BUSI 692 Rubric for “Use a set of provided questions to prepare a formal case report” Assignments Criteria Levels of Achievement (65 points total) Content 70% Advanced Proficient Developing Not present Executive Summary 5 points The executive summary clearly summarizes the main findings of the report. 4 points The executive summary summarizes the main findings of the report but misses some of the main points. 1 to 3 points The executive summary does not summarize the main findings of the report, but there is an attempt. 0 points Not present. Statement of the Problem 7 points The executive summary clearly summarizes the main findings of the business valuation report. 6 points The executive summary summarizes the main findings of the business valuation report, but misses some of the main points. 1 to 5 points The executive summary does not summarize the main findings of the business valuation report, but there is an attempt. 0 points Not present. List of Critical Factors 7 points The key factors that impact how the potential resolution of the key problem are clearly identified and adequately discussed. 6 points The key factors that impact how the potential resolution of the key problem are clearly identified, but not all are adequately discussed. 1 to 5 points One or more critical factors are not identified at all and/or others are not adequately discussed. 0 points Not present. Definition of Alternatives 19 to 20 points A sufficient number of alternative solutions are identified and both the pros and cons for each alternative are adequately discussed. 17 to 18 points A sufficient number of alternative solutions are identified, but not all of the important pros and cons for each alternative are adequately discussed. 1 to 16 points An insufficient number of alternative solutions are identified and not all of the pros and cons for each alternative are adequately discussed. 0 points Not present. Appendices (or tables, charts, graphs, etc. in main body of paper) 7 points All of the appendices are there, and they clearly explain the calculations, assumptions, and other pertinent data in support of the business valuation. 6 points Not all of the appendices are there, or the appendices do not clearly explain the calculations, assumptions, and other pertinent data in support of the business valuation. 1 to 5 points There are some appendices or some explanation of the calculations, assumptions, and other pertinent data in support of the business valuation, but they do not match the conclusions or the business valuation report. 0 points Not present. Structure 30% Advanced Proficient Developing Not present Word Limit Met 7 points Paper is between 6 and 10 pages in length, excluding title page, graphs, charts, and references page. 6 points Paper is longer than 10 pages in length, excluding title page, graphs, charts, and references page. 1 to 5 points Paper is less than 6 pages in length, excluding title page, graphs, and references pages. 0 points Not.

1. BUSI 692
Rubric for “Use a set of provided questions to prepare a formal
case report” Assignments
Criteria
Levels of Achievement (65 points total)
Content 70%
Advanced
Proficient
Developing
Not present
Executive Summary
5 points
The executive summary clearly summarizes the main findings of
the report.
4 points
The executive summary summarizes the main findings of the
report but misses some of the main points.
1 to 3 points
The executive summary does not summarize the main findings
of the report, but there is an attempt.
0 points
Not present.
Statement of the Problem
7 points
The executive summary clearly summarizes the main findings of
the business valuation report.
6 points
The executive summary summarizes the main findings of the
business valuation report, but misses some of the main points.
1 to 5 points
The executive summary does not summarize the main findings
of the business valuation report, but there is an attempt.
0 points
Not present.

2. List of Critical Factors
7 points
The key factors that impact how the potential resolution of the
key problem are clearly identified and adequately discussed.
6 points
The key factors that impact how the potential resolution of the
key problem are clearly identified, but not all are adequately
discussed.
1 to 5 points
One or more critical factors are not identified at all and/or
others are not adequately discussed.
0 points
Not present.
Definition of Alternatives
19 to 20 points
A sufficient number of alternative solutions are identified and
both the pros and cons for each alternative are adequately
discussed.
17 to 18 points
A sufficient number of alternative solutions are identified, but
not all of the important pros and cons for each alternative are
adequately discussed.
1 to 16 points
An insufficient number of alternative solutions are identified
and not all of the pros and cons for each alternative are
adequately discussed.
0 points
Not present.
Appendices (or tables, charts, graphs, etc. in main body of
paper)
7 points
All of the appendices are there, and they clearly explain the
calculations, assumptions, and other pertinent data in support of
the business valuation.
6 points
Not all of the appendices are there, or the appendices do not

