Part III

PART III: Build The Case-Solving Architecture

Chapter 5: The Case-Solving Process

Video: Where Do We Even Start: The Steps to Solve a Case

Resource: There is a case-solving tool developed in Excel by Cam Welsh that follows this process, available at https://buymeacoffee.com/treadsoftly.

A strong case solution follows a logical progression.

1. DECIPHER: What is really happening?
2. ANALYZE: What do we need to understand?
3. DEVELOP: What could the organisation do?
4. DECIDE: Which alternative is best?
5. RECOMMEND: What exactly should the organisation do?
6. IMPLEMENT: How will it happen?
7. MEASURE: How will we know it worked?
8. COMMUNICATE: How will we make the solution clear and persuasive?

This sequence is not a rigid formula. It is a thinking architecture. Sometimes you will move backwards. A new insight may change your problem statement. A financial analysis may cause you to rethink an alternative. A capability constraint may eliminate an otherwise attractive option. Good case teams iterate.