Writing a Case Analysis
What a Case Analysis is
Written case analyses are short, structured reports. Usually, the instructor will ask for between
two and ten typed pages, depending upon the complexity of the case. Some business case studies
are assigned as individual efforts; others are group projects. Still others may be a partial group
effort, with the group collaborating in the analysis and each individual student being asked to
prepare a separate written analysis. The students task, in writing the case analysis, is to combine
aspects of the case and key issues with ones own perceptions and supported opinions. (S)he
must then examine alternatives, choose the most viable solution, and provide evidence to support
her /his views. This evidence is obtained from class discussions, text readings, outside research,
and ones personal experiences.
The Purpose for Case Analyses
You are asked to write case analyses in some of your courses to enable you to demonstrate that
you can apply conceptual frameworks from your course to real situations, and integrate topics in
your analysis. Case analyses also enable you to improve your critical thinking and analytical
abilities, and written communication skills, as well as your ability to evaluate sources of
information.
Stages in Preparing a Case Analysis
There are a number of stages in preparing a case analysis. These are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
understanding the case
identifying the core problem in the case
analysing the issues in the context of a theoretical framework
exploring alternative solutions with reference to a theoretical framework
choosing the best solution
making recommendations for action.
Some of these stages may not apply to particular cases.
What you Need to Do to Understand the Situation
Your first task is to understand the scenario you are given. When you read the scenario you
should identify the facts of the case.
Some questions to ask may include the following: What is the mission of the organisation?
Who are the stakeholders within the organisation? Who are the stakeholders or target
groups outside the organisation? What is the formal decision making process in the
organisation? What are the informal decision making processes in the organisation? What is
the process of production or service delivery? Who are the competitors? What external factors
impact on the organisation? What is/are the major problem(s)? What are subsequent problems
and implications? What is the role of management in relation to the problem?
As you are reading you will also need to fill in gaps based on your knowledge of theory and of
the world. Ignore irrelevant details.
Structure
Most case studies follow a prescribed format and structure and can vary depending upon the
course in which it is used. Case study analyses are written as reports with headings, not as
essays. The report should clearly identify the relevant sections for the reader.
All reports begin with an introduction to the case. In it you outline briefly what the company
does, how it developed historically, what problems it is experiencing, and how you are going to
approach the issues in the case write-up. Do this sequentially by writing, for example, "First, we
discuss the environment of Company X...Third, we discuss Company Xs business-level
strategy... Last, we provide recommendations for turning around Company Xs business."
Analysis
The most important section of your case analysis comes next, under the heading Analysis.
This section should be the longest, most thorough section of your write-up. Managers cannot
solve problems unless they can first identify them. Recognizing problems and then
understanding the nature of the problems is the proper beginning of all managerial action.
Solutions generally fall in place relatively easily once problems are recognized and understood.
There are often several viable solutions to problems in a case, but you cannot implement any of
them if you cannot identify the problems. It is important that there are references to the assigned
reading in the Analysis section.
Do not repeat in summary form large pieces of factual information from the case. The instructor
has read the case and knows what is going on. Rather, use the information in the case to illustrate
your statements, to defend your arguments, or to make salient points. Beyond the brief
introduction to the company, you must avoid being descriptive; instead, you must be analytical.
Sometimes instructors hand out questions for each case to help you in your analysis. Use these as
a guide for writing the case analysis. They often illuminate the important issues that have to be
covered in the discussion.
Analyze the key issues within the context of the theory presented in your course.
What makes a good case analysis?
A good case analysis clearly identifies the core problem(s), provides a justification for the
choice of core problem(s), analyzes the issues underlying the problem in terms of the relevant
theory, uses appropriate terminology, justifies the alternative solutions in terms of appropriate
theory, justifies the choice of the best solution, presents feasible and complementary
recommendations for implementing the best solution, and is presented in appropriate report
format.
Make sure the sections and subsections of your discussion flow logically and smoothly from one
to the next. That is, try to build on what has gone before so that the analysis of the case study
moves toward a climax. This is particularly important for group analysis, because there is a
tendency for people in a group to split up the work and say, "Ill do the beginning, you take the
middle, and Ill do the end." The result is a choppy, stilted analysis because the parts do not flow
from one to the next, and it is obvious to the instructor that no real group work has been done.
Demonstrate in your case analysis write up that the purpose for the use of the case study method
has been achieved in you.
