12 PAGES , NEED TO ADD REFERENCES OR RECOMMENDED READING

 Step I - Executive Summary of the Case

Provide a brief  (100 word maximum) summary of the case.  What is the case about? (Here emphasize facts and leave lengthy judgments regarding cause and responsibility out of the summary.  Include your recommendation(s). (I strongly suggest you write this part last)

Step II - Essential Elements of the Information/ Background Facts

In this step you respond to three basic questions: Who?  Where?  When?

The answers to these three questions should provide the necessary context in which to view the problem, the alternatives, and your recommendation.

Step III - Identify the Problem(s) or major issue(s) in the case

The problems and issues are essentially the gap between what you expect based on some ideal or better yet what someone else in a similar situation is experiencing, and what you find in the case.  This should include primary and main secondary problem(s), if any.

Step IV - For each  problem, identify its magnitude and significance

This is a critical step in the process.  In real life situations, there are always more problems than time or resources permit to resolve.  In fact, most problems are dumped and not addressed.  Why should you pay attention to the problem?  Moreover, why should you pay attention to it right now?  If you don?t need to pay attention to the problem now, when do you need to pay attention to it?

Magnitude is best expressed in terms of specific quantitative terms that clearly express how big/important the problem is.

Step V - Arrange Problems/Issues in Priority Order

The magnitude assessment should help you with this step, especially if quantification of the problem is easy.

Step VI - Select the first Two Problems and for each:

A. Identify the important causal factors: Here emphasize the causal factors you can do something about!
B. Search, develop, and define alternative courses of action.

For the purposes of this class,
· look at alternatives to prevent the problem or issue, and
· look at alternatives to resolve the problem or issue
· Remember, doing nothing (that is, leaving the problem alone) may in some circumstances be an acceptable solution.

Step VII - Identify the Positive and Negative Consequences of Implementing Each Proposed Alternative

You should be able to tie this to step IV (what effect will the alternative have on the magnitude of the problem)?

Step VIII - Recommend a Course of Action and Provide a Brief Justification for Your Recommendation

What do you consider the best solution for resolving the problem?  Why?  What other main option(s) did you seriously consider?

Step IX - Identify the Major Difficulties you would Anticipate if  Your Recommendation is Implemented

Here you are anticipating the signals or early warnings of mistakes where implementing the recommendation may actually create new problems?

Step X - Indicate the Major Criteria/Standards you would propose to Monitor the Performance of Your Recommended
               Course of Action.

Here you want to be sensitive to your ability to spot whether or not the recommendation is working.  This step should be tied to the specific quantitative criteria and standards developed back in Step IV.

Remember, try to limit your case analysis to no more than 12 pages.