Step 1 - Research the Case Background
Try to read the case at least two times, maybe more; the first time through should involve familiarizing yourself with the basic situation. You will be given some focus questions intended to help you and should think about why the case was assigned now.
The firs step is often to list what you know and what gaps you need to fill in. These guidelines can help you with your research.
Some Questions to Consider
Here are some standard questions that you might keep in mind:
- What are the "ideal" outcomes? What is an ideal future condition? Are there different outcomes that people desire?
- What is the current status quo? Sometimes identifying where you are can help you figure out the path to where you need to go.
- Who are the key people? Who are the decision makers?
- What are the constraints on the actions of key people? What demands are imposed by the situation? Are they economic, personal, professional or due to some other factor? Remember, not even a president is all powerful, but must usually answer to a board or an electorate at some point.
- What documents, specifications, data or testimony have been given to you? Will you be able to find them in the future? What additional data would you like to have? Can you get it?
- What information is lacking? If you had the chance to talk to interview the critical players, what would you want to know? Who would most likely have the information you need?
- Do you know the timeline of critical events? This can be important down the line.
- Can you define the critical problem yet? Sometimes the immediate problem is only a symptom of a deeper problem.
Flowcharting
If you find the body of facts very overwhelming, you may want to consider developing written reference notes such as a written summary or flowchart depending on your preferences. Such documents could be in the form of:
- a written summary of the case
- a diagram connecting people, data and events
- a data spreadsheet
- an outline or list of facts, people and events
- a daily journal or lab notebook
- an archival Web site or Blog
- any format or combination of formats that works for you
Evaluating Evidence
You may want to make sure you examine the data at least two times to be sure you understood everything. Cases which involve conflict with different actors provide can present data which seems to be conflicting because different parties provide selective information and suggested courses of action to support their claims. Most cases involve considerable background information of varying relevance to the decision at hand. As in real life, you must decide what information is relevant and sort through conflicting evidence.
For controversial issues, you should determine your source and decide if it is a biased source.
Some Evaluation Criteria
- Identify the source for each piece of data, document or testimony. Does the source have an interest in the case or it is from an objective party?
- Is the data or testimony first hand or second hand?
- Does it seem reliable to you? Do the numbers add up? Can it be confirmed by other sources?
- How and why was the data or testimony collected? Who collected it?
It is not uncommon to feel paralyzed by all the available information. But detailing and documenting data can help you find patterns that are not otherwise obvious.
General Considerations
As you read the case keep the following in mind.
- All behavior is makes sense to the actor - behavior that may seem strange, or "irrational" to you will be reasonable to the person doing it. The key is to find out why that person is doing it.
- Some experts/citizens/workers may have been dealing with the situation for years. Remember to take their views seriously.
- Separate the facts from opinion as much as possible.
- Distinguish between what people say versus what they do, this can be a key diagnostic.
- Separate symptoms from underlying causes.
- Avoid premature judgments and solutions.
Discussing the Case
After reading a case, it can really help to discuss it with other students in your group and/or class. This will give you a chance to test your ideas on others and learn about other perspectives related to the case.
If you are part of a case team, you will not only need to discuss the case, but brainstorm solutions and propose a final solution or action. You should consider yourselves a team of colleagues that has been asked to work together to solve a challenging problem. This requires well-prepared team members to push ideas and support them. Other members will mention ideas you hadn't thought of and you should be prepared to change your opinions and incorporate new ideas when you find them persuasive. Try to build up your ideas based on the comments of others.
Don't be afraid to be wrong or challenged. Remember that no case would be worth discussing if it were simple and straightforward.