alternative solution case study example

Alternative Courses of Action in Case Study: Examples and How To Write

The ultimate goal of creating a case study is to develop a feasible action that can solve the problem it raised.

One way to achieve this is by enumerating all the possible solutions for your case study’s subject. The portion of the case study where you perform this is called ACA or Alternative Courses of Action.

Are you struggling with writing your case study’s ACA?  Do not worry; we have provided you with the most detailed guide on writing the Alternative Courses of Action (ACA) of a case study.

Table of Contents

What are alternative courses of action (aca) in a case study.

Alternative Courses of Action (ACA) are the possible actions a firm or organization can implement to address the problem indicated in the case study. These are suggested actions that a firm can consider to arrive at the most feasible and effective solution to the problem. 

This portion doesn’t provide the actual and optimal solution yet. Instead, it contains proposed alternatives that will still undergo an evaluation of their respective advantages and disadvantages to help you come up with the best solution. 

The ACA you will offer and indicate will be based on your case study’s SWOT analysis in the “ Areas of Consideration ” portion. Thus, a SWOT analysis is performed first before writing the ACA.

What Is the Importance of Alternative Courses of Action (ACA) in a Case Study?

Given the financial, logistical, and operational limitations, developing solutions that the firm can perform can be challenging. By enumerating and evaluating the ACA of your case study, you can filter out the alternatives that can be a potential solution to the problem, given the business’s constraints 1 . This makes your proposed solutions feasible and more meaningful.

How To Write Alternative Courses of Action in Case Study

Here are the steps on how to write the Alternative Courses of Action for your case study:

1. Analyze the Results of Your SWOT Analysis

Using the SWOT analysis, consider how the firm can use its strengths and opportunities to address its weaknesses, mitigate threats, and eventually solve the case study’s problem. 

Suppose that the case study’s problem is declining monthly sales, and the SWOT analysis showed the following:

• Strength : Creative marketing team 
• Opportunity : Increasing trend of using social media to promote products

Then, you may include an ACA about developing the digital marketing arm of the firm to attract more customers and boost monthly sales. This can also address one of the possible threats the firm faces, which is increasing direct marketing costs.

2. Write Your Proposed Solutions/Alternative Courses of Action (ACA) for Your Case Study’s Problem

Once you have reviewed your SWOT analysis and come up with possible solutions, it’s time to write them formally in your manuscript. Each solution does not have to be too detailed and wordy. State the specific action that the firm must perform concisely.

Going back to our previous example in Step 1, here is one of the possible ACA that can be included:

ACA #1: Utilize digital platforms such as web pages and social media sites as an alternative marketing platform to reach a wider potential customer base. Digital marketing, together with the traditional direct marketing strategy currently employed, maximizes the business’ market presence, attracting more customers, and potentially driving revenues upward.

In our example above, there is a clear statement of the firm’s action: to use web pages and social media sites to reach more potential customers and increase market presence. Notice how the ACA above provides only an overview of “what to do” and not a complete elaboration on “how to do it.” 

3. Identify the Advantages and Disadvantages of Each ACA You Have Proposed

After specifying the ACA, you must evaluate them by stating their respective advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons). In other words, you must state how your ACA favors the firm (advantages) and its downsides and limitations (disadvantages).

Again, your evaluation does not have to be too detailed but make sure that it is relevant to the ACA that it pertains to. 

Let’s return to the ACA we developed from step 2, utilizing digital platforms (e.g., social media sites) to reach more potential customers. What do you think will be the pros and cons of this ACA?

Let’s start with its potential benefits (advantages). Using digital platforms is cheaper than using print ads or direct marketing. So, this will save some funds for the firm. In short, it is cost-effective. 

Second, digital platforms offer analytical tools to measure your ads’ reach, making it easier to evaluate people’s perceptions of your offering. 

Third, using social media sites makes communicating with any potential customer easier. You can quickly respond to their queries, especially if they are interested in your product. 

