Case Study Training Method

A case study is a description of a real or imagined situation which contains information that trainees can use to analyze what has occurred and why. The case study provides learning situation, which depends on involvement and participation in group discussion for its success. The trainees recommend solutions based on the content provided.

A case study is an objective description of a real life situation that can occur in business, in case of which, the participants are required to take appropriate decision. The training method relating to business case studies is excellent for developing analytical skill. Case studies are usually organized around one or more problems confronted by an organization. Common case study provides the learner group al necessary information relating to the organisation and the problem for study. The group of trainees can be provided with a problem or series of problems to find out solutions for the problem.

A case describes the problem area and contains sufficient additional information about the company. Cases are designed primarily to solve different problems relating to an organization. The trainees are expected to prepare each case in advance by analyzing available fax, identifying major issues, exploring alternative courses of action and finally taking a decision on the basis of their analysis. This method can be dynamic and powerful approach for trainees.

Proponents of the case study method argue that this form of problem solving within a management setting offers illustrations of the concepts students/employees are respected to learn and use, improves communications skills, and facilities the linking between theory and practice. Proponents also claim that cases allow students/employees discuss, share, and debate the merits of different inferences, problems, and alternative courses of action. Such insight can help students to develop better analytical skills and improve their ability to integrate new information.

Merits and Demerits: A case study can present a real-life situation, which lets trainees to consider what they would do. It can present a wide variety of skills in which applying knowledge is important. It helps in finding number of alternative solutions suggested by the participants for the problems included in the case. Cases may be difficult to prepare and time-consuming to discuss. The trainer must be creative and very skilled at leading discussions, making points, and keeping trainees on track. All participants should take active part for the success of case study. This method is very helpful for effective training of the participants to develop the practice of taking correct decisions on the basis of analysis of different business cases. The merits and demerits of this method should be considered for successful conduct of the training programme with required previous arrangements.

The case study method also has vigorous critics who argue that it can cause groupthink, focuses too much on the past, limits the teaching role of the trainer, reduces the learner's ability to draw generalizations, reinforces passively on the part of the learner, and promotes the quantity of interaction among students at the expense of the quality of interaction.