For your case analysis project you worked collaboratively to
research, develop, and present a topic associated with a major theme of
problems or issues regarding human factors in UAS. As you last blog post for
ASCI 638, discuss the effectiveness of the Case Analysis tool in this course.
Focus specifically on the utility of Case Analysis as a tool for decision
making and how it has (or does not have) utility in your current line of work,
future anticipated career, or past experiences (identify at least two
examples). Provide any recommendations for how the process or project (e.g.,
requirements, format, group interaction, topical focus, etc.) could be improved
to better support building and expanding student experience for the eventual or
further development of their careers.
Case Analysis Effectiveness
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University
ASCI 638
Human Factors in Unmanned Aerospace Systems
May 20, 2017
The case
analysis is an effective tool for problem solving and decision making. For this
class, it was also effective as a learning tool. By performing a case analysis
concerning an unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) human factors issue or problem,
the students thoroughly research a problem, develop multiple, unrelated
alternative solutions, then propose an out-of-the-box solution as a
recommendation. By doing so, students gain an in-depth knowledge for human
factors issues or problems impacting the UAS industry.
Because
industry managers and leaders often have limited resources, they are often
forced to make decisions with these limited resources in mind. Because of this,
imagination and creativity play an important role. This is where a case
analysis really shines. Multiple alternative actions provide these managers and
leaders with logical solutions that are attainable within the resources
available. Rationale, advantages, and disadvantages are provided to equip these
individuals with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision. Then, a
creative, out-of-the-box recommendation is made that differentiates itself from
the alternative actions. This recommendation gives the author a chance to shine
by creating a solution that is truly creative and impactful. For this reason, I
believe case analyses will prove to be useful as decision making tools in my
future career.
Unfortunately,
the guidance provided for performing a case analysis in this course was not
very detailed. Luckily, I have had experience writing case analyses thanks to
my previous class Production and Procurement Management (ASCI 641). In that
course, very detailed instructions for writing a case analysis are provided. By
utilizing an alternative action matrix, as the professor suggested in that
course, the case analysis becomes very direct and to-the-point. This is
important for those managers and leaders previously mentioned who don’t have
time to thoroughly read a large document to find solutions.
With
that said, I feel the 20-page minimum is quite extreme for the case analysis in
this course. One can easily provide an abstract, problem/issue statement,
significance of the problem/issue, two alternative actions with advantages and
disadvantages, and a recommendation with advantages and disadvantages in a much
shorter paper. A 20-page minimum will not necessarily add to the quality of the
paper. In fact, it will likely detract by forcing the student to creatively add
filler to the final product. This is not what an employer (manager or boss) will
want to see when the student enters the industry. With this in mind, I would
suggest getting rid of the 20-page minimum for the case analysis in this course
in favor for content and quality-based grading rather than quantity-based.
Also, it
would be beneficial to use the case analysis guidance already provided in ASCI
641. The guidance already exists making implementation a breeze. Embry-Riddle
students are held to a standard of consistency or “continuity in presentation
of ideas” such as that found in the American Psychological Association (APA)
Publication Manual (APA, 2010, p. 65). By utilizing the case analysis guidance
in both courses, the university would be leading by example in regard to that
consistency.
Reference
American Psychological Association. (2010).
Publication manual of the American
Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
