I remember feeling so lost at the beginning of the Analysis of Business Problem course. Obviously, it was a new learning method so let’s say that is okay. However, two (2) weeks into the course and this problem still lingered. Therefore, I decided to attack backchanneling the identified challenge into an opportunity. Then, began my inquisitive quest for knowledge.
I resorted to research, reading, and for the benefit of getting along, I intentionally decided to like the course and the Tutor (she is brilliantly amazing). Also, I began asking questions in class (My colleagues know I don’t joke with my questions lol). Fortunately, it all began to make sense. I knew then, there was something I had started to do right. So, here is my little trick on how to approach case study analysis.
Case Reading and analysis strategy
This article presents tips on how to read cases and make logical analyses. It will help you think clearer and make a logical analysis of a subject matter – identifying important case facts, a better understanding of each paragraph/ section, and making logical reasoning/ inference necessary for criteria analysis and decisions.
Prepare for a case analysis by applying the following tips. Firstly, we have to know the structure for case study analysis. Then, explore further into effective case reading method as shown below.
I hope you enjoy this piece and practice this technique. When you do, it will be nice to hear about your experience and valuable feedback.
Steps in Case study analysis
- Understand the situation – identify and apply the strategy of critical thinking in collecting all relevant information through effective case reading.
- Identify the problem statement – it should be comprehensive to include your 5Ws and H – What, why, Where, Who, When and How.
- Define the objective – the goal to achieve/ fulfill.
- State your decision alternatives – The dilemma.
- Define the weighting criteria – means to achieve the objective. Employ it to evaluate your decision alternatives.
- Evaluate the consequences of each criterion against the set decision alternatives.
- Measure and decide the most optimal choice.
- Develop an action plan – make recommendations.
In the conclusion, state the identified results in numbers 2 – 8
Effective case reading strategy
Read and analyze each paragraph by asking yourself the following questions:
Step 1: What does this paragraph/section communicate?
Step 2: How does it answer/ contribute to the followings
- Identifying the problem or analysis of the identified problem statement.
- The Criteria analysis
- The 5Ws and 1H STARTEGY – This technique allows you to understand a situation, to discern a problem by analysing all the aspects.
- What (emphasises on expected result and significance)
- Where (source, position, direction)
- Who (people or people, authority)
- When (time, event or circumstance – case period and deadline)
- Why (refers to reason and purpose), and
- How (strategy, process, means/method)
- Is it a past/historic data, recent information, future expectation, or cultural behaviour?
- A possible solution/ decision – Impact of the information to the decision objective.
- What inference (conclusion, reasoning, assumption) can be deduced from it – summarize your idea/ understanding of the paragraph
Step 3: Connect the extracted reasoning to previously identified information/ facts then, summarise the idea again. If possible, use applicable Industry terminologies to summarize your idea/ opinion.
Step 4: Use case facts to explain and give examples of the deduced/ extract information (quantitative & qualitative).
Case Analysis & Solution
Step 5: Employ the identified information and given examples to make further projections in comparison to your decision criteria.
- For quantitative analysis, state the identified facts, examples, and financial information then employ the use of financial ratios (liquidity, valuations, profitability, solvency) applicable to the case information to analyse your criteria.
- Make financial projections to support your decision. E.g. Cost over the period of years or project setup, projected profit etc.
- For qualitative analysis, apply the extracted meaning/ reasoning from Step 2.
- Make recommendations based on future possibilities and impact of your selected criteria on the agreed decisions.
Step 6: Measure and decide the most optimal choice.
Step 7: Develop an action plan – make recommendations and conclude.
I hope this is helpful. Until next time. stay sharp and stay safe.
Article be Ezinne Okuku
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