Question: Case discussions and written analysis
Students often find discussing cases in class and writing written case-based essays difficult. This is actually good, we want the work to be difficult, but not painful. There are some processes that you can follow to make your task easier[1].
Reading the Case: Reading the case is not sufficient to provide valuable input into a class discussion. In a class discussion students build on the ideas and comments of others. Students often give the case a quick read, and then begin their thinking during the class discussion. This leads to contributions that come to late to make meaningful contributions. You have to think about the case before you come to class. Think about the facts in the case and how they are connected. Form opinions about what is wrong, right and what should be done. Relate the facts of the case to the material that you have learned in some of your classes. Think about the evidence from the case. You want to tell the other students and the instructor what facts led you to your conclusions. Make some notes. Come prepared to present and defend your opinions and to add to the contributions of others.
Outline for written case essay
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Problem Case Essay
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Decision Case Essay
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Evaluation Case Essay
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State the problem of the case, in a short clear terms as possible
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State the decision you are recommending and your reasons for so doing. Although this comes first in the essay, you may want to write it last.
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State your overall evaluation, a summary of the most significant factors (positive and negative) and any qualifications.
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Now list the primary cases of problems and note your evidence for each. Identify the fewest number of causes that account for the majority of problems.
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What are the decision options? What are the appropriate criteria to be used in evaluating the options? You may also want to state how the criteria are measures in some cases.
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What are the criteria you used to make the evaluation. Why are they appropriate? Try to focus on major criteria and keep them as broad as possible.
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Present an action plan. State the goals of your plan and the steps you feel need to be taken to achieve those goals. You may want to separate these into short-term and long-term steps.
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Presence the evidence that supports your recommended option.
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List positive and negative factors the criteria reveal and the evidence for them. In the essay order positive and negative factors to support you position statement. Also, note any ideas for action steps.
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Identify any risks to the success of your plan, and any steps that could minimize these risks.
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What is the evidence that resulted in you not selecting the other alternative options.
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A summary of the qualifications, which are factors not part of the evaluation that have a significant effect on it.
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Read your essay over. Good grammar and spelling are important.
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What are the disadvantages of your recommendation, and how might you mitigate them. See if the case has any evidence to support this.
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Present your evaluation action plan. It is suppose to improve the negative factors and enhance the positive factors. The action can be an implementation plan that reflects the findings of the evaluation.
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Discuss your action plan for implementing your decision. What is the major outcome you want to achieve and how will your bring it about.
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What are the action steps to be taken. You want to think about the order of their presentation. Try to indicate if they are long-term or short-term.
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What are the major risks that could undermine your plan and how can you minimize them.
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Identify major risks that could undermine your plan and how you can minimize them.
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