FORMAT IN
SOLVING BUSINESS
CASES
I. TIME CONTEXT
This identifies the time when the problem of
the company needs to be solved.
This is important because the solution of the
problem must be compatible with the time
context of the case.
When time period is not mentioned, it is
assumed that the problem needs to be solved
at present.
* Free template from [Link] 2
II. VIEW POINT
This section identifies whose point of view the
group is taking when solving the case.
Format shall be name and position title of the
person whose view point the group is taking.
The group must make sure that they always
take the top management viewpoint.
- Case study is a responsibility of people in
management
-somebody who can see the forest not only
the tree
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III. VISION-MISSION-STATEMENT
This section identifies the organization's
vision, mission and values based on the facts
of the case.
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IV. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY APPLICATIONS
This section discusses the firm's social
responsibility project, activities, and
undertakings.
- What is the company doing to serve the
community, society and country?
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V. STATEMENT of THE PROBLEM
This section identifies the basic root problem of the
case.
It must be written in interrogative format.
Concentrate on the higher-thinking questions.
There must be one and only one basic root problem.
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VI. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES
This answers the question: What do you want the
company to accomplish upon solving the case?
This must be written in infinitive format and
classified as Long-Term and Short Term.
Use SMART Objectives- specific, measurable,
attainable, realistic and time-bound.
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VII. SWOT ANALYSIS
This section analyzes the Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats of the business based on
case facts.
Strength- it is something that a company is good at
doing. A quality that produces a competitive
advantage for the company.(controllable, positive,
IE)
Examples: high technical expertise, good
management-labor relations, outstanding leadership,
clean corporate image
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Weakness- it is something that a firm lacks. It
is a quality that puts the company at a
disadvantage. ( negative, controllable, IE)
Examples: uncooperative workers,
inconsistent policies, poor planning, low
employee morale, poor product quality
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Opportunity- it is a factor in the external
environment that is expected to work
favorably towards company's operations.
(positive, uncontrollable, EE)
Examples: stable political leadership, strong
confidence of investors, increase in
purchasing power
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Threat- it is a factor in the external
environment that is expected to have a
negative effect on company's operations.
(negative, uncontrollable, EE)
Examples: political unrest, piracy, substitute
products, oil price hike
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VIII. ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION
This enumerates the possible solutions to the
problem
Alternatives must solve the problem
There must be at least 3 alternatives
They must be equally desirable
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[Link] CRITERIA
The alternatives are weighed using the criteria
identified by the decision maker.
Examples:
Costs, Risks, Difficulty of Implementation, Benefits,
Time, etc.
Each alternative is given ranks or points depending
on each of the different criteria identified.
There must be at least 3 criteria that are relevant to
the decisions that will be made.
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[Link] CRITERIA
Weights may also be assigned to the different criteria
to show their importance.
Example:
Costs – 30%
Risks – 20%
Difficulty of Implementation – 20%
Benefits – 20%
Time – 10%
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[Link] STATEMENT
This section states the final decision of the group.
There must be one and only one final choice.
This must explain what alternative was chosen, why
it was chosen, and why not the others.
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XI. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
-This section discusses the plans of the group
on how to put the decision into action.
-They must start with verbs or action words.
This must be classified as Long-Term
(Strategies) and Short-Term (Tactics and must
be written in enumeration.
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X. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
Use specific and meaningful actions.
Avoid plans like conduct meetings, hire
consultants, etc.
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XI. OTHER PROBLEMS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
-This contains other problems of the company
that need to be solved as well as the proposed
solutions to each and every problem.
-It is presented in columnar form- 2 columns
labeled as Other Problems and
Recommendations
* Free template from [Link] 2