SMGT4470 Individual Midterm Case Analysis [25%]
FALL 2021–Face-to-Face Delivery
Guidelines and Rubric
OVERVIEW:
CHOOSE to write about one case à either CostcoorReviving One Woman Campaign[found in your CaseCoursepack]
Proper case format, including headings and sectionswill be required. The length should not exceed 3000 words [8-12 pages double-spaced, 12 point font, exclusive of title page, table of contents, and exhibits]. As indicated in the Course Planning Calendar, the case is due via dropbox:
Inclusion of the relevant quantitative data is essential, but this cannot be exactly specified as each case is different. Tables and appendices for the quantitative data are expected with the case hand-ins. Grammar, format and sentence structure are also important part of grading of the hand-in cases. Grammar and composition are part of communication and proper communication is important. Do not expect to get “correct answers” for the cases. They do not exist!
Please review the “Resources for Solving Cases” documents provided on Moodle prior to writing your midterm case. Regardless of the peculiar characteristics of the case, solving and writing a case follows a general method, as described below.
CASE HAND-IN CHECKLIST:
- Title Page
- Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Issue Statement
- Identify the decision maker who has to address these issues.
- Identify the main problems [or issues] facing the organisation and describe the context of the problem. This includes all of the immediate issues presented in the case and any other basic issues that you feel should be examined as well.
- Primary and secondary issues, describe which ones you will be addressing
- Data Analysis
- Use the most appropriate “case analysis tool” [e.g. SWOT, Porter’s, Diamond E, PESTLE, Financial Ratios, Marketing Mix, etc.] à there is a complete list of case analysis tools available to you posted on Moodle
- Perform calculations and generate quantitative data [cash flows, ratios, NPV, etc.] if applicable to case
- Alternatives Analysis
- Examine the alternatives [at least 3] that appear to be suited to the organisation, including those presented in the case or suggested in the case and any others that you believe are appropriate.
- Evaluate and analyse these potential alternatives, including pros and cons of each
- Select and list relevant decision criteria
- Answer the questions: What are the objectives or strategy of the organization?What is important to you as the decision maker?Make this section the bulk of your analysis.
- Reference any exhibits in the text! Note that if exhibits are included but not referenced or are just direct quotes from the case, they are not acceptable or useful.
- Recommendations
- Based on your analysis, what do you recommend? Why?
- Consider using a “Decision Matrix” to flush out your recommendation based on pre-determined decision criteriaà see “how to use a Decision Matrix” posted on Moodle
- Action and Implementation Plan
- Provide a course of action “best solution”, implementation of the “best solution”, and the creation of controls and contingency plans to ensure the best solution works
- Ensure your action plan is time-bound, detailed and step-by-step – a manager should be able to take your plan and implement your recommendations i.e. run with it!
- Exhibits and Tables
MORE TIPS & TRICKS:
Always remember that you will be judged by the quality of your work, which includes your written work such as case study reports. Sloppy, dis-organized, poor quality work will say more about you than you probably want said! To ensure the quality of your written work, keep the following in mind when writing your report:
- Proof-read your work! Not just on the screen while you write it, but the hard copy after it is printed. Fix the errors before submitting.
- Use spell checker to eliminate spelling errors
- Use grammar checking tools to avoid common grammatical errors such as run-on sentences.
- Note that restating of case facts is not included in the format of the case report, nor is it considered part of analysis. Anyone reading your report will be familiar with the case, and you need only to mention facts that are relevant to [and support] your analysis or recommendation as you need them.
- If you are going to include exhibits [particularly numbers] in your report, you will need to refer to them within the body of your report, not just tack them on at the end. This reference should be in the form of supporting conclusions that you are making in your analysis. The reader should not have to guess why particular exhibits have been included, nor what they mean. If you do not plan to refer to them, then leave them out.
- Write in a formal manner suitable for scholarly work, rather than a letter to a friend.
- Common sense and logical thinking can do wonders for your case study à incorporate all your educational experiences from previous courses and business acumen!
- Proof-read your work! Have someone else read it too [particularly if English is not your first language]. This second pair of eyes will give you an objective opinion of how well your case study holds together.
