Introduction to Case Method

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BIMTECH FOUNDATION COURSE : PPMJUNE 2011 1

Introduction to Case Method

With a Case study


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The Case Method

It refers to the use of cases aseducational vehicles to give studentsan opportunity to put themselves in

the decision makers or problemsolvers shoes.

In medical analogy the case method

is like providing the corpse to thestudents to practice on.


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In the case method the student gainsan opportunity to develop analytical

and planning skills, through:Repeated personal analysis

Discussions with others

Definition of the problemIdentification of alternatives

Statement of objectives and decision

criteria Choice of action and plan of

implementation


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What is a Case?

A case reflects a slice of real life

This slice can never replicate the100% of the business situation and

scenarioIt enables discussing the businessreality in a class room setting

The purpose is to sharpen theanalytical abilities and executive

judgement


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A Case can be defined as

A case typically is a record of abusiness issue which actually has

been faced by business executives,together with surrounding facts,opinions and prejudices, upon which

executive decisions had to depend.


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A good case is the vehicle by which achunk of reality is brought into the

classroom to be worked over by the classand the instructor.

A good case must enable a passionate

debate.

A good case provides data andinformation in a manner which could

facilitate students to either understand abusiness concept or support theirarguments with the help of facts.


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Types of Cases

Success or Failure Stories

Issue Identification Cases

Functional Strategy CasesComprehensive Cases

Caselets


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Success or Failure Stories

A three to four page case sharing asuccess or failure story

This can be on a new recruitment

policy, new incentives for the HumanResources or introduction of a newproduct

The purpose is to identify thereasons for failure or success


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Issue Identification Cases

These cases are written in a mannerwhich can help the students toidentify the issues being faced by an

organization

The length of such cases may be 5 to20 pages


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Functional Strategy Cases

These cases provide a comprehensiveview of a specific function likeMarketing, Human Resources,

Operations Management, etc.

These cases offer opportunity toidentify and evaluate alternative

strategies available


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Comprehensive Cases

These cover overall growth strategies,mergers and acquisitions,performance of a firm over the years,

leadership and vision of anorganization

The contexts of such cases are the

jobs and challenges of aCEO/president/project director etc.


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Caselets

The maximum length of a caselet is

not more than two pages

Caselets are written in a mannerwhich reflects the dilemmas or

conflicts which a decision maker maybe facing

Being short, the students can read

these cases in a few minutes andthen participate in a lively andmeaningful debate


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BIMTECH FOUNDATION COURSE : PPMJUNE 2011

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Format

1. INTRODUCTION

2. KEY PERSONS INVOLVED

3. ISSUE IDENTIFICATION

4. ANALYSIS

SWOT STRENGTH

WEAKNESS

OPPORTUNITY

THREAT{also area specific analysis can be done e.g. grid study inHR,PERT,CPM, Ratio analysis (DuPont), and otherstatistical tools as per requirement}


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BIMTECH FOUNDATION COURSE : PPMJUNE 2011

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Format

5. KEY PRINCIPLE /RULE/LAW INVOLVED

6. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

7. ATERNATE SOLUTIONS

8. SUGGESTIONS

9. CONCLUSION

Documents

Introduction to Case Method