A STUDENT GUIDE TO INTRODUCTORY & FOUNDATION LEVEL CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENTS
Using The 8 Step American Management Association (AMA) Problem Solving And Case Analysis Process
Sally Armstrong, May 2005. Davenport University.
References
Patten, D. (undated). Strategic Case Analysis. Davenport University.
Boone & Kurtz, (2006). Contemporary Business 11th Ed. New York. McGraw-Hill Irwin.
Introduction
Case studies present you with real life scenarios and situations that help to develop your critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills in the relatively safe environment of the classroom. Whether the situation described is fairly straightforward or highly complex, as in upper level courses, the entire problem solving process involves 3 stages and eight steps. However, in introductory or foundation level courses the questions at the end of case studies will typically focus on specific steps in the first two stages. This introductory guide will help you understand and practice all the steps of the process and will ensure that you are well prepared to tackle the more challenging cases in upper level classes when that time comes. It will also help you to become a better problem solver in your domestic, social and working life.
Steps 1-3 – The Problem Identification Stage
Step 1 – Review the case and identify the relevant facts
Problem situations or cases often include extraneous information or irrelevant ‘stuff.’ Therefore, when you are trying to find a solution to a situation or to answer a case question, the first step is to identify the key facts so that you can figure out what is going on before deciding what to do. In advanced courses, this usually involves extensive research but in an introductory ...