Case Study and how to analyze

Case Reading and analysis

Guidelines for reading cases and performing logical analysis.

This will make it easier for you to think clearly and analyze a subject matter logically; you’ll be able to recognize key case facts, comprehend each paragraph and section better, and draw the conclusions and logical inferences that are required for criterion analysis and decision-making. Apply the following advice as you get ready for your case analysis:

Case analysis structure

Step 1: Understand the situation—identify and apply the strategy of critical thinking in collecting all relevant information through effective case reading.

Step 2: Identify the problem statement – it should be comprehensive to include your 5Ws and H.

Step 3: Define the objective—the goal to achieve or fulfill.

Step 4: State your decisions alternatives—the dilemma.

Step 5: Define the weighting criteria – means to achieve the objective. Employ it to evaluate your decision alternatives.

Step 6: Evaluate the consequences of each criterion against the set decision alternative

Step 7: Measure and decide on the most optimal choice.

Step 8: Develop an action plan and make recommendations.

In your conclusion, state the identified results in Steps 2 – 8

Step 1 – Understanding the situation through a 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

1. Identifying the problem or analysis of the identified problem
2. Possible analysis criteria
3. The 5Ws and 1H STRATEGY – what (emphasizes expected result and significance) where (source, position, direction), who (people or people, authority), when (time, event, or circumstance – case period and deadline), why (ref to reason and purpose), and How (strategy, process, means/method)
4. Is it past, recent, future, or cultural behavior?
5. A possible solution
6. 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.

Step 4: Use case facts to explain and give examples of the extracted information (quantitative and 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 analyze 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 the impact of your selected criteria on the agreed-upon decisions.

Step 6: Measure and decide on the most optimal choice. Step 7: Develop an action plan, make recommendations, and conclude.

Additional information
Judgment is about reasonable conclusions. Critical thinking is when you can take something apart and put it back together. Any time you have a case study to handle or analyze, always read the case study three times.