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EntrepreneurshipTeam Decision Making2 members

ETDM

Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making

Two competitors receive a case study about a startup or growing venture facing a critical decision. They must identify the entrepreneurial opportunity or challenge, evaluate strategic options, and present a viable path forward.

Prep Time

30 min

With Judge

15 min

PI Source

Entrepreneurship + BA Core

Team Size

2 members

Format

Team Case + Objective Test

Who Should Compete

Aspiring entrepreneurs or students who enjoy startup strategy, business modeling, and venture-building decision making.

The Judge's Role

Panel of investors, startup advisors, or entrepreneurship professors evaluating your decision

Competition Format

Event structure.

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Preparation

30 min

Both team members receive the case study. Divide the analysis, identify the key problem and sub-issues, and build a cohesive recommendation. You may use the printed case and scratch paper provided.

•

Presentation

15 min

Present your analysis and solution to the judges panel. Split delivery evenly. Use clear structure: situation overview, alternatives considered, recommended solution, and implementation steps.

•

Q&A

5 min

Judges ask clarifying or challenge questions. Both members should be ready to answer any aspect of the case. Stay composed and defend your recommendations with data from the case.

Performance Indicators

What you'll be tested on.

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Business model analysis and validation

•

Market opportunity assessment

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Startup financing and bootstrapping

•

Pivot vs. persevere decisions

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Go-to-market strategy

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Risk analysis for new ventures

Browse all performance indicators

How to Prepare

Preparation framework.

01

Master PI lists for your cluster + BA Core

Both members should know all relevant PIs cold. Questions from judges often test PI knowledge directly.

02

Develop a team case-cracking framework

Agree on a shared structure: problem statement → root causes → alternatives (at least 2) → recommendation → implementation → metrics for success.

03

Practice splitting the presentation evenly

Each member must speak substantially. Assign sections, but both must understand the full case, judges direct questions to either member.

04

Work through past cases

Request sample cases from your advisor or use DECA's official resources. Time the 30-min prep and 15-min presentation.

05

Study together, take the objective test seriously

The objective test score is averaged, so a weak score from one member pulls both scores down.

Sample Scenario Themes

Representative topics.

Not official DECA scenarios, representative themes based on past competitions.

Should a startup pivot after poor early traction?

How to scale a successful product to new markets

Evaluating a partnership vs. acquisition opportunity

Deciding on pricing for a new product launch

Addressing a cash flow crisis in a growing startup

Competition Tips

Notes from experienced competitors.

•

Apply lean startup vocabulary: MVP, product-market fit, burn rate, runway.

•

Show that you can balance innovation with financial pragmatism.

•

Use the Business Model Canvas as a mental framework, judges expect structured analysis.

Ready to prep for ETDM?

Practice exams for Entrepreneurship · Review Entrepreneurship + BA Core performance indicators · Roleplay framework.