You will complete a case study using a methodology for planning, analyzing, and writing a case study to prepare a 1,500-word report. This format includes the following six steps: Identification of Issues, Provide Background Information, Analyze Issues, Develop and Analyze Alternatives, Recommendations, and Action Plan. See below for further details about each step.

Required Materials

"Make the Best of Bad News", in Shwom, Barbara & Gueldenzoph Snyder, Lisa. (2019). Business Communication: Polishing Your Professional Presence, Pearson, New York, NY. Course Packet. The case is on pp. 216-218.

Requirements and Submission Instructions

Having completed the unit readings and made your initial post in the learning activities discussion, analyze the case, Making the Best of Bad News. Read the entire course packet.  This assignment is not a research paper; it is an exercise in applying what you’ve learned. Apply the following steps, which comprise the Case Study Analysis Methodology that you will use to analyze case studies. You will note that it is similar to the problem-solving steps learned. Use the provided Case Study Template to prepare your assignment.

Step 1: Identify Issues

There may be more than one key issue in the case. Determine the issues or symptoms that need to be most immediately addressed. Consider the causes of these issues.

Clearly state the main problem faced. What specifically is the decision to be made within the context of the case. Be sure to specifically differentiate between the problem and its symptoms.

For example, an immediate problem in another case scenario could be high employee absenteeism, but the more basic issue may be low employee morale or lack of motivation. How you define a problem determines how you will resolve it. For example, a short-term solution for absenteeism would differ from solutions to improve morale or motivation. Identify both the symptom and the underlying cause. Also bear in mind that this course is about communications. Cases analyzed in this course are sure to pertain to business writing and communications.

Step 2: Provide Background Information

Summarize key information from the case scenario that relates to your stated issues in step 1. Describe the background of the company and/or situation to set the context for the analysis. (Ivey Publishing, 9B18M054).

Step 3: Analyze the Issues

Analyze the case based on provided questions. Demonstrate a thorough analysis by applying course concepts to discuss the case questions.

Step 4: Develop and Analyze the Alternatives

Brainstorm ideas that may solve your stated problem. Develop a list of viable alternatives to be evaluated. Try to be unbiased in your development of the alternatives.

Evaluate each of the alternatives generated. There are a number of ways to evaluate the alternatives. You could describe the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative in terms of solving your stated problem. Or, you could use some other business models, theories, or criteria for evaluating, such as a SWOT analysis. Determine the most appropriate method for evaluating alternatives, given the nature of the case and the stated problem.

Step 5: Make Recommendations

Based on your evaluation in step 4, choose the alternative(s) to recommend and explain why this is the best solution.

Step 6: Create an Action Plan

Explain how you will implement your recommendation(s) in an action plan that states who should do what, when, and how.

Of course, you cannot actually implement your recommendations in this classroom setting and evaluate their impact. But, in this step, explain how you would evaluate the success of your implementation. Include a schedule and methods for evaluating the outcome. Indicate who will be responsible for the evaluation.

Reread your notes and consider your ideas. You may want to set your case aside overnight and "sleep on it." Come back to it later after you have considered your work.