Step 4 - Select Solution

Some Criteria

In most assignments, there is usually no one "flawless" solution. All solutions have costs and benefits. Identify pros and cons of each alternative; evaluate relative to goals and objectives; look at main and side effects. You may have to make inferences and judgments but as long as you have good reasons supported by data from cases and relevant external sources for your inferences, they will be as sound as possible.

In considering the alternatives, you need to be clear on the criteria you will use to evaluate them.

Some evaluation criteria may include:

  1. Address the Problem - Does the alternative address the critical aspect of the problem? What are your objectives? Be specific.
  2. Improve the Situation - How does this solution improve the situation? How much? How long - permanently or temporarily?
  3. Will it work? - What is the probability of success? What are the risks? What happens if the plan fails?
  4. Does it fit? Is the change consistent with the organizational culture? If not, will it still be viable?
  5. Remember the Consequences - What are the intended consequences? What are some unintended possible consequences? How will your decision improve the situation?
  6. Think of Resources - What does the plan depend on in terms of money, people, authority, equipment? What are the costs? What power and control is needed?

The Case Realities

Remember that:

  1. You will often not have all the information you would like.
  2. There is rarely one "right" answer - more than one solution may be possible.
  3. One of most critical yet mos difficult aspect of case analysis may be identifying the problem, BUT you may never be sure you have identified the real problem.
  4. Accept that cases and actual management situations often involve:
    1. ambiguous situations
    2. multiple causality
    3. inadequate information
    4. no one elegant solution
  5. Acknowledge that personal values play a role in many situations
  6. Some problems may have "no solution", but it's important to do the analysis.
  7. Try to imagine "living" with the problem and your recommendations. Would this be what you would want someone else to do?

    Do the best that you can and make a reasonable proposal on what you do know.

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