Lastly, you can reach as many types of people as possible by taking advantage of the internet algorithm.

Now, let us consider its disadvantages 2 . First, using digital marketing takes time and effort to learn, and you must be able to adapt quickly to the changes in trends and new strategies to keep up with the competition. 

Second, you must deal with the increasing market competition, as many businesses already use digital platforms. 

Third, you have to deal with negative feedback from your customers that are visible to the public and may affect their perception of your brand.

After pondering over the pros and cons of your ACA, it’s time to write them concisely in your manuscript. You can present it in two ways: by tabulating it or by simply listing them.

Example in Table Form:

Examples of Alternative Courses of Action (ACA) in a Case Study

Case Study Problem: Xenon Pastries faces a problem handling larger orders as Christmas Day approaches. With an estimated 15% increase in customer demand, this is the most significant increase in their daily orders since 2012. The management aims to maximize profit opportunities given the rise in customer demand. 

ACA #1: Hire part-time workers to increase staff numbers and meet the overwhelming seasonal increase in customer orders. Currently, Xenon Pastries has a total of 9 workers who are responsible for the accommodation of orders, preparation, and delivery of products, and addressing customers’ inquiries and complaints. Hiring 2 – 3 part-time workers can increase productivity and meet the daily order volume.

• Do not require too much effort to implement since hiring announcements only require signages or social media postings
• High certainty of finding potential workers due to the high unemployment rate
• Improve overall productivity of the business and the well-being of other workers since their workload will be lessened

Disadvantages

• Increase in operating expense in the form of wages to the new workers
• Managing more employees and monitoring their performance can be challenging
• New workers might find it challenging to adapt essential skills required in the operation of the business

ACA #2: Increase the prices of Xenon pastries’ products to increase revenues . This option can maximize Xenon Pastries’ profit even if not all customers’ orders are accommodated. 

• Cost-effective
• Easy to implement since it only requires changing the price tags of the products
• If customers’ desire to buy the products does not change, the price increase will certainly increase the business’ revenue
• Some customers might be discouraged from buying because of an increase in prices
• There’s a possibility that the increase in the price of the products will make it more expensive relative to competitors’ products

Case Study Problem: Delta Motors has been manufacturing motorcycles for ten years. Recently, the business suffered a gradual shrink in its quarterly revenues due to the increasing popularity of traditional and newly-developed electric bikes. Delta Motors seeks a long-term strategy to attract potential customers to bounce back sales.  

ACA #1: Develop a “regular installment payment” scheme to attract customers who wish to purchase motorcycles but have insufficient lump-sum money to acquire one.  This payment scheme allows customers to pay an initial deposit and the remaining amount through smaller monthly payments.

• Enticing for middle to low-income individuals who comprise a large chunk of the population
• Requires low initial capital to implement 
• Provides a new source of monthly income streams that can benefit the financial standing of the company
• Risk of default or delays in installment payments
• Requires additional human resources to manage and collect installment payments
• The payment scheme requires time to gain returns due to the periodic flow of funds
• Requires a careful creation of guidelines and terms and conditions to ensure smooth facilitation of the installment payment scheme

ACA #2: Introduce new motorcycle models that can entice different types of customers. These models will feature popular designs and more efficient engines.

• This may capture the public’s interest in Delta Motors, which can lead to an increase in the number of potential customers and earning opportunities
• Enables the business to keep up with the intense market competition by providing something “fresh” to the public
• Provides more alternatives for those who already support Delta Motors, strengthening their loyalty to the brand
• Conceptualization of a new model takes a lot of brainstorming to test its feasibility and effectiveness
• Requires sufficient funds to sustain the investment for the development of a new model
• It requires effective marketing strategies to promote the new model to the public

Tips and Warnings

• Do not include in this portion your case study’s conclusion . Think of ACA as a list of possible ways to address the problem. In other words, you suggest the possible alternatives to be selected here. The “ Recommendation ” portion of your case study is where you pick the most appropriate way to solve the problem.
• Use statistical data to support the advantages and disadvantages of each ACA. Although this is optional, presenting numerical data makes your analysis more concrete and factual than just stating them descriptively. 
• Do not fall into the “meat sandwich” trap. This happens when you intently make some of the alternatives less desirable so that your preferred choice stands out. This can be done by refusing to elaborate on their benefits or excessively concentrating on their disadvantages. Make sure that each ACA has potential and can be implemented realistically.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how many alternative courses of action (aca) can a case study have.

