MGMT 1120: Identify the problem that management needs to solve. What priority decision needs to be made? Make sure you describe the nature of the problem and why it is important?

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This is a formal case study that will require you analyze a business case and provide recommendations based on evidence and appropriate management concepts.

You will be completing Parts 1 through 4 in small groups and submitting a written report. The report will include an introduction, a conclusion, and headings for each of the (4) parts. One report will be submitted for each group.

To complete this project, you will be using the Steel String: To Bottle or not to Bottle

For more instructions regarding retrieving the case study, please go to the end of this document.

Your group will act as consultants to the   case. To help this organization, you will 1) identify the major problem/decision facing the organization, 2) complete internal and external analyses that you have learned in the course to make sure you understand and can apply important information from the case that relates to solving this problem, 3) identify three feasible alternatives to solving the problem/decision, 4) recommend ONE solution to the organization, including an action containing specific steps to completion.

At the conclusion of the project, each student will submit his or her own individual reflection for Part 5, on the same day that the group project is due.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of each of the parts:

Part 1: Identify the problem that management needs to solve. What priority decision needs to be made? Make sure you describe the nature of the problem and why it is important; i.e., what impact will this decision have on the organization and other stakeholders?

Part 2: Perform some analyses to help you determine what factors are important for management to consider in making this decision:

a.     SWOT analysis

b.     CREST analysis (You may chose to conduct a PEST analysis instead)

c.      Porter’s 5-Force Analysis

d.     Stakeholder analysis

For each of these analyses, present the analyses (use a table or lists if this helps to make the information more clear). Then, write a brief paragraph after each analysis summarizing the highlights of that analysis that you think are most relevant to this decision. You will need more information about this particular industry or about environmental factors, so you will have to do some research.  You will need at least 5 (five) sources (Wikipedia and the Dictionary do not count as sources.)

Part 3: Based on your analyses, identify up to 3 (three) possible decisions you might make. In other words, what are three reasonable alternatives that management might choose to pursue to help solve this problem? (Don’t forget to consult Chapter 7 as you consider strategic options.)

For each of these three options, identify what you perceive to be the pros and cons of pursuing that particular alternative. Use the information you discovered in your analyses and course concepts to guide you, and try to list as many as you can think of. Resist the urge to make a decision too soon!!! Try to remain objective as you consider each alternative.

Part 4: Decide which is the best option for the organization and create an action plan for that option. 

(Different groups may make very different recommendations!) Why do you believe this is the best option for the organization (defend your choice)?

Develop a step-by-step action plan to carry out your decision. Your action plan should include specific steps for each of the four management functions: Planning, Leading, Organizing, and Controlling. You will want to make sure that the organization will be able to measure results and evaluate how the plan is working down the road