CASE STUDY

Suggested Outline in Solving Business Cases

1. Time Context
2. Viewpoint
3. Central Problem
4. Statement of Objectives
a. Must Objectives
b. Want Objectives
5. Areas of Consideration
a. External Environment
i. Threats
ii. Opportunities
b. Internal Environment
i. Strengths
ii. Weakness
6. Alternative Courses of Action 5.0 Areas of Consideration
7. Final Decision When the student has determined what he considers to be the
8. Detailed Action Plan central problem and has stated his objectives, he must proceed to
organize the facts around the possible causes of the central
Outline Details problem or malady.
1.0 Time Context This requires the separation of the unimportant areas from the
Specify the time context (month and year) if case facts are explicit significant and the irrelevant from the relevant.
about it. The external environment must be assessed for opportunities and
The time context should tell us when the problem was observed threats. Likewise, the internal environment must be looked into for
which required the necessity of an action. strengths and weakness.
A business problem will have different solutions, under different
political and economic environments. 6.0 Alternative Courses of Action
Alternatives are collections of the best ways of meeting the
2.0 Viewpoint individual objectives.
In solving a business problem, the student must specify the In some cases, the alternatives are clear. In others, the student
viewpoint he is taking. must invent alternatives appropriate to the problem at hand.
Given a business problem the President of a company will most And student must not remain content with predetermined
likely have a different approach or solution from those of other alternatives. He must strive for new and better solutions.
company officers, or from those of a consultant. Alternatives must be mutually exclusive. Take each alternative and
It is preferred that the student take the viewpoint of the final measure it individually against each of the must and want
decision maker of the functional area concerned. objectives, separately. Discard an alternative that fails to perform
what a must objective requires.
3.0 Central Problem Alternatives that satisfy all must objectives must be evaluated
A problem is a deviation or an imbalance between what “should further against the want objectives. The advantages and
be” and what “actually is” happening. Thihs imbalance is caused disadvantages or the pros and cons of each alternative must be
by a change of one kind or another. A problem could be answered clearly stated, if this is done well, the choice of the best alternative
by the question, “What is wrong that needs correcting?” would be easier.
A business case may contain a variety of issues or problems from The student must first make a tentative choice of the alternative
the trivial to the significant, from the irrelevant to the relevant. which seems best to him.
The student should focus his attention on the key or central Assess the possible adverse consequences of the alternative
problem which will eventually result in the elimination of other decision.
peripheral problems. Look for promising areas where trouble could occur if the decision
is implemented.
4.0 Statement of Objectives For each prospective serious trouble area, the student should set
Objectives are specifications by which to develop alternative up corresponding preventive and contingency actions.
courses of action. These must be realistic, achievable, and If prospective serious trouble areas could not be prevented, review
whenever possible, quantifiable. other alternatives for final action.
These are statements or functions to be performed or fulfilled b y
the course of action. 7.0 Final Decision
The student must now make a final decision. He must be decisive.
4.1 Must Objectives He must not evade making a final choice of the alternative which
These objectives set the limits that cannot be violated by any seems best to him.
alternative course of action. In action, or a status quo position is no decision.
These objectives are of absolute importance to the success of the
decision and the survival of the organization. 8.0 Detailed Action Plan
These objectives are absolute importance of the success of the Make a detailed action plan to insure the success of the decision.
decision, and the survival of the organization. The actions and strategies to be taken must consider the problems
and objectives stated earlier in the case with the end of view of
4.2 Want Objectives solving the problems. And achieving the objectives.
These objectives do not set absolute limits but express relative The plan of action must show:
desirability. a) The activities
They are of relative importance to the success of the decision but b) Timetables of programs
less than absolute. c) Action officers responsible for implementing the plan
d) The budget

DR. EMERSON G. CABUDOL

egcabudol@ceu.edu.ph