Analyzing Strategic Management Cases

AgendaCase PresentationSteps to Case PreparationPresentation RequirementsReport Requirements

How to Conduct a Case Analysis

Put yourself “inside” the caseThink like an actual participant

Strategic decision makerBoard of directorsOutside consultant

Five Steps: Step One

Become familiar with the material Read quickly through the case

one time Use initial read-through to assess possible

links to strategic concepts Read the case again, making notes Evaluate application of strategic concepts After forming first recommendation, thumb

through the case again to assess consequences of actions you propose

Five Steps: Step Two

Identify problems Symptoms vs.. Problems: avoid getting hung

up on symptoms Some cases have more than one problem Articulate the problem

Writing down a problem statement gives you a reference point when you proceed through the case analysis

Some problems are not apparent until after you do the analysis

Five Steps: Step Three

Conduct strategic analyses Determine which strategic issues are

involved Use strategic tools to conduct the analysis

Five-forces analysis PEST analysis SWOT analysis Value chain analysis Resource-Based View of the Firm (VRIO) Contingency frameworks Financial analysis

Test your own assumptions about the case

Five Steps: Step Four

Propose alternative solutions Develop a list of options first without judging

them Do nothing is often a reasonable alternative

Evaluate alternatives Can the company afford it? Is the solution likely to evoke a competitive

response? Will employees accept the change? How will it affect other stakeholders? How does it fit with the vision, mission,

objectives? Will the culture or values of the company

change?

Five Steps: Step Five

Make recommendations Make a set of recommendations

that your analysis supports Describe exactly what needs to be done Explain why this course of action will solve

the problem Include suggestions for how best to

implement the proposed solution The solution you propose must solve the

problem you identified

Points to RememberAlways connect the problem(s),

alternatives, and recommendationsOften, the problem is stated in the case;

you just have to look a little for it

Presentation RequirementsIntroduction of Management TeamOutline of presentationCompany OverviewProblem IdentificationStrategic AnalysisAlternativesRecommendationConclusion/Wrap Up of pertinent

information15-20 minutes in length

Report Requirements

1. Include:a) Cover sheet with:

a) Class and sectionb) Group namec) List of group membersd) Case name and number

b) Historical Overview/Company Profilec) Identify problem(s)d) Strategic Analysise) Alternativesf) Recommendation(s)

2. Be thorough, but brief and concise.3. Use charts and graphs to consolidate information and

keep it interesting.4. Pattern report on presentation

Report Requirements (cont.)

Format-Business style writing3-5 pages in lengthTimes New Roman font, 12 pt., 1 inch marginsSingle-space paragraphsDouble-space between paragraphs and after headersSection headers in bold; sub-headers italicized; no

punctuation after headersAll type should be left justified (do not indent

paragraphs)Charts and graphs should be in-line, not in appendix

Watch paragraph lengths, grammar, spellingConsistent formatting throughoutUse charts, graphs, images and bullets; be

creative but professional; graphs should not be to big

Submission RequirementsOn day of presentation, submit the

following:ReportCopy of slides

Print 6 to a page; needed for reference only