MBA Case Study Method

What is the case study method or "case method"? It is a type of learning that is commonly employed in MBA programs. It involves studying pre-written cases and discussing them in class.

A case is a document written up about an real company (or companies) and involves an actual previous scenario. The case gives you all the background information and pertinent facts surrounding the scenario. You are usually asked to make decisions based on the case information.

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This method is tends to be effective and works especially well for certain business subjects. Some of my classes (marketing, management, and strategy) relied heavily on such learning. Other classes (economics, investments, and even accounting) used cases for supplemental learning.

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The case study method is very different from the straight lecture method. For instance, case studies encourage interactivity among classmates. You get differing points-of-view about the case. This method requires you to think and make decisions. You cannot just spit out memorized answers. You have to use your knowledge of business subjects to support your decisions.

The case method is a common method of learning especially when there is no definite answer. You learn by engaging in a "what would you do in this situation" discussion. The biggest benefit is that you apply business concepts to real-world scenarios.

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