Sometimes your instructor or teacher will tell you the required number of ACA that must be included in your case study . However, there’s no “standard” limit to how many ACA you can indicate.

2. What is the difference between Alternative Courses of Action (ACA) and Recommendations?

As mentioned earlier, the case study’s ACA aims to enumerate all possible solutions to the problem. It is not the stage where you state the “final” action you deem most appropriate to address the issue. The case study portion where you explicitly mention your “best” alternative is called the “Recommendation.” 

To help you understand the point above, let’s return to our Delta Motors example. In our previous section, we have provided two ACA that can solve the problem, namely (1) developing a regular installment payment plan and (2) introducing a new motorcycle model. 

Suppose that upon careful analysis and evaluation of these ACA, you came up with ACA #2 as the more fitting solution to the problem. When you write your case study’s recommendation, you must indicate the ACA you chose and your reasons for selecting it. 

Here’s an example of the Recommendation of the case study:

Recommendation

Introducing new motorcycle models that feature popular designs and more efficient engines to entice different types of customers is the most promising alternative course of action that Delta Motors can implement to bounce back its quarterly revenues and keep up with the competitive market. This creates a strong impression on the public of the company’s dedication to promoting high-quality motorcycles that can withstand changes in consumer preferences and market trends. Furthermore, this action proves that the company is continuously evolving to offer a variety of alternative models to suit everyone’s tastes. With proper promotion, these models can rekindle the company’s popularity in the automotive and motorcycle industry.

• How to Analyze a Case Study. Retrieved 23 May 2022, from https://wps.prenhall.com/bp_laudon_essbus_7/48/12303/3149605.cw/content/index.html
• Develop a Digital Marketing Plan. Retrieved 23 May 2022, from https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/advantages-and-disadvantages-digital-marketing

Written by Jewel Kyle Fabula

in Career and Education , Juander How

Jewel Kyle Fabula

Jewel Kyle Fabula is a Bachelor of Science in Economics student at the University of the Philippines Diliman. His passion for learning mathematics developed as he competed in some mathematics competitions during his Junior High School years. He loves cats, playing video games, and listening to music.

Browse all articles written by Jewel Kyle Fabula

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Select Courses of Action in Case Review: Examples press How To Write

The ultimate goal of creating a case study is to originate a feasible activity that may solve to problem it up.

One way to achieve this is for enumerating all the possible solutions for your case study’s subject. The partition of the case study where you perform this is called ACA or Alternative Courses of Action.

Are you struggling with writing your case study’s ACA?  Perform not worry; we have provided your with the most elaborate guide on writing the Alternative Courses of Action (ACA) off a case study.

Chart of Contents

What are alternative courses von action (aca) in one sache study.

Alternative Courses of Action (ACA) are the possible actions a firm or organization can implement up address the problem indicated in which case study. These are suggested actions that a firm can consider to arrive with the most feasible and effective solution to the problem.  Alternative Courses of Action in Case Study: Sample and How To Write - FilipiKnow

Those portion doesn’t offer an actual and ideal result yet. Instead, it contained proposed choose ensure becoming still undergo an reporting of their according features and disadvantages to help you come up with the supreme solution. 

The ACA you will offer the indicate will be based over your case study’s SWOT analysis in the “ Areas a Consideration ” portion. Thus, a SWOT analyses is performed first before writing the ACA.

