9 Stages of Critical Thinking Skills/Problem Solving

Module/Decision Making Module

Case Study Analysis Steps

1. Identification of the Problem: Identify ONLY ONE

problem from the case study clearly and specifically in a
single sentence. There may be multiple problems in the
case study but we will consider only ONE.

2. Establishment of the Problem- Write the

reasons/justifications for identifying the problem, pulled
out from the case study. NO Assumptions. Each point in
validation should establish the problem objectively and
consistently. These may be pieces of pertinent information
from the case study or interpretations made.

3. Objective related to the problem- Write the

objective/purpose for doing the above identification of the
problem. What will you achieve by doing the analysis?
Eg., To overcome the problem

4. Generation of Alternatives – Write all the options and

alternatives (4-5) that can be used to resolve the problem as
mentioned by you in Step 1.
 5. Development of Criteria – Write the parameters (3-4)
that can be used to evaluate and compare all the above
stated alternatives.

6. Evaluation of Alternatives Against Criteria-

Evaluate each alternative against each criterion in detail.
This is the main part of the analysis. Each alternative will
either SATISFY or NOT SATISFY each criterion and
why? Eg.,

Criterion 1 Criterion 2 Criterion 3 Total

Alternative Satisfy Not satisfy satisfy 2
1
Alternative Satisfy Satisfy Satisfy 3
2
Alternative Not satisfy Not satisfy Satisfy 1
3
Alternative Not satisfy Not satisfy Not satisfy 0
4

Explain why a certain alternative will satisfy or not satisfy

the criterion.
Criteria is plural
Criterion is singular

7. Prioritisation of Alternatives – On the basis of the

above mentioned evaluation, list down all the alternatives
in their order of priority. The first priority is for the
alternative that satisfies maximum number of criteria.
Eg.,
Priority 1 = Alternative 2
Priority 2 = Alternative1
Priority 3 = Alternative 3
Priority 4 = Alternative 4

8. Action Plan – The first prioritized alternative in Step 7

becomes the Action Plan. Eg., Alternative 2. Write down
steps of implementation here in detail.

9. Contingency Plan – the second best prioritized

alternative in Step 7 is the back up or the contingency plan.
Eg., alternative 1