How To Write Alternatives And Decision Criteria For A Case Study Solution?

In order to write alternatives and decision criteria for a case study solution, we need to begin by identifying several viable options practically possible for addressing the problem under consideration. The pros and cons of each alternative must be outlined. At the same time, the decision criteria might be based on several factors like cost, feasibility, impact, and alignment with the goals. Each alternative must be evaluated against these criteria to find the one that best solves the problem.

Do you know the purpose of the alternatives and decision criteria section?

This is a million-dollar question. Almost all the students ask for an answer to this question. We have defined the purpose of alternatives and decision criteria in the following section;

• Make sure to present all the possible solutions. Present as many answers as possible to solve a puzzle, and these solutions will take give you an ultimate quick fix to address the research question.
• Systematically apply the decision criteria to analyze which solution of all is the best and can get the job done effectively.

Important information about Alternatives!

There is a specific type of alternative that is of great importance. You need to know what “mutually exclusive” alternatives are to write your case study in the way the instructor wants you to write.  

Mutually Exclusive Alternative

If one alternative is good enough to rule out some of the other alternatives, that alternative will be known as a mutually exclusive alternative. This type of alternative is used in a situation to prevent the implementation of multiple alternatives. It is very much sufficient as far as the cost and time of an organization are concerned.

Things to do before generating alternatives!

Some certain things need to be done before writing very informative alternatives. The following are required;  

• Correct and precise identification of the problem.
• Critical criteria must be specified.

What Are Alternatives Solutions/Analysis In Case Study?

Alternative solutions, as the name shows, are sets of different strategies and approaches to be adopted in order to address a certain problem under consideration. So, each alternative solution must be independently unique and viable for addressing a real-life issue. The analysis of these alternative solutions involves assessing their potential effectiveness, costs, benefits, and risks. Through this analysis, we can comfortably gauge the strengths and weaknesses of each different solution.

For this purpose, count on factors like feasibility, impact, resource requirement, and alignment with organizational goals. Now compare and contrast these alternatives to reach a final option that best suits your needs under the given circumstances. This systematic and structured approach to problem-solving allows a comprehensive, foolproof evaluation, allowing decision-makers to make informed decisions that maximize the desired output.

There are some additional factors as well, like stakeholder acceptance, availability of resources, and long-term sustainability. By applying these criteria, the decision-makers can comfortably draw a picture by weighing the pros and cons of each alternative, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation. This entire process allows you to find the most appropriate solution. 

What Is The Decision Criteria In Case Study?

It can be defined as the much-needed requirements that the recommendations are necessary to solve a dilemma/problem of the case study. Decision criteria in a case study are the standards and the benchmarks used to evaluate and compare alternative solutions. These criteria are critically important in objectively assessing the effectiveness of each solution presented. Some of the most common criteria or factors of comparison are cost, feasibility, time, impact, risk, and alignment with the organizational goals. 

What criteria can be used for judging the appropriateness of alternatives?

Criteria for judging the appropriateness of alternatives include cost, feasibility, effectiveness, risk, impact time, availability of resources, and alignment with the organizational goals. These different factors help assess each option’s viability and potential benefits along with the drawbacks as well. So when you have a broader look at this entire analysis of comparison, you can take more informed and wise decisions.

Criteria are given below;

• Cost: Cost is a factor that plays an important part. Keep into consideration this parameter to run a smooth case study.
• Authenticity: Make sure that the whole alternative you are selecting is credible and authentic or not. This will prevent the onset of future problems.
• Balance and dependability: Will alternative work in unfortunate circumstances? Search for this answer while choosing alternatives.
• Safeguard: Try to go for a conclusion that will work even if some of its components fail.
• Flexibility and resilience: If the alternative is good enough to accomplish more than one goal, go for it.
• Riskiness: Never use an alternative that involves high risk. A high-risk alternative can destroy the whole case study.
• Communicability: An alternative that is easy to understand will be preferred in the case study. This is a characteristic that is highly recommendable.
• Durability: Make sure that the alternative you are selecting will succeed in multiple situations.
• Merit: Prefer an alternative that ticks all the boxes. Don’t assume anything. It’ll ruin your whole work.
• Compatibility: Screen an alternative that is easy by following norms and procedures.

 What has to be in this section?

This section is particular when it comes to data and information. Only the relevant and authentic data can be placed here. It includes the following information;

• Mutually exclusive alternatives can be placed in this section.
• Decision criteria should consist of;
• Analysis of many decisions to select the most pre-eminent one that can give desired results.
• Make a sort of competition among your decision criteria to be sure about the success rate of your decision criteria.
• You may not require analysis and competition in all organizations but, make a habit of running this case study section in this format; it will ease you and give you elite kind of results.

