Case Analysis Guidelines

Step 1. What are the key issues or problems of the case? Any case may suggest several interpretations of what the focal concerns are. It is helpful to begin by identifying as many different interpretations as possible.

Step 2. Prioritize the problems. Focus on the key issues of the case. This may involve selecting one of the issues already raised or creating a new statement that identifies the problem. In some cases, there may be several problems at work, in which you may wish to simply rank the problems in terms of either potential importance or timing of impact.

Step 3. Consider whether it is necessary to determine the "cause" of the problem.

In some cases, it is important to determine what caused the problem in order to identify the appropriate solution(s). In other cases, the cause of the problem is not as important as what to do about it. Therefore, when working on a case, always ask whether it is necessary to decide what the cause is.

Step 4. Brainstorm the options available to the leader. There is always one option: Do nothing. However, there are usually several ways to respond to a problem, and trying to identify those options is an important part of case discussions. Use your best brainstorming skills to determine what the options are.

Step 5. Evaluate the options.

Each option will have advantages and disadvantages. In management and human resource issues, there are several criteria that may be useful for evaluating different options, including:

The power of the option to solve the problem

The impact of the option on organizational performance and/or morale

Legal or regulatory liabilities and requirements

Cost of the option

The ability of the person(s) involved to carry out the option (in terms of skill, authority, or basic motivation)

Step 6. Select the optimum solution.

The ideal solution will produce the best outcome at the least cost. In management situations, this may not be possible. Therefore, selecting the best solution may involve balancing competing opportunities and constraints with an optimum solution that produces satisfactory outcomes on as many criteria as possible.

Step 7. Describe how the solution should be implemented.

Create a plan or "script" of what the manager or supervisor should do to implement the solution.