Curious 'Case' of MBA

Curious 'Case' of MBA

I recently chanced upon this text from some friend's status message.

HBS Case Method Does not prepare MBAs for the real world


Now I may not be qualified enough to pass a decision but having experienced all the related spheres, lectures, case based classes (in all the forms) and on job learning; I do agree with the opinion expressed in this text.

So how does a case method of teaching work?

Scene 1:

A 20-30 page Strategic Management case on Priceline.com by HBS to be discussed in the class. I read the case and think over it a night before case discussion in class.
Fair enough.

I ponder over the case questions as posted by the professor on the extranet and draw conclusions of my own. If time permits I validate my findings with one of my classmates.
Works well.

Next morning in the class I sit between the 100 odd students. Prof. asks us about the case facts and our understanding of the case... (again just a comprehension of facts). If I am willing, I raise hands, and if I am lucky I get to speak for a minute.
All perfect.

In 60 minutes this wraps up and the prof opens the case before the class. Well, what we thought of to be an exercise on Porter's model eventually turned out to be a classic example of Structural Holes.
Awws anyone?

Scene 2:

We need to present in class on HUL Vs Nirma case. The group meets, discusses over the case for 2-3 hours, best to the understanding, and makes a flashy cool Office 2007 presentation with cool graphics, loads of jargons from textbook and a complex value chain analysis.

On the "Thank You" slide, the class thumps reluctantly, and then Prof. asks questions.
Damn!!! We missed to analyze the financial statements to conclude that Nirma model was irreplicable.

And let the Prof. take the center stage and explain it all while we listen to it all like children.

Most of the cases I have witnessed have been like stories with a morale. Some of the stories even come with shocking climax. All 's fine if thats what it is supposed to serve as.

But do we really use them when we go out in the industry?

Let me again draw from an example from my own experience during Internship at ### firm.

I was given a one line statement for the project "Study M&A trends in Contract Research Industry"
(a 20-30 page case???)

Most of the work I did was about developing this statement into a case. Collecting case facts. Understanding the size, volumes and dynamics of the industry. Sometimes even outside the industry into related areas. I collected information and developed it into a 20-30 page document. This is when my mentor asked me... So now that you have all this data, what does your analysis say about it?
Where are the case questions???

Its not about finding answers to some questions. Its about developing a scenario, finding relevant questions for the scenario and then, finding meaningful answers to them to take the case further.
When does the case end???

And, it involved no reading up of 20-30 page document to develop a utopia of understanding and analysis only to shatter it in class to develop a new understanding. The whole process is driven by feedback to refine the case and analysis.

And finally comes the presentation. Unlike classroom I sent across my presentation to everyone in office before presenting. The presentation was done in presence of 10-15 people (not 100 reluctant classmates).

So why is case method called a better way of preparing for professional life?

In my opinion a case method of teaching is only a shock driven lecture. It maybe better than a traditional lecture mode of teaching (again not always). But nowhere close to experiential learning.

Is it impossible to simulate experiential learning in schools?

Perhaps, its going to be the next step in teaching methodology at b-schools.