CASE Analysis STUDY METHOD 1) READ THE CASE
a. Read first with an open mind
b. Read again with more direction and focus
c. Make notes
d) Write a short general INTRODUCTION
e. LEAVE a Space for THE SUMMARY for the Executive at the beginning of the report
2. INTRODUCTION:
1) Identify yourself- who are you, what is your role here?
2) Who are you writing this to/for?
3) Identify what you are going to look at – why you are here AND what you will be looking at as you
investigate what is going on.
3. CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS – for this company
a. There are only two generic strategies: low cost AND/OR differentiation
You can say something very briefly underneath one or both of these strategies that pertains specifically to this company’s strategy.
WHAT is critical to this company in their strategy?
b. Think about:
i. What is their competitive advantage?
ii. What is their value proposition?
iii. What business is this enterprise in?
iv. What are the critical components for their success?
v. What must they get right?
vi. How can they evaluate if they are getting these right as they go forward?
4. DEFINE THE PROBLEM
a. Defining the problem is a key part of case studies
Keep it strategic – not a whole bunch of little things
b. What is/are the MAIN PROBLEMS
i. Major (life threatening)
ii. Minor (anything but major but still is a problem about their strategic goals)
c. Write a PROBLEM STATEMENT which must end with WHY this is a problem for the
company. Will it go bankrupt, will it cease to exist, will it not be able to pay its bills...
5) ANALYSIS: all the ideas and options you can think of that would be pieces of the solution you come up with - HAS TO HAVE THE COSTS as well
a. Analysis is directed to solving the Case Problem
 Data
 Numbers
 Managerial tools; regression, financial statements, ratios, relevant costs, etc
b. CASE FACTS + THEORIES & MODELS = ANALYSIS
c. The following are NOT Analysis
i. Summarizing of case facts
ii. Rehashing empty theory

iii. Your personal opinions
d. Case facts may not fit exactly into the theory
iv. v.
1.
Ignore redundant facts
Supplement insufficient case facts by assumptions Assumptions should be:
a. Necessary
b. Explicitly stated and explained c. Reasonable
e. Explore a variety of techniques with both quantitative and qualitative analysis (Comparative costs analysis; optional costs analysis; Balanced Scorecard, Porter’s 5, human resource implications; [SWOT is ONLY for marketing cases] etc)
f. Write up your ANALYSIS
i. Use case facts and theories to explain what is going on in the case ii. Explain what has happened, why it happened
iii. Explain what is likely to happen
6)ALTERNATIVE Solutions
a. Write up a LIST/Couple OF viable SOLUTIONS
EACH solution must be complete and holistic – a complete viable solution to solve the problem. NEVER: say do nothing! (at least at university in a case given to you)
b. Discuss Advantages/ Disadvantages of each solution
7) RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on your LIST OF holistic and complete SOLUTIONS, select just one holistic and viable solution which most effectively deals with the issues/solves the problem(s) you identified AND that does not go against the CSFactors you identified.
8. IMPLEMENTATION: The step by step project plan to implement your recommendation. c. You are required to explain HOW the recommendation will be implemented.
9) CONCLUSION
Based on your final recommendation – make a concluding statement to finish off your case!
10. The Summary for the Executive (Done last – goes at top of report) Small Intro. Addressed to ; why I’m writing, what I looked at; (Intro section)
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  
Refer to the important strategic criteria (CSF section)
We recommend that you implement the (solution number __ but in words with detail) (recommendation section) Detail the $$costs to the organization and $$benefit and employee motivation. (solution section)
Layout the implementation plan including the time lines and costs or at least opportunity costs