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Writing a Case Study Analysis

When writing a case study analysis, you must first have a good understanding of thecase study. Before you begin the steps below, read the case carefully, taking notes all

the while. It may be necessary to read the case several times to fully grasp the issues

facing the company or industry.

Once you are comfortable with the information, begin the step-by-step instructions

offered below to write a case study analysis. Make sure your case analysis is divided

under proper sub-headings.

1. Case Summary/Synopsis/Introduction - This section should provide a brief

introduction about the company or industry (if it is an industry case study), the

geographic and time setting of the case (when the events in the case appeared

and whether specific to Indian market or the US or global). It is also required

to very briefly mention the primary issues or problems to be addressed.

2. Analysis This section should contain your analysis of the facts/issues in the

case and will probably be the longest section of the case analysis. This section

should include an analysis of the qualitative information as well as any

quantitative data included with the case. In this section you should be careful

to stay away from stating opinions, but should focus on a factual presentation

of the information contained in the case in such a way as to build the case for

the next section. Case studies that have decision-making situations like

entering a new market, launching a new product, etc., require a SWOT

analysis.

3. Problems/Issues - This will probably be a relatively brief section in which

you present what you believe to be the primary issue(s) facing the company in

the case. The issue(s) identified in this section should flow logically from the

analysis presented in the Analysis section.

4. Suggestions/Alternatives In this section you should enumerate a number (2-

3) of mutually exclusive suggestions to address the problem/s. In some case

studies the alternatives for the problem are mentioned. In such a situation, you

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should provide a short discussion of the advantages/disadvantages of each

alternative/suggestion.

5. Choice of Alternative/Recommendations This section should provide a

more detailed discussion of the particular alternative you believe will best

address the issue(s) identified. You need to identify the best alternative

(optimum) and substantiate your alternative with facts from the case study.

You should be sure to explicitly discuss how and why this alternative will

address the issue(s) identified.

6. Closing Note/Conclusion Restate the problem and the alternative identified

and explain briefly why it is appropriate solution.

7. Questions If questions are asked at the end of the question, by now you

would have figured out what the explanation should be. Though the analysis

of the case study is done in the previous sections, you should answer the

questions that are put forth at the end of the case study

Dos and Donts while writing the case analysis

1. Be sure to conduct an analysis of the information presented in the case rather than

simply restating the facts in the case. This is probably the most common error made

by students when writing case reports. An analysis is an objective look at the

information and leads to more subjective decision as to the primary issues/problems.

2. Make sure that the issue(s) you identify flows logically from the analysis

conducted. In addition, be sure that the alternatives presented, and in particular the

one chosen, address the issue(s) identified.

3. Extensive centre and side headings should be used with a narrative rather than an

outline style of presentation. One of the most important aspects of presenting a case

analysis is the logical order in which it is presented. Make sure that you use headings

and sub-headings to break up your thoughts and direct the reader/evaluator.

4. The report should be free of grammar, spelling, and typographical errors.

5. You should write your report from the perspective of an outside consulting group

called in to analyze a set of facts presented to you by the organization in question.

Accordingly, it is your responsibility to SOLVE the problem faced by the firm.

However, this can be ignored if the case study is a letter from the CEO (for instance,

the case study on DEI Airlines discussed in some sections) asking you to step into her

shoes to solve the problem.

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8. Although this is presented last, it is the most important -- be sure to

support/justify any statement you make. It is this that is at the heart of

conducting a case analysis. In order to be able to state that "______ is the

central issue to be addressed" requires a great deal of supporting facts from the

case study (drawing conclusions from the facts stated). To be able to say

"_______ is not that great of a concern" also requires a great deal of support.

Each alternative and the ultimate recommendation require that you provide

support as to why each might and/or might not work.9. A final tip on time management. The questions in your other sections of the

question paper require a straight answer. But the case study requires time to

understand and analyse. Divide time accordingly.

Good Luck!!!!

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