3. clearly explain the calculations, assumptions, and other
pertinent data in support of the business valuation.
1 to 5 points
There are some appendices or some explanation of the
calculations, assumptions, and other pertinent data in support of
the business valuation, but they do not match the conclusions or
the business valuation report.
0 points
Not present.
Structure 30%
Advanced
Proficient
Developing
Not present
Word Limit Met
7 points
Paper is between 6 and 10 pages in length, excluding title page,
graphs, charts, and references page.
6 points
Paper is longer than 10 pages in length, excluding title page,
graphs, charts, and references page.
1 to 5 points
Paper is less than 6 pages in length, excluding title page,
graphs, and references pages.
0 points
Not present.
Proper Spelling, Grammar, APA
7 points
There were no more than two spelling, grammar, or APA errors.
Paper is Times-Roman font, double spaced, one-inch margins on
all sides, with page numbers in the lower right-hand corner. The
first sentence to every new paragraph should be indented 0.5
inches and there is no extra space between paragraphs.
6 points
There were three spelling, grammar, or APA errors and/or paper

4. is not properly formatted as per the specific guidelines in
“Learning with Cases and Writing Case Reports.”
1 to 5 points
There were four or more spelling, grammar, or APA errors and
paper is not properly formatted as per the specific guidelines in
“Learning with Cases and Writing Case Reports.”
0 points
Not present.
Number of Sources Used
5 points
Student used at least 3 professional/scholarly references in
addition to the course textbook. All references were properly
cited in the paper.
4 points
Student used at least 3 professional/scholarly references in
addition to the course textbook, but one or more of these were
not properly cited in the paper.
1 to 3 points
Student used at fewer than 3 but at least 1
professional/scholarly references in addition to the course
textbook.
0 points
Not present.
Page 1 of 2
BUSI 692
From the Professor
Case 1 Report Instructions
CASE 1: Warren E. Buffett, 2015
Case Introduction/Overview
Set in August 2015, this case invites students to assess
Berkshire Hathaway’s bid for Precision Castparts Corporation

5. (PCP). The task for students is to perform a simple valuation of
PCP and to consider the reasonableness of Berkshire
Hathaway’s offer. Student analysis readily extends to the
investment philosophy and the remarkable record of Berkshire
Hathaway’s chair and CEO, Warren E. Buffett. The case is
intended to be used as an introduction to a finance course or as
a module on capital markets. The analytical tasks are
straightforward and are intended to provide a springboard into a
discussion of the main tenets of modern finance.
Case Report Instructions
This is a “Directly answer a set of questions” case report. For
this introduction case study, answer each of the following
questions (as per the guidelines in “Learning with Cases and
Writing Case Reports”).
1. Who is Warren E. Buffett? How would you describe the
business of Berkshire Hathaway?
2. How well has Berkshire Hathaway performed? Over the long
term? Recently?
3. What is your assessment of Berkshire Hathaway’s
investments in Buffett’s largest equity positions shown in case
Exhibit 5? Has he been uniformly successful in making major
investments?
4. Describe the key elements of Buffett’s investment
philosophy. How might this philosophy differ from that of other
investment styles, such as a very active day trader, a chart
watcher, or someone who passively invests in index funds?
5. From Buffett’s perspective, what is intrinsic value? Why is it
accorded such importance? How is it estimated? What are the
alternatives to intrinsic value? Why does Buffett reject them?
6. Critically assess Buffett’s investment philosophy. Identify
points where you agree and disagree with him.
7. What is the possible meaning of the changes in stock price
for Berkshire Hathaway on the day of the acquisition
announcement? Specifically, what does the $4 billion loss in
Berkshire Hathaway’s market value of equity imply about the
intrinsic value of Precision Castparts (PCP)?

6. 8. Should Berkshire Hathaway’s shareholders endorse the
acquisition of PCP?
NOTE: You can access a student spreadsheet file that you might
find helpful for this case on the textbook website found at the
following link:
http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/1259277194/student_vie
w0/index.html
This directory contains Excel spreadsheet files with the primary
exhibits for this case. Some of the Excel tables exercisable
models which will allow you to test ideas with minimum setup
time.
From the Professor