One of the common types of assignments that you will be required to write in college is a case analysis. But writing case analysis is complicated because students are required to have multiple skills such as writing, analysis, and problem-solving. In this post, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write a case analysis for top grades.
What Is Case Analysis?
This is a type of academic writing that requires you to investigate a problem, identify alternative solutions, and select the ideal solution. Case studies are aimed at testing your mastery of different concepts taught in class. Note that although case studies are applied more in businesses related courses, they are also used in engineering, music, and other disciplines. Check the next section for a demonstration of how to write a case study analysis.
How To Write A Case Study Analysis
When you are faced with a case analysis type of assignment, the primary focus is ensuring to understand it well. Therefore, here are the main preparatory steps in writing a case study analysis:
- Examine the case carefully
This is perhaps the most important thing when working on a case study analysis. The purpose of the examination is to help you understand the presented facts and underlying problems. Therefore, you better have your pen and paper ready to capture key points. - Reread the analysis to narrow down your focus
After examining the case, reread it more carefully to narrow down the analysis. The goal is to identify the following:- About two-five points/ issues/ points.
- Establish why they exist.
- Establish their implications.
- Identify who is responsible for the problem.
- Identify possible solutions
Now that you have read the case and picked the main points, it is time to expand your reading to identify the best solutions. Therefore, look for more resources on the same topic to determine the best solution. Remember to support the solutions with evidence. Finally, pick the solution you consider the best.
Case Study Analysis Format
After gathering the relevant materials, you can now go ahead and write down your case analysis. Here is one of the best formats that you should consider when drafting your case study analysis.
- Introduction. When writing the introduction, start by introducing the problem you found in the case study. As in other types of academic papers, you should also include a clear thesis. This will help to inform the reader about your argument in the entire analysis.
- Background. In the background, you should dig deeper into the case and give the reader more information. Add facts, quotes, and more details that help to demonstrate the issues you have already identified. The focus is to show that you have articulately researched the topic.
- Case evaluation. In this section, you should outline the main points of focus in your case study analysis. Then, discuss the points of the study to showcase what is working and what is not. Put more emphasis on the components that are not working by telling the reader why they are not.
- Proposed changes/ solutions. The primary purpose of the case study analysis is to demonstrate whether a student is able to identify issues and craft workable solutions. Therefore, give specific changes or solutions that are needed to address the issues under consideration. Make sure to articulately support the suggestions using discussions, lectures, personal experiences, and resources from the library.
- Recommendations. After identifying the changes that should be adopted, you need to move a step further to give more recommendations. These are strategies that should go hand-in-hand with the solutions or changes suggested in part four. Make sure also to provide evidence to support the recommendations. To learn how to present the recommendations well, consider checking a leading sample case study paper from the library.
Special Tips For Writing Case Analysis
In order to increase the chances of raking more marks when writing case studies, here are some useful tips to consider.
- Make sure to read other case study analysis example write-ups to understand how it is done.
- Pick a great case study example and use it to hone personal writing skills. You could try to work on a similar case for practice before starting your case analysis assignment.
- Before submitting a case study analysis report, make sure to proofread carefully and correct mistakes.
- Start working on your case study analysis as early as possible. If you wait for the last minute, the chances are that you will not have ample time for research.
- If your teacher provided you with a specific guideline, make sure to follow it. For example, does the teacher want you to format the paper using MLA or APA style? Consider using an example of a case study analysis report to see how these styles are applied.
Case Study Analysis Example
Check out this case study sample from our writers at the custom case study writing service to get an idea of what to do when writing a case study analysis:
Aupperle and Karimalis (2001) in their article analyze the case of Disneyland Paris. According to the authors, the early Disneyland Paris (1992-1993) failed to take the notion of metaphors into account, which eventually led to a lower competitive advantage of the organization. The authors offer using the following metaphors in relation to Disneyland Paris – cultural Chernobyl, political football, organ transplant, and supermarket and stakeholders. These metaphors helps to acquire a better understanding of organization’s problems and needs. Similarly, Warhurst (2012) for his case study chose two UK local government organizations that were categorized as underperforming in national government audits. The problem within the organizations, according to the author, is that they did not use the non-formal learning methods effectively, while over-relying on formal means of learning. When discussing informal learning within the organizations, Warhurst (2012) offers using the following two metaphors – acquisition and participation.
The most important issue in Disneyland case study is that the organization is a ‘foreign transplant’, and, therefore, it did not obtain the same level of popularity as it did in the US. The organization failed to take into account the respective cultural differences. In addition, the organization is a ‘supermarket’ of various entertainment services, which means that it should aim to provide the types of entertainment that are diverse. In the meantime, the major issue in the two UK local government organizations was a strong focus on formal learning, with the simultaneous lack of attention towards the informal methods of learning, such as participation and involvement. It eventually led to lower levels of employee learning effectiveness.
The solutions offered in both articles are valid and bring hope to be effective. Disneyland Paris indeed should have constructed its functioning in a way that takes into account cultural differences and should have nurtured its image better. Authors’ use of metaphors made a very full contribution in terms of comprehending the problems faced by the organization better as well understanding the nature of Disneyland Paris better. Aupperle and Kalimaris (2001) offer changing managers’ narratives in a way that would enable learning from experience. This solution brings hope to be effective as it focuses on informal methods of employees’ learning, which recently has become more and more important within organizations (Rogoff et al, 2016).
One, however, could give some more recommendations as to how the problems faced by the above-mentioned organizations could be addressed more effectively. One possible way to encourage non-formal learning within organizations is by providing more individualized consideration. This is a dimension of transformational leadership that is reflected by the leader’s attention to individual employee needs for support, development, encouragement, and mentoring (Arifin et al., 2014). As to the case of Disneyland Paris, it might be helpful for the company to establish collaboration with other organizations that provide entertainment services in order to increase its popularity and its competitive advantage.
The authors did not discuss how solutions are expected to be communicated. As to the benefits of using metaphors, it is important to note that in consulting and scientific management it is customary to operate with models of organizations. But in ordinary life people often use images and metaphors (they are less structured than models and their boundaries are blurred). At what the head usually has one image and it very much limits its possibilities. Therefore, metaphors really play an important role of comprehending the functioning of an organization better. The idea of G. Morgan that an effective manager must operate with very different approaches sounds quite reasonable, but one should note that the possibilities of a person are limited.
And it is not even about the fact that a leader cannot contain all the wealth of knowledge about management (which also takes place), but foremost that a person chooses one or the other metaphor of management in accordance with his or her own characteristics. For instance, Mintzberg clearly shows this by the example of a chameleon, which is masked only under a certain habitat and does not change form. And according to Brishan and his colleagues, the manager who in the role that is closer to his or her personality turns out to be four times more effective. Mark Rozin, dividing the mentality of managers into strategic and opportunist, writes that one and the same goal can be achieved in different ways. Nevertheless, the idea of Morgan dedicated to the images of the organization, formulated a vivid and popular approach that is helpful today, as seen from the case studies above.
Seek Writing Help for Your Case Study Analysis
One notable thing about writing case study analysis is that they are never simple. If the case under consideration involves technical concepts, it might be difficult to work on even if you have a great case analysis example. The best alternative is using professional writing help and custom essay writing services.
Academic writing assistance is offered by professionals who understand what is a case study analysis and go to any length to guarantee you top grades. They have been in the industry for years and have assisted many students to pass with flying colors. And you know what? They are also cheap! So, reach them to have your paper written professionally and in record time!