Some Tips? For Selecting the Alternative Solution & Decision Criteria

• Your instructor may give you so many alternatives to study. The decision is all yours as you can search for other alternatives. Search for alternatives that are perfect according to your research and include them in this section.
• Make sure to include recommendations along with alternatives; your recommendations can merge with your alternatives to give first-rate results.
• Cross-check that the alternatives you have listed are mutually exclusive or not. If they are not mutually exclusive, make them mutually exclusive.
• Add criteria that can prove to be helpful for the evaluation of your alternative solutions.
• Use the techniques of importance and weighing to select the outstanding decision criteria that can give workable alternatives.
• Persuasively explain all the recommendations.
• Keep one thing in mind, never assume anything. Assumptions can lead to false information. If you assume something, you may damage your whole study.

Alternatives And Decision Criteria Case Study Example. 

Case Study Example: Tesla’s Decision on Battery Supplier

Context

In the early 2010s, world-renowned Tesla was confronted with a major problem regarding the battery supply. The company wanted to have a reliable source of high-performance lithium-ion batteries to meet the growing demand for its electric vehicles. Finding a suitable solution to this complex problem was inevitable for the growth of the company.

Alternatives

1) Continue Buying from Panasonic

Pros: Enhanced relationship, established battery quality, and functional supply chain infrastructure

Cons: Potentially higher costs, problems in fluctuating demands, limited scalability and dependency

2) Make a Contract with Another Existing Battery Manufacture (e.g LG)

Pros: Diversified supply chain, potential for discounted rates, and leveraging expertise from another industry giant.

Cons: Risk of quality fluctuations, probable integration challenges, time-lapse of a new partnership

3) Develop In-House Battery Production Unit:

Pros: Full control over the supply chain in accordance with the demand, huge potential for cost reduction in the long run, and ability to modify batteries for varying needs in the future.

Cons: High initial capital investment and funds, significant time for creating such massive infrastructure, substantial operation risk involvement.

4) Form a Joint Venture with Panasonic

Pros: Shared investment risks, combined technological expertise, swift scaling of production capabilities.

Cons: Challenging partnership contract dynamics, risk of strategic mismanagement, and shared control over production decisions.

Decision Criteria

Analysis of All Four Alternatives

1) Continue Sourcing from Panasonic

Cost: Medium, Already fixed price structure and limited room for any further negotiations

Feasibility: High, Existing supply chain and sufficiently reliable to a great extent with proven quality

Scalability: Low, Not ideal for fluctuating demand curves, in case of higher demand, least dependable

Risk: Medium, total dependency on the supplier. Bound to stick with the supplier’s installed capacity

Time to Market: Short, Immediate continuity since the product remains readily available

Strategic Alignment: Medium, aligns with short-term goals but not long-term autonomy

2) Partner with Another Existing Battery Manufacture

Cost: Potentially lower due to the competition in the market

Feasibility: Medium, since it may require integration effort from the start

Scalability: Medium, huge potential for growth with a new partner

Risk: Medium to high, quality and integration risks are at the top

Time to Market: Medium, since it may require time to set up

Strategic Alignment: Medium, it somehow offers diversification but not full control yet

3) Develop In-House Battery Production Unit

Cost: High initial investment but massive long-term cost savings

Feasibility: Medium to low; massive resources and expertise will be required

Scalability: High, since you will have full control over scaling to match your needs

Risk: High, multiple financial and operational risks will be involved

Time to market: Long, extensive set-up time in the beginning will be required

Strategic Alignment: High, aligns with long-term goals for autonomy and innovation

4) For a Joint Venture with Panasonic

Cost: Medium, Shared investment with equal burden-sharing

Feasibility: Medium to high complements both companies’ strengths.

Scalability: High, collaborated efforts can enhance scaling up to the desired limit

Time to Market: Medium, faster than in-house development

Strategic Alignment: High, balanced control with partnership advantages

Final Decision

Tesla then finally decided to form a joint venture with Panasonic, a known tech giant at that time. It resulted in the construction of the Gigafactory. This decision proved to be quite fruitful since it balanced the need for scalable and cost-effective battery production while leveraging Panasonic’s expertise. The Gigafactory has become a cornerstone of Tesla’s strategy complementing production of cost effective battery and overall growth of the company.

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