long term recommendations
discuss any issues in implementation necessary to ensure success.
THERE ARE MANY “RIGHT ANSWERS” TO ANY CASE SITUATION. JUST KEEP YOUR “LINE OF REASONING” CLEAR AND STRATEGIC THROUGHOUT THE ANALYSIS. DO NOT EXCEED THE PAGE LIMIT. WE CANNOT READ PAST PAGE 3.
