BA 298 Business Research Analysis Case Analysis Format

BA 298 Business Research Analysis Case Analysis Format Outline

Case Analysis Outline I. Statement of the Problem II. Issue Analysis III. Presentation and Discussion of Alternatives IV. Plan of Action V. Summary

I. Statement of the Problem Most of the cases contain a strategic problem Some cases may have a very tactical perspective The apparent tactical problem disguises a more fundamental strategic problem A good presentation should start out with a clear definition of the strategic problem

II. Issue Analysis The issue analysis reflects your understanding of the strategic problem and presents information that will ultimately bear upon problem solution. Sometimes a large amount of information in a case is irrelevant to your analysis It may have been put there either for the completeness of the case or even to distract you away from more important pieces of information. At some point in your issue analysis, you must say why you consider these as key issues and how they relate to each other.

II. Issue Analysis An issue analysis might contain (in order of importance) Facts (especially numerical types of information) Opinions (of the current management as well as your own) Assumptions (which should be clearly stated since your alternatives and problem solution may depend upon them).

III. Presentation and Discussion of Alternatives For a problem to exist, there must be two or more alternative courses of action. Usually, each course of action will have advantages and disadvantages with respect to solving the problem. Quality of your overall solution will almost always depend upon the quality of the alternative solutions you have considered.

III. Presentation and Discussion of Alternatives The most creative aspect of case analysis is in the area of alternative generation. Try and generate additional alternatives. In an alternative discussion, list each alternative as a major heading with the advantages and disadvantages of each listed below them. A matrix presentation format might be used.

IV. Plan of Action The POA is the implementation of your alternative. In a complete case analysis, the POA is often considered to be the most important aspect of the case. If you were only going to have one part of the total case analysis, it would be the POA, since it represents your solution to the problem.

IV. Plan of Action The POA should be as clear and as detailed as time and space allow. Most good POA’s will have a product—market focus. In other words, a clear definition of the product and its benefits to specific market segments. The remainder of the POA is usually a logical extension of a consistent business strategy, supported by financial analysis, consumer analysis, market research, and information systems.

Summary Recognize that there is rarely one single case solution. Have a Contingency Plan wherever possible. There may be two or more alternatives which, if properly implemented will solve the problem. This is another reason for a detailed, convincing plan of action. Your plan of action should support and defend the alternative you chose, even though it may be different from another equally convincing alternative.