Guide to Case Analysis

What is a case study?

Guide to Case Analysis

What is a case study?

A case study is a description of a real problem that a decision maker has faced. Your job is to define the problem, analyze and interpret the information the decision maker had, and recommend some kind of action. The information you are given may be incomplete; some of it may be irrelevant. Still, you must make the best possible decision. Keep in mind that the case has been prepared for educational use; therefore, certain situations in the case may be highlighted while others may be downplayed or omitted.

Why do we use case studies?

Since we are dealing with real life business activities, a case study provides an opportunity to put textbook theory into practice. You will be asked to identify a problem and solve it. In doing so, you will sharpen your analytic skills such as comprehension, assessment, synthesis, application, and evaluation. You will notice that, as you progress through the cases, your decision-making skills will improve.

How do I complete a case study?

Read the case. Underline key points and jot down your initial impressions of the major and minor problems.

Practise your questioning skills by asking yourself questions such as the following:

• What are the causes of the problem?
• Are there one or two root problems that cause other problems?
• Which problem should be dealt with first?
• Does this case illustrate one or more general issues?

If someone reading your analysis can still ask why? or how?, your answer is not finished.

 

1. Read the case again and try to answer your questions.
 
2. Write a clear definition of the problems, based on your analysis of the facts of the case.
 
3. List as many solutions as you can for each problem, and consider the consequences of each solution.
 
4. Consider the appropriate criteria for the decision. These vary from case to case but could include measures like profitability, cost, customer satisfaction, or quality (among many others). It is also important to keep in mind that multiple measures may be important but prioritizing among these measures is necessary.
 
5. Recommend the best alternative, and justify your choice with specific references to evidence from the case material.
 
6. Decide how you will assess whether your recommendations would have solved the problem. Consider any important consequences of your recommendations.
 
7. One way to speculate on possible outcomes is to include if/then statements. Perhaps you have heard a meteorologist use this type of statement: “If the high-pressure cell comes this way, then it will snow.”
 
8. Complete your written report. It should include the following sections:

 

Why do we use case studies?

 

(Mauffette-Leenders, Erskine, & Leenders, 1999)

How can I improve my analysis?

Make sure your analysis is objective. Always consider every side of an argument. Do a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis. For example, note the strengths of an organization and its members, not just the weaknesses. Look at both opportunities and threats. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the firm itself, of the proposed opportunity, and of the firm as it relates to the opportunity.
 

Distinguish clearly among fact, opinion, and assumption.
 
Weigh your evidence. Some pieces of evidence are more important than others. State how much importance you are attaching to each.
 
Be thorough. Remember to analyze the fundamental problem, not just its symptoms or parts. Introduce as much evidence as you require, and list as many alternatives as you can.
 
Check to see that your recommendations follow from the evidence in the case. Recommendations that are not supported by evidence are worthless. Recommendations should also be supportable based on the appropriate decision criteria.
 
Make a clear set of recommendations, without a great deal of qualification. Do not recommend passing the problem on to consultants.
 
Ensure that the organization has the resources to be able to implement your recommendations and that there are no insurmountable or costly barriers to their implementation.
 
Include the consequences of your recommendations, including any further problems you anticipate.

How can I improve my written assignment?

Get to the point. Do not “pad” your analysis with irrelevant information and unsupported opinion.
 
Do not simply repeat phrases from the case or text. Show that you have correctly interpreted the facts. Paraphrase to show that you have understood the concept presented. Note that plagiarism (presenting someone else’s words and ideas as your own) is serious academic misconduct.
 
Draw upon information and concepts from the course. As this is a course assignment, markers are looking for your response to show you have learned the material.
 
Watch for inconsistencies in your argument and leaps of logic.
 
Avoid the passive voice. The easiest way to do this is to put the subject first, then the verb, then the object. For example, “The president fired the manager” is more active than “The manager was fired by the president.”
 
Leave out jargon, even if the case includes it. For example, write “pay cut,” not “salary downsizing.”
 
Vary the length of your sentences to add interest.
 
Spell consistently. For example, do not write “analyse” in one sentence and “analyze” in the next. Choose a dictionary and stay with it.
 
Check for typographical errors and spelling mistakes. Look up spelling whenever you are unsure.
 
Rewrite until you are satisfied with your assignment. Count on at least one draft and a final rewrite but plan for more.