HOW

TO

ANALYZE

AND

PREPARE

CASE

STUDIES

There is no best way to study and prepare a case, nor is there a standard form in
which to present your report. The manner of presentation depends upon the following:
(1) the nature of the case,
(2) the need for detail and supporting evidence, and
(3) the purpose for which your analysis is being made.
Unless you are instructed to the contrary, the governing principle is one of brevity
and conciseness. It is well to remember that the difficulties of inducing a reader to study
your report in detail increases at a rate greater than the increase in the number of pages
of the report.
Conciseness does not mean eliminating important areas of discussion, but rather
by economy of writing and clarity of style. Both depth and breadth are essential
elements of your analysis; a comprehensive analysis will not be superficial, nor will it
omit consideration of all important ideas bearing upon the thesis or exposition.
The following suggestions will help you study and prepare a case analysis,
whether oral or written:
1. Read the case thoroughly and completely. If possible put the case aside for a
time. Then carefully reread the case once or twice. Try to get an accurate
picture in your mind as to what is really going on in that particular situation.
2.

If the case is long, you may wish to make notes or summarize pertinent
information before proceeding with your analysis. Lawyers call it briefing a
case. This procedure may be unnecessary in preparing management cases if
the information has been thoroughly assimilated. A principal difficulty at this
stage is to sort out important information from data of little significance.

3. Formulate in writing a precise statement of the problem. This is an analytical

step, not a descriptive one. It does not help much to write down a rehearsed
version of problem-type statements lifted from the case data. Try to state the
problem in such a way as to show
(1) which individual or individuals must take some action, and
(2) why some kind of action must be taken at this particular time.
4. Note the key alternative decisions or courses of action which can be taken.
This is hypothesis-testing by marshaling evidence available in the case
material.
5.

Concerning the various hypotheses, raise the questions that demand an

answer. These are crucial questions which constitute the heart of your
analysis.

6.

Tentatively, weigh the evidence and select the hypothesis which can be
supported.

7. Organize the evidence so as to substantiate your case. Be sure to state your

conclusion clearly. Point out further actions which, if made, would improve the
situation or prevent a recurrence.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE WRITTEN REPORT
Putting your analysis into writing requires that the following points be considered:
1. Clarity and simplicity of written statements are essential. Use short sentences.
Be sparing in the use of descriptive adjectives. Avoid using passive voice.

2.

Be sure to tell who is doing what, pin down those who have to take
responsibility for certain actions, who made mistakes, who failed, who is weak
and so on.

3. Organize your writing so that the reader can identify a well-stated problem, an
organized solution, a set of conclusions or a summary of actions being
recommended.
4. Avoid statements of opinions or argumentative matters unless you are sure
that they cannot be contested in the context in which you have used them.
Your analysis must be supported primarily by facts and situations supplied by
you in the case itself, not the generalizations you have picked up in various
places.
5. An almost universal weakness in case analysis is that the writer fails to analyze
the outcome or possible effects of suggestions made. If for example, you
suggest that new equipment be purchased, you should also show that you
have thought about
(a) how to find the working capital to invest in this equipment,
(b) the location and space needed for the equipment,
(c) the manpower to operate the equipment, etc.
6. Spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure are vital in every piece of writing
you do. Your evaluator will judge you heavily on this score, so the sooner you
master this skill, the better. Treat your case assignment as would a problem
assigned by your employer.
GUIDE FOR THE ORAL CASE ANALYSIS
1. Define the problem in the case. - Each case represents a real-life situation.
Buried in each case is a multitude of business and management problems.
There may be more than one major problem presented, but each case problem
should be explicitly placed in order of importance. Defining the problem of a
case is often the most difficult job facing the business student. It should be
done very carefully, for the entire analysis depends on the problem definition.
2. Set your objectives for problem solution. - Once you have defined the problem
in the case (and to help you define it, if it is especially complex), the student
must decide what he wants to do. He must set explicit objectives that he
wants his decisions or actions to be accomplished. Without such objectives, it
would be impossible to tell a good decision from a bad one.
3. Outline alternative courses of action. - Once the problem has been outlined,
and the specific objectives have been isolated, the alternative solutions should
be examined. Each alternative will have its strengths and weaknesses, and
these should be made explicit. None will be perfect, but by keeping the
objectives and standards in mind, one or two approaches can be chosen. There
is no right or wrong problem solution, the merits of the case analysis depends
on the depth of analysis as well as the decision reached.
In any case, one will have to make assumptions about facts that are explicitly
outlined in the case. The fewer assumptions that have been made in the case
analysis, the better the analysis is. If you must make assumptions, they should
be explicit. In no case should a course of action revolve solely around an
assumption. If one uses an assumption to support the entire case, it cant be
strong.
4. Come to a conclusion. - Each one should decide upon a course of action before
coming to class. The very process of making a decision and preparing to
defend it should open the students eyes to the strengths and weaknesses of
his analysis. It is most important that decisions be directed at the problem as
defined and it is equally important that the consequences of the conclusions be
carefully examined.