ASSESSMENT Harvard Case Study
Anteby, Michel, Elena Corsi & Emilie Billaud. (2012). Automating the Paris Subway (A), Harvard Case #9-413-061. Harvard Business School Press: Boston, MA
NB: This case is also available online directly from Harvard Business School Press: https://hbsp.harvard.edu/
ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTION:
Using the outline below, analyse the case Automating the Paris Subway (A)..
Case Study Outline:
Introduction:
Give a very brief description of the situation outlined in the case study.
Problem:
Outline what you see as the key problems the case study participants face. It’s key here not to get distracted by trivia – focus on the main game. Clearly state what the problem is as you see it, and WHY you see it as key. This requires analysis of the situation, not just a repetition of it.
Possible Solutions:
At this point you should outline what you see as possible solutions to the problem you’ve outlined above. Each should be accompanied by an analysis of their potential strengths and weaknesses. I would expect to see about three (3) possible strategies for solving the problem here.
Recommendation:
Here is where you put your professional reputation on the line. Business does not hire consultants to give them a list of possible solutions, they want their best possible recommendation. You can’t hedge here, you can’t temporize. Clearly state what they need to do to implement your solution. You also need to consider here what is possible for the participants to do, and what they might be WILLING to do.
Fallout:
This section is basically “what could go wrong?” Take into consideration the foreseeable outcomes if your recommendation is adopted—and if it isn’t.