Appendix B: Case Study Preparation HOW TO PREPARE A CASE STUDY REPORT Each case is designed to focus on a certain category of problems and issues and typically should be analyzed with its associated discussion topics in mind (although the connection may not be very clear in some instances). It is important to realize that there is no one best way to prepare a case but the following approach may help you develop your own method: 1. Go through the case very quickly the first time, asking yourself the following questions: a. "Why is this case significant?" b. "What is the case really about?" c. "What types of information am I being given to analyze?" 2. Reread the case very carefully, identifying key facts as you go. Identify the key players. Try to put yourself in the position of these key players and develop a sense of involvement in their problems and issues. 3. List the critical problems and issues. This is easier said than done. Often what initially appears to be a problem is actually a symptom of an underlying problem. The key issues are often hard to see at first but it is important for you to clearly identify the fundamental problem(s) and issue(s). Reduce the list of issues and problems to the three most important. This will make the case analysis much easier and drastically reduce the size of your problem and issue list. Then review the case again, sorting out the relevant considerations for each problem or issue area. Ask yourself, "What has been done right and/or wrong? What should or should not have been done?" Develop a clear statement for each critical problem and issue and justify why these are the most important ones the manager or organization has to face. Remember this is organizational information systems class so don't get side tracked into other areas. 4. Develop a set of realistic recommendations for addressing your critical issues. This must be supported by the analysis of case. Justify these recommendations; demonstrate how they will solve, mitigate or address the problem and issue areas you have identified; and consider how your recommendations can be implemented. 5. Case analyses should be a maximum of 3 pages (see course syllabus) in length unless directed otherwise. Your write-up may take whatever form you wish but it must be well organized, clearly state and discuss the problem and issue areas you have identified, discuss and justify your recommendation, and present a realistic approach for implementation. Make sure you have done an analysis of the key issues presented in the case and make sure that you have answered the questions. Rehashing the case and/or listing numerous minor details is not acceptable, nor is restating the case author's conclusions. Remember that you need to focus on the organizational and issues in the case; in other words, don't turn your assignment into a computer systems technology analysis. A format that seems to work very well for many students is: Introduction Brief statement of purpose, identification of key players, and listing of issues Key Issue 1 Clear statement followed by justification of importance and discussion Key Issue 2 Clear statement followed by justification of importance and discussion Key Issue 3 Clear statement followed by justification of importance and discussion Conclusions and Recommendations Integrate the material you have presented for your critical issues. Develop a clear and justifiable overall course of action for the key players to take. Note -all written work must be done on a computer, be double spaced (unless specified otherwise), have 1 inch margins, and use 12 point font. Written work will be graded on content (i.e., grammar, spelling, organization, etc.). Late work is not accepted without prior authorization.
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