5 Step Process For Analyzing Class Cases from Chapter 14
Step 1
Offer a brief historical analysis of the case. Issues to be included may be:
What is the ownership structure of the firm, and how does it impact management structure and behavior? (Public versus private firm, is CEO firm founder/primary stockholder, etc…)
Who are the major decision-makers acting in the case?
Who are the main stakeholders involved in the case?
What is the time frame being evaluated in the case?
Step 2
Identify the primary problem/problems involved in the case. Be sure to differentiate between symptoms and problems and understand that most cases have multiple, interrelated problems. Also understand you may have to start Analysis in Step 3 to identify all the problems present in the case.
Step 3
Using the analytical tools from class, analyze the external and internal environment. Tools to be employed include (see for more information on these tools):
External Environment- PEST Analysis, Porter’s 5 Forces, Strategic Group Analysis, Industry Financial Data Trends.
Internal Environment- VIRO Analysis, Value Chain Analysis, Firm Financial Data Trends.
Use tools to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for SWOT Analysis.
Step 4
Apply TOWS Matrix to identify combinations of S-O, S-T, W-O, and W-T strategies. Out of the developed strategies, recommend the most applicable strategies for the problems facing the firm.
Step 5
Out of the recommended strategies, select the one/two combined, compatible strategies with the best chance of addressing firm problem/s. Also make recommendations about:
How the formulated strategies specifically address the identified problems.
How the formulated strategies should be implemented.
How evaluation and control recommendations about performance measures will help identify when strategic improvements start.
Remember,
You are responsible for turning in a 2 ½ to 3 page report documenting how you applied these steps as a group to analyze your case. You’ll also be doing a 15-20 minute oral report supported by Powerpoint slides to present to your classmates. You are acting as an outside consulting group presenting findings to the case firm’s Top Management Team and Board of Directors.