Writing a Case Analysis
What is a case?
A case is a scenario that gives you the
opportunity to identify problems,
apply theory and recommend a
course of action in a business
situation.
The case may be real or fictional, but
will usually represent a complex
situation with no ready solutions.
Case Analyses
Case analyses assess:
how you think
how you structure problems
your ability to conceptualise, draw
clarity from ambiguity, form
views, and make
recommendations.
What is your role as an
analyst?
In analysing a case your task is to
identify the problem(s) in the
situation presented in the scenario
analyse the key issues within the
context of theory/ies presented in
your course
develop and compare alternative
solutions to the problems
consider the advantages and
disadvantages of various possible
solutions
select the best solution and make
recommendations for action
write up your case analysis in
appropriate case analysis report
format.
Why are you asked to write
case analyses?
To enable you to demonstrate that
you can apply conceptual
frameworks to real situations and
integrate topics in your analysis.
Case analyses also enable you to
improve your critical thinking and
analytical abilities, your ability to
evaluate sources of information and
your written communication skills.
Stages in preparing a case analysis?
These are:
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.
What do 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.
As you are reading you will also need
to fill in gaps based on your knowledge
of theory and of the world and ignore
irrelevant details.
The following questions can guide you
in doing this.
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 the major problem?
What are subsequent problems and
implications?
What is the role of management in
relation to the problem?
What is the role of production/service
providers in relation to the problem?
What are the steps in identifying the
core problems?
As you identify the facts of the case you will
begin to think about the problems and to decide
which problems are core problems. In doing this
you will need to
distinguish between symptoms of the major
problems and the major problems themselves
distinguish between immediate and longer
term problems
find evidence to support your decision about
what you believe to be the core problems.
What are the steps in analysing the
issues?
As you identify the core problem(s) you will
begin to analyse the issues underlying these
problems. The following steps assist with this.
Identify any bias in the way the case is
described.
Classify the factors that influence the problem
as internal or external to the organisation.
Reflect on theoretical principles from your
course that might explain aspects of the case.
Apply analytical models from your
course to further illuminate the
situation.
Identify the decisions that need to be
made.
Identify strategic issues.
Identify risk factors.
Identify historical precedents.
What are the steps in exploring
alternative solutions?
As you are analysing the issues you will begin
to think about alternative solutions. You should:
consider individual and organisational levels
consider the long and the short term
define the alternative possible solutions
compare the alternative solutions in regard to
Theoretical grounding,
Strengths and weaknesses
Risk factors.
How do you choose the best
solution?
As you explore the alternative
solutions you will begin to decide on
the best solution for the organisation
in solving its problems.
It is important at this stage to provide
a justification for the solution you
choose.
What are the steps in making a
recommendation?
When you have decided on the best solution
you will be able to make a recommendation
or recommendations.
At this stage you should do the following:
Express your recommendation(s) precisely.
Ensure that your recommendations are
complementary.
Ensure that it is feasible to implement the
recommendations.
How do you present your case
analysis?
A case analysis is presented as a report. The
following is a suggested structure for a case
analysis report:
Introduction: Describe the situation and identify
the main problem.
Body: Analyse the problem and the issues
underlying the problem. Present and analyse
alternative solutions to the problem
Conclusion: . Identify the best solution.
Recommendations: Identify the courses of action
needed to implement the best solution.
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)
analyses 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
is presented in appropriate report
format.