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The Case Study Approach | Writing a Case Solution - Part 3
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We hope that you have read the Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.
How to write a Case-based solution
Please note that it is just a guidance, which will help you to structure your thoughts in a logical manner. However, you should prepare a presentation in a structured way; you can derive it in the following lines:
Characteristics of a persuasive solution
An ideal solution answers three questions; what, why and how?
Make a position statement first, concluding your solution (what).
Use evidence to persuade the reader (why).
Finally, provide an action plan describing your suggestions elaborately (how).
Elements of an action plan
Set goals based on the argument you made as a position statement
Addresses the actionable content of the argument
Consists of specific steps
Has realistic short-term and long-term steps
Identifies and responds to the major risk of the plan
Types of solutions
Abstractly, we can categorize the majority of solutions in three ways. Practice with these abstract methods with more cases; try to evolve your own concrete method for approaching the cases. There is no predetermined format or structure for a case. Try to devise relevant structure with proper headings; choose a customized structure based on the questions asked for every case. Identification of the type of solution is an art; not every person will identify a case as the same type; but, after deciding the type, try to follow the structure. It will help you structure the thoughts. Consequently, you will be able to prepare and present effectively.
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Problem solutions
In a basic type of a case, where you should identify problems; categorize vitality of problems, and recommend a solution to the major problem(s).
Structure of a problem solution
Problem definition
Diagnosis
Proof of causes
Action plan
Planning Template for a Problem Solution |
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This template will help you build a problem solution. It follows the organization of a problem essay, but you don’t have to use it in that order. The important thing is to capture your ideas as they occur to you. Position statement: Problem and Diagnosis. State the problem of the case. Try to state it in a single sentence and then expand it in a few more sentences – if they are necessary. Then summarize the diagnosis: the primary causes of the problem. The terms of the diagnosis should reflect the frameworks you are using. (Note: You can’t start work on the position statement until you have a tentative recommendation and at least one reason for it. You can revise the statement as you work.)
Proof of Diagnosis List the primary causes of the problem and note the evidence for each. Identify the fewest number of causes that account for most of the problem. Be sure to use the appropriate frameworks. Note action steps as they occur to you. Don’t be concerned about the order of the steps.
Action Plan The general purpose of a decision action plan is to implement the decision as effectively as possible. Goal(s). State the goal(s) of the plan – the major outcome(s) the steps are supposed to bring about.
Action Steps. Write the steps of the plan without worrying too much about their order. When you finish, write numbers in the first column to indicate the final chronological order of the steps. The second column can help you think about steps as part of phases of the overall plan (e.g., consensus, communication, and improvement).
Major Risks and Responses. Identify the major risks that could undermine the plan. Propose responses that will eliminate or contain it.
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Table 1 Planning Template for Problem Solution
Extension in problem solutions, where you should identify problems; categorize vitality of problems; state options and recommend the best one. Two ways to structure a decision solution:
State-and-prove order
Recommended decision
Decision options
Decision criteria
Proof of recommended option
Critique of options
Action plan
Prove-and-state order
Decision options
Decision criteria
Critique of other options
Proof of remaining option
Recommended decision
Action plan
Planning Templates for a Decision Solution |
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These templates will help you build a decision solution. The first template uses the state-and-prove model. The second uses the prove-and-state model. (See the above explanation of the two models.) You don’t have to follow the order of the templates. The important thing is to capture your ideas as they occur to you. State-and-Prove Model Proof Position statement: Recommended decision. State the decision you are recommending and summarize the reasons for it. Be brief! (Note: You can’t start work on the position statement until you have a tentative recommendation and at least one reason for it. You can revise the statement as you work.)
Decision Options. List the decision options. They are usually stated in the case.
Decision Criteria. State the decision criteria. They should be relevant, broad rather than narrow, and as few as possible. Specific ways to measure the criteria may be needed. Note them in the second column.
Proof of Recommended Option. List the criteria in the left column and the evidence they reveal that supports your recommendations. Focus on the strongest evidence you have.
Critique of Options. List the criteria in the left column and the evidence they reveal that shows the other options should be rejected. Limit yourself to only the most compelling evidence against the option.