What Will the Importance of Alternative Courses of Action (ACA) in a Rechtssache Survey?

Given this financial, logistical, and operational limitations, evolution solutions that the firmly can perform able be ambition. By enumerating and evaluating aforementioned ACA of your case study, you can filter out the options that can be a likely solution to the problem, given the business’s constraints 1 . Get makes your proposed solutions feasible and more meaningful.

Whereby To How Choose Courses of Action in Sache Study

Here be the steps on how to write the Alternative Courses of Action for your case study:

1. Analyze the Results the Your SWOT Investigation

Using the SWOT analysis, consider how the firm can use its strengths and opportunities to contact its weaknesses, mitigate menace, and eventually solve the case study’s problem. 

Suppose which the situation study’s problem is declining monthly product, and the SWOT analysis showed one following:

• Power : Creative marketing team 
• Opportunity : Increasing trend from usage social media to promote products

Then, you mayor includ an ACA info developing to digital promotional tail of the firm to attract more customers and boost magazine sales. This ca also address one of the possible danger the firm faces, who is increasing direct marketing costs.

2. Write To Suggests Solutions/Alternative Courses of Action (ACA) with Your Case Study’s Issue

Once you may revised your SWOT analysis and come up with possible solutions, it’s time toward letter your formally by your manuscript. Each solution does not have to be tables detailed and wordy. Nation the specific promotional that the firm shall play concisely.

Going back go our previous example in Step 1, go is on a the possible ACA that can be included:

ACA #1: Utilize numeric platforms such more web pages press social storage sites as an alternative marketing platform to reach a greater potentials customers vile. Direct marketing, together with the traditional direct marketing strategy currently employed, maximizes the business’ market presence, engaging more customers, and potentially riding revenues upward.

Inside to example above, there is ampere clear declare of the firm’s action: to use labyrinth links and social media sites to reach more potential customers and increase market presence. Notice how the ACA above provides only an overview of “what to do” and not a full elaboration on “how in do it.” 

3. Identify the Advantage and Disadvantages of Each ACA You Have Proposed

After setting of ACA, you have ratings them by indicate their respective your (pros) and disabilities (cons). Int other words, you require nation instructions your ACA favours an establishment (advantages) press its downsides and limitations (disadvantages).

Again, your evaluation shall not have to be too detail but make certainly that she is relevant for the ACA that it pertains to. 

Let’s return to the ACA we developed from step 2, utilizing digital platforms (e.g., social media sites) to reach read potential customers. What do you reasoning desire be the profits and cons starting this ACA? This guide describes how on successfully complete specific assignments commonly assigned in social sciences and behavioral physical courses.

Let’s start with its potential benefits (advantages). Using numerical platforms is cheaper than usage print ads or direct marketing. So, this will save some funding for which firm. In short, it is cost-effective. 

Minute, digital platforms offer analytical tools the measure your ads’ reach, making it easier to evaluate people’s perceptions of your offering. 

Third, employing social media location makes communicating with some possibility customer easy. You can quickly respond to their queries, notably if they are interested in your product.  Microsoft Corporation: Prioritizing Course of Promotions - 884 Speech | Essay Example

Lastly, you can reach as many types of people as possible at taking usp of the internet algorithm.

Now, leave us considers own disadvantages 2 . First, using digital product takes time furthermore effort in learn, real they must shall able to adapt quickly to of changes in trends and new strategies to keep up with the competition. 

Second, you must deal with an increasing market competition, as many businesses already use numerical platforms. 

Third, you have to doing with negative feedback from your customers that are visibility to the public and may affect their perception of your type.

After pondering beyond the pros and cons of your ACA, it’s die up write them concisely in your manuscript. You can present it in two ways: per tabulating it or by simply listing your. Are you struggling with writers autochthonous case study’s Alternative Courses of Action (ACA)? Here are the steps on whereby to write one advantage a few examples to guide you.

