A Guide to Case Analysis
According to the dictionary case analysis is one of the most general and applicable methods of analytical thinking, depending only on the division of a problem, decision or situation into a sufficient number of separate cases. In this particular article the author talks about why cases are used to practice strategic management, the objectives of case analysis, preparing a case for class discussion, participating in class discussion of a case, preparing a written case analysis, preparing the oral presentation, researching companies via the Internet, and the ten commandments of case analysis.
When it comes to case are used to practice strategic management because cases provide you with detailed information about conditions and problems of different industries and companies, your task of analyzing company after company and situation after situation has the twin benefit of boosting your analytical skills and exposing you to the ways companies and managers actually do things.
The objectives of case analysis are increase your understanding of what managers should and should not do in guiding a business to success. Build your skills in sizing up company resource strengths and weaknesses and in conducting strategic analysis in a variety of industries and competitive situations. Get valuable practice in identifying strategic issues that need to be addressed, evaluating strategic alternatives, and formulating workable plans of action. Enhance your sense of business judgment, as opposed to uncritically accepting the authoritative crutch of the professor or "back-of-the-book" answers. Gaining in-depth exposure to different industries and companies, thereby acquiring something close to actual business experience.
When preparing for a c ...