Written Case Analysis Model
Case-Study: Value-jet
The Lessons of ValuJet 592
I. First, develop and discuss a chronology of events in this case. Second, identify the key individuals and describe their roles in the case.
II. Identify the major problem(s) in the case in one or two clear and precise sentences. (One way to identify a problem is to identify a gap between some standard and the actual situation. Possible standards include the organization's stated objectives, objectives of competing organizations, or standards based on administrative or organization theory. This gap can be considered a symptom of underlying causes.)
III. Identify the underlying causes of the problem.
• What is the immediate cause(s) of the problem?
• What is the root cause(s)? (As you think of possible causes, test them against the facts of the case. Keep only the possible causes that could account for the gap. The closer you can come to the root cause, the more satisfactory the solution is likely to be.)
IV. Develop a solution consistent with the problem(s) and cause(s) identified.
• State your solution and explain why it will resolve the problem(s).
• List the advantages and disadvantages of your solution.
• Are there any unintended consequences (positive, negative, or both) that may occur as the result of the implementation of your solution?
V. Specify implementation steps (an action plan) for your solution.
• What is the action plan for your solution?
• Who should do what?
• When and where should they do it?
VI. Comment on the lessons of the case. (This section carries the most import in the analysis. Each of the bullets below should be answered separately and thoroughly.)
• Generally, what does the case teach us about public management?
• What theories or theoretical models, found in the assigned readings, are reflected in the case?
• Describe the connections between theory (represented by the theoretical model(s) you describe in the second bullet above for this question) and practice (represented by the case). In addition, identify the theorist(s) of the theoretical model(s) you describe.
• First, does this case support or contradict, in your view, the central premise of the theorist(s) you identified? Second, explain your response.