GD PI WAT 2014: How to solve Case studies in top B schools; know the key tips http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7507/GD-PI-WAT-2014-Case-Studies

This article by MBAUniverse.com shares with you expert

tips to solve the Caselets asked during the admission

processes of top B schools including IIMs.

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.

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. Click below to score high marks in GD PI WAT process of B schools for Admission 2014

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”

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.

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

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