GD PI WAT 2014: How to solve Case studies in top B schools; know the key tips

IIMs and other top rated B schools like IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore, IMT Ghaziabad require an admission aspirant to go for discussion on a caselet. According to Dr. Bibek Banerjee, Director IMT Ghaziabad “a caselet is not a solving case but rather an issue (social, political, economic, etc) which students discuss within the group”. Institutes make use of this tool to assess the decision making powers of the aspirants based on their communication and effective leadership skills before allowing admission to them.

What in fact is a Caselet?

Caselet is a type of group discussion exercise. A given issue is discussed in a group to bring out the causes, symptoms and remedy of the case. Participants are expected to present their views analytically and with clarity of thought. A situation in 250-300 words is shared among participants. They are supposed to arrive at skilled decision making after analysing its pros and cons.

Pariticipants are expected to process the information, analyse the cause and prominent points on which remedial course of action is required and then discuss the same effectively and appropriately in the group.

Case studies in top B schools: What is assessed?

The behaviour in the group, communication skill and leadership qualities are assessed in the caselet study test. Evaluators are more or less interested in participants’ skilled analysis, discussion and search for the course of action to the given situation. The more important is logical approach to solve the issue.

Following key skills will be evaluated in this test

1. Are you comfortable in decision making in a given situation.
2. How aptly you analyse the situation with logical approach
3. How much time do you take in arriving at the decision
4. How good you are in taking a correct decision

What should be the right approach?

Approach which can identify the crux of the problem, can logically analyse it and can suggest alternate course of action to solve it, is the right approach.  Know the steps that will lead you to solve it

Step 1: Attentively read the caselet, following the important points
Step 2: Understand the objectives of the organisation
Step 3: Get to the core of the problem and its causes
Step 4: Identify and focus on the obstacles and constraints of the issue in achieving the desired goals
Step 5: Find out the alternatives, analyse them and pick out the relevant ones.
Step 6: Filter all of the alternatives and choose the most appropriate one.
Step 7: Frame the course of action to implement the decision

A few don’ts for caselet exercises

Don’t be anxious and hyper even if you are not able to understand the situation well or unable to identify the problem initially. Read again a little slowly, it will help you understand better.

Do not jump on the conclusions; try to move step by step

Don’t panic, if you are not able to find an appropriate solution. Your analytical skills, logical process in identifying the problem and moving towards their solution will also be weighed.

Do not be in a hurry to speak without arriving at some logical analysis and solution strategy. When you speak, be relevant and to the point.

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Case studies in top B schools: Examples of Case Studies

Example 1(Based on XLRI exam):
Marathe is a Vice President in a construction equipment company in the city of Mumbai. One day, his subordinate Bhonsle requested that Kale, a project manager, be transferred to the Chennai office from the Mumbai office. In Chennai, Kale would work alone as a researcher. Bhonsle gave the following reasons for his request: “Kale is known to frequently fight with his colleagues. Kale is conscientious and dedicated only when working alone. He is friendly with seniors, but refuses to work with colleagues, in a team. He cannot accept criticism and feels hostile and rejected. He is over-bearing and is generally a bad influence on the team”

Marathe called upon Gore, another project manager, and sought further information on Kale. Gore recalled that a former colleague, Lakhote (who was also Kale’s former boss) had made a few remarks on his appraisal report about Kale. In his opinion, Kale was not fit for further promotion as he was emotionally unstable to work in groups though he had seven years of work experience. Lakhote had described Kale as too authoritative to work under anyone. Lakhote had further told Gore that Kale had an ailing wife, and an old mother, who does not want to stay with his wife.

 Q. How do you propose to solve this problem?

Example 2 (Based on Case study at IIM Indore):
In a company C, a woman is facing some problem as she is the only working member in her home. She takes frequent leaves and is quite insincere in her work. She is not able to deliver quality in her work. Her husband is idle and does not support her and asks her to continue her job. She does kitchen work, takes care of her kids and also works in the office. You are the manager of this company, so how will you solve her problem.

Example 3 (Based on case study at IIM Indore):
Rameshwar has been working with ABC Co. Ltd. for the last five years and has been rated as one of the efficient workers on the job. One day he is caught with a small value stolen item while leaving the duty. The management is in a predicament. What should it do?

Example 4 (Based on caselet in IIM Ahmedabad):
A handicraft company is suffering heavy losses and its sales have dipped substantially. You are the head of the team and have to discuss various reasons for the same. The team is also supposed to suggest possible solution to the identified problems.

Example 5 (Based on XLRI exam):
It was the end of performance review cycle for the year 2012 when you asked your subordinates about any problems they were facing. One of your subordinates named Natrajan told you that an important member of his team, Vardarajan, who had also won the best performance award for the year 2011, was not taking interest in work. Despite Natrajan's counseling, no change was noticed in Vardarajan, rather his attitude deteriorated. You had also received such information from other employees. You had not interfered hoping that Natrajan, an experienced hand, would be able to solve the problem. But now that Natrajan himself brought this to your notice, you are supposed to solve it.

Q. What solution do you suggest with the appropriate course of action?

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