Major Disadvantages of Recommendation. List the one or two major disadvantages of your recommendation, any evidence that is needed to prove them, and how to mitigate them. (If you are writing an exam and running out of time, skip this!)
Action Plan The general purpose of a decisive action plan is to implement the decision as effectively as possible. Goal(s). State the goal(s) of the plan – the major outcome(s) the steps are supposed to bring about.
Action Steps. Write the steps of the plan without worrying too much about their order. When you finish, write numbers in the first column to indicate the final chronological order of the steps. The second column can help you think about steps as part of phases of the overall plan (e.g., consensus, communication, and improvement).
Major Risks and Responses. Identify the major risks that could undermine the plan. Propose responses that will eliminate or contain it.
Prove-and-State Model Proof Decision Options. List the decision options. They are usually stated in the case.
Decision Criteria. State the decision criteria. They should be relevant, broad rather than narrow, and as few as possible. Specific ways to measure the criteria may be needed. Note them in the second column.
Critique of Options. List the criteria in the left column and the evidence they reveal that shows the other options should be rejected. Limit yourself to only the most compelling evidence against the option.
Proof of Recommended Option. List the criteria in the left column and the evidence they reveal that supports your recommendations. Focus on the strongest evidence you have.
Position statement: Recommended decision. State the decision you are recommending and summarize the reasons for it. Be brief! (Note: You can’t start work on the position statement until you have a tentative recommendation and at least one reason for it. You can revise the statement as you work.)
Major Disadvantages of Recommendation. List the one or two major disadvantages of your recommendation, any evidence that is needed to prove them, and how to mitigate them. (If you are writing an exam and running out of time, skip this!)
Action Plan The general purpose of a decisive action plan is to implement the decision as effectively as possible. Goal(s). State the goal(s) of the plan – the major outcome(s) the steps are supposed to bring about.
Action Steps. Write the steps of the plan without worrying too much about their order. When you finish, write numbers in the first column to indicate the final chronological order of the steps. The second column can help you think about steps as part of phases of the overall plan (e.g., consensus, communication, and improvement).
Major Risks and Responses. Identify the major risks that could undermine the plan. Propose responses that will eliminate or contain it.
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Table 2 Planning Templates for Decision Solution
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Evaluation solutions
Extension of decision solutions, where you should identify problems, categorise vitality of problems; state possible options; recommend the best option; based on evaluation or calculations.
Elements of an evaluation solution
Bottom-line evaluation
Evaluation criteria
Proof of the evaluation
Qualifications
Action plan
Planning Template for an Evaluation Solution |
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This template will help you build an evaluation solution. It follows the organization of an evaluation essay, but you don’t have to use it in that order. The important thing is to capture your ideas as they occur to you. Position Statement: Bottom-line Judgement State your overall evaluation, the most significant positive and negative factors, and any qualifications. Be brief! The statement can be revised as you work. (Note: You can’t start work on the position statement until you have some confidence in your bottom-line judgement.)
Evaluation Criteria State the evaluation criteria. They should be relevant, broad rather than narrow, and as few as possible. Specific ways to measure the criteria may be needed. Note them in the second column.
Proof of the Evaluation List positive and negative factors the criteria reveal and the evidence for them. The points can be revised and rearranged as you work. If any criteria seem to have ambiguous results, note those. In the essay, order positive and negative factors to support your position statement. Also, note any ideas for action steps.
Qualifications Qualifications state factors not part of the evaluation that have a significant effect on it. A summary of the qualifications should be included in the position statement.
Action Plan The general purpose of an evaluation action plan is to improve the negative factors and enhance the positive. For the assessment of an act such as decision, the action plan can be an implementation plan that reflects the findings of the evaluation. Goal(s). State the goal(s) of the plan – the major outcome(s) the steps are supposed to bring about.
Action Steps. Write the steps of the plan without worrying too much about their order. When you finish, write numbers in the first column to indicate the final chronological order of the steps. The second column can help you think about steps as part of phases of the overall plan (e.g., consensus, communication, and improvement).
Major Risks and Responses. Identify the major risks that could undermine the plan. Propose responses that will eliminate or contain it.
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Table 3 Planning Template for Evaluation Solution
The End.
Courtesy: Dipan Mewada
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