Feedback Session

Case Assignment 1

Games Colabs
Learning Objectives
• To consolidate our learning from Term I

• To reinforce our conceptual learning about how to analyse a case;

• To write one’s own agenda for improvement;

• To prepare an action plan for improved learning – includes both

technical elements as well as professional competencies e.g. logical
reasoning, analytical skills, writing skills
Learning that we seek to reinforce through
application in case analysis report
Writing Skill Logical Reasoning Concepts about Case Analysis For
Decision Making
writing sentences Alignment between different What is situational analysis?
parts of the writing What does it contain
How to write a problem statement?
What are objectives and how are they
written, etc.
organising information Drawing patterns, making How does a problem statement follow
meaning, role of annotation from SA? How do objectives emerge
from the diagnosis?
writing paragraphs drawing inferences (inductive How to choose between options? What
and deductive logic) is judgement and trade off

structured presentation, Synthesising / integration

message construction
Case Analysis - The desired Learning
• Situation diagnosis – reading and understanding facts, related scattered
facts, integration to arrive at a meaning (annotation, drawing inferences)
• Problem identification – flowing from diagnosis
• Decision objectives – emerge from the diagnosis

• Alternative courses of action for addressing the identified and stated

problem - Options (and their evaluation)
• The preferred action – decision that helps to address the problem while
meeting most of the objectives; alignment between problem, objectives and
decision
Three learning Dimensions
• Thought process –domain knowledge

• Presentation of thought - writing skill, structuring messages

• Professional self -development – application of method, working

within a time frame, original work
Executive Summary – Example 1
Ben Reichert and Joseph Darnell met in an entrepreneurial event and came up
with a plan to open a start up for the Indie Game Developers. They came up
with a solution to follow the lean start up methodologies. Their strategy
involved 2 options either going with what they are doing i.e. co-working
space or upgrading to startup incubator. After few months of operation they
started facing issues with rent agreement, revenue, lack of orders. Case
discusses the options and alternatives available with them.
Executive Summary – Example 2
Reichert and Darnell started a co-working space. Initially business was successful
but later they faced problems – decline in membership, rent hike lead to transition in
physical space. They also had an opportunity to develop indie games for corporates,
having greater growth potential. Problem was to continue their business model,
pivot or to shift to new opportunity. Options available is to continue with same
model, reform current strategy or to adopt new opportunity with existing CoLab.
Best decision is to go for new opportunity along with managing CoLab. This solves
the problem of revenue growth rate and keep intact original objective.
Loooong Case
This is an information heavy case.
How to shorten the SA?

• Segregating facts

• Drawing inferences

• Using exhibits

• Connecting all themes

Segregating Facts – making meanings
Indie Game Developers
• Who are they
• What is their need
Background of Darnell and Richert Customer & Market
• Constraints & vulnerabilities
• Entrepreneurs, software • Who is the customer
• Will they respond to this initiative
professionals • What does he want
• Interested in game development • Does he have a need
• Idea of co-working space • Which customer offers higher
potential
• How is the market changing

Business Model
Co-working space
• Lean start up
• Lean canvas Concept
• Minimum viable product Features
Financial viability issues
facilities
Membership
Revenue model
Funding opportunities
Problem Statement - Examples
• Short term problem is to del with decline in membership and transition
in physical location
• Whereas major problem is to decide whether to continue with this
model and to what extent focus on indie game development
opportunity
• _______________________________________________________
• The major problem colab faced is declining membership
• _____________________________________________________
Problem Statement - Example
• Revenue growth as most of developers opted for $50 slab and very
few went for higher range
• They were paying month-month rent which posed a problem when the
landlord decided to hike the rent as it was not budged
• Decision to pivot between the larger clients or the indie game
developers
• Providing a stable environment for the developers
General Observation – conceptual learning
• SA: case facts not considered, inferences missing, summary instead of diagnosis

• PS – Precise / Specificity not present

• SMART objectives- still conceptual clarity missing
• E of O: Substantive evaluation missing, considering objectives, inter option
evaluation missing
• Decision – merely stated, justification
• CP – Descriptive justification given
• Exhibits – References missing in the main report; limited use of exhibits done; no
title or number
General Observation – Writing Skill
• Long sentences
• Disjointed paragraphs