This form can be used to organize your thoughts about a case. As you perform your analysis remain open to the fact that your interpretation of the facts may change and therefore you should constantly revisit your answers.
Define the Problem: Describe the type of case and what problem(s) or issue(s) should be the focus for your analysis. The type of case that this is an evaluation case. In this case, one of the major problems that will be the main focus is the simple fact that there have been five major presidents of Komatsu and some presidents have succeeded where some have failed. Looking directly into what made these presidents successful or not successful along with the evolution of Kamatsu are what the main focus is within the article.
List any outside concepts that can be applied: Write down any principles, frameworks or theories that can be applied to this case. Ryiochi Kawai reinvented the ideals of Komatsu in order to be successful originally once he took presidency from his father. In 1982, Shoji Nogawa took presidency of Komatsu and started to begin years of decline. In 1987 Masao Tanaka was chosen to replace Nogawa as president and reinvented the ideals of the company once again. Then in 1989, Tetsuya Katadaonce again changed the focus of the company and allowed for changes that focused on the complete company growing stronger as a whole and not one individual dictating what to do.
List relevant qualitative data: evidence related to or based on the quality or character of something. Ryoichi Kawai introduces the idea and purpose of a management-by-policy system and “Project A” to raise quality of Komatsu’s bulldozers to CAT’s level. Then he adapted PDCA cycle as a new system to improve quality.
Masao Tanaka ended price discounting and high pressure sales, but added the value to the products and ultimately increased their market value and he added a joint venture with Dresser where he combined the financing, engineering, and manufacturing.
Tetsuya Katada changed stategy and management practices to try to revolve the
company.
List relevant quantitative data: evidence related to or based on the amount or number of something. Kawai raised Komatsu’s market share from 50% to 65% by 1970. Tanaka would capture 50% market share at a 10% premium and he raised the US prices 7%.
Describe the results of your analysis: What evidence have you accumulated that supports one interpretation over another. The successes over the failures. Watching the differences of the presidents that were successful and those that were not. What was there philosophies and how were they valued?
Describe alternative actions: List and prioritize possible recommendations or actions that come out of your analysis. Be sure that the companies focus is as a whole and not one dictating what is being done. Implement change that makes a difference, meaning don’t just change the brand of the company, change the vision of the company as well.
Describe your preferred action plan: Write a clear statement of what you would recommend including short, medium and long-term steps to be carried out. Within this company, there seems to be a great strategy to constantly evolve the vision of this company. Typically with the changing of the branding to the focus on maintaining the company as a whole and not dictating a top down type of management style. Everyone needs to fully understand where the company wants to go before they enact on it.
