Case Study Inputs

ase Study

What are the various skills under the scanner in a Case Study?
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A case study, just like a group discussion, is designed to assess
certain group performance skills of the individual. The difference
stems from the fact that a Case Study tests a larger and slightly
different skill set as compared to a normal group discussion. The
following is a list of special traits, which the evaluators look for
while assessing a candidate.

Analytical Skills:
The core competence of an MBA is analysis of the situation: breaking
down data, formulating it into a pattern that makes sense and deriving
a sensible conclusion or recommendation. You should display this skill
through efficient, targeted and accurate piecing together of the data
while wrestling the group towards a solution to the case. After
self-analysis, you should clearly and logically present the findings
and recommendations for the group to discuss further.

Quantitative Skills:
Some case studies involve working with numbers to reach an effective
solution. In that situation, a quick calculation on a rough sheet to
present the relevant figures for the group will make you stand in a
very good light with the evaluator.

Flexibility:
This refers to the ability of the candidate to consider the opposing
point of view in light of the facts/figures presented in the case.
There is no single solution to the case and thus a flexible candidate
should not leave out good options in his analysis even if they were
presented with an opposing point of view.

Leadership Skills:
Leadership is demonstrated by taking charge of the discussion and
trying to achieve a consensus solution.This consensus solution need
not be the best one according to you; instead it should aim to
incorporate all viewpoints.

Presentation/Communication Skills:
Like in group discussion, effective communication forms an integral
part of a case study too. The skills tested are articulation in
presentation, fluency, body language, eye contact and coherence.
Remember: When you're speaking, slow down and smile. It's always
better to take a very small pause rather than babble!

Behavioral/Personality traits:
The personality traits being evaluated are: attitude, controlled
aggression, team membership, patience, amenability and assertiveness.

Goal Orientation:
This parameter is evaluated through the candidate's willingness to
arrive at a solution and intelligent use of other's content.

Confidence:
Last but not the least, the level of confidence, proactiveness and
action orientation form an important part of a candidate's

Suggest an action plan to handle the challenges in a case study.
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MBA entrance case study

Cases are certain illustrative situations depicting the profile and
context of any problem. To make sure you are able to handle a case
study successfully, it is important to be able to identify and develop
a strategy. Case Studies require a more analytical approach than a
group discussion. Generally, the questions asked at the end of the
case study are a "trap" for the students. The symptoms should not be
mistaken for the root problem.

The following action plan should enable you to sail your way past the
case study with ease.

Situation/Context Analysis :
The first step in a case analysis is to go over the case line-by-line
and jot down the relevant points, facts and figures. The aim of this
exercise is to capture the crux of the case in brief. Both the
internal as well as the external factors relevant to the organization
should be elucidated. This analysis provides a shape for things to
come in further analysis. The factors external to the organization
comprise things like level of competition, market share, raw material
prices, tight labour market conditions, price-cutting, customer
preferences etc. The factors internal to the organization comprise
mainly of its labour policies, dispute-redressal systems, project
approval schemes, marketing strategy, capacity expansions etc.

The 'PACER' format for Case Analysis:
This standard format is applicable to most of the case studies that
you would be required to tackle. Some minor variations might be needed
depending on the specific situation. It might not always be possible
to fit the entire format to a specific case; however, an attempt
should be made to incorporate as much as possible. It usually helps to
write down the format headings on a sheet of paper and then fill in
the details


P- Problem Definition:
The problem should ideally be defined in a crisp, single line
incorporating the most important decision issue to be solved in the
case. It helps to be quantitative at this stage to have a better grasp
of the problem. An important thing to remember is not to mistake the
symptoms for the root problem. For example a falling market share or a
decline in sales is, invariably, a symptom while the real problem may
lie with the nature of the industry or the quality of the product.
A- Alternatives Generation:
The next step is to list down the various alternatives to resolve the
problem and achieve the objectives set out in the case study. At this
stage, all the alternatives that come to mind should be listed even if
an alternative provides only a part solution to the problem at hand.
Sometimes, this part solution can be later combined with some other
alternative to provide a complete solution.
C- Criteria for evaluation of alternatives:
List down the parameters that are important to the solution of the
problem at hand. These parameters can be profitability, growth in
market share, image, sales etc.
E- Evaluate the alternatives:
This stage uses the criteria to evaluate the various alternatives
generated earlier.The positive and negative aspects of each
alternative are to be kept in mind while evaluating the alternatives.
R- Recommendations:
At the end of the analysis, provide recommendations to resolve the
situation. Also look at short-term as well as long-term implications
of the recommendations in solving the problem.

What are the popular "Do's" and "Don'ts" in a case study?
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Things to do:

Take time to analyze and think through the case.
Weigh the pros and cons and various trade-offs between two or more choices
Break down the complex problem into small, distinct pieces to enable
better articulation
Listen attentively, even to conflicting ideas, as they might provide
part solution to the problem
Summarize the analysis periodically
Be consistent, and not monotonous

Things NOT to do:

Jump to a conclusion at the start
Worry about speaking all the time
Worry about not having specific industry knowledge
Worry if you are not able to completely solve the case. Remember - The
structure of thoughts is as important as the final result.

Source : Bull's Eye