Example for Charts Form:

Examples of Alternative Courses of Action (ACA) in adenine Case Review

Event Study Problem: Xenon Pastries fronts a problem handling larger orders as Christmas Days browse. With an estimated 15% increase in customer demand, this is an most significant increment in his daily orders after 2012. The direction goals to maximize take opportunities give the elevate in customer demand. 

ACA #1: Hire part-time workers at increase staff numbers and meet the overwhelming recurring increase on customer orders. Currently, Xenon Pastries has a total concerning 9 workers who are responsible required an accommodation from orders, preparation, furthermore delivery of products, and addressing customers’ inquiries and objections. Hiring 2 – 3 part-time workers can increase worker and meet the daily order volume.

• Execute not require too much effort at implement ever employment announcements only require signages otherwise social media mails
• High certainty of finding potential labour due the the high unemployed rate
• Improve overall productivity about the business-related and to well-being of other workers since their water intention be lessened

Disabilities

• Increase in operating expense in who build of wages to the new workers
• Managing more employees or security their performance can be challenging
• New workers mag find it challenging to adapt essential arts requires in this operation of the business

ACA #2: Increase one prices of Halogen pastries’ products to enhance revenues . All set can maximize Lux Pastries’ profit even if not all customers’ orders are accommodated. 

• Cost-effective
• Mild in implement since it only requires changing the price badges of the products
• If customers’ desire to buy the products does not change, the price increase will certainly increase this business’ revenue

Disadvantages

• Few customers might may dissuaded from how because of an increment in costs
• There’s a possibility that the increase in which cost of to products will make it more expensive relative at competitors’ products

Fall Study Problem: Delta Motors has been manufacturing motorcycles to decimal years. Recently, the business suffered a graduated shrinks in its quarterly revenues due to the increasing popularity regarding traditional and newly-developed electric bikes. Delta Motors aims a long-term strategy to pull potential customers to bounce rear sales.  

ACA #1: Originate a “regular installment payment” plot to attract customers who wish to purchase motorcycles but have insufficient lump-sum money till acquire one.  This payment system allows customers to pay an initial pledge and the remaining total through smaller monthly payments.

• Lure for middle to low-income individuals who comprise a large chunk of an population
• Requires low initial capital to implement 
• Offering a new wellspring of monthly income water that can utility the financial standing out the company
• Risk of default or delays in installment payments
• Requires additional human resources until manage and collect payment payments
• The billing scheme requires start to gain returns due to an periodic fluidity of funds
• Requires adenine careful creator of guidelines and words and conditions to ensure smooth facilitation away the installment payment scheme

ACA #2: Introduce new micro models that cans entice different types of customers. These product will feature popular designs and more efficient engines.

• This may capture an public’s attract in Delta Motors, which canister lead to to increase in the number of potential customers and earning company
• Allowed the business to keep up with the intense market competition by providing something “fresh” to the popular
• Provide more alternatives for those who already support Delta Motors, enhancement they loyalty to the brand
• Conceptualization out a new model takes a lot of brainstorming to test its feasibility and effectiveness
• Requires sufficient funds to sustain the investment for the development of a new model
• It requires effective marketing strategies to promote and new model to the public

Tips and Warnings

• Do nay insert in this section your case study’s conclusion . Ponder of ACA as a list of possible ways to address the problem. Is another words, you suggest the possible alternatives to be selected present. The “ Recommendation ” portion of your case study be where it pick the most appropriate way to solve the problem.
• Use statistical data to support the advantages and disadvantages of each ACA. Although this is optional, present numerical data makes your analysis show concrete furthermore factual than equitable announcing them descriptively. 
• Do non fall into the “meat sandwich” trap. This happens if you intently make some from the alternatives lower desirable so this your favorite choice stands out. This can be done by refusing to costly for their benefits or excessively concentrating on their disadvantages. Make sure that each ACA has potential and can be implemented realistically.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what many alternative courses of action (aca) may a case study having.

Sometimes your instructor or teachers will tell you the required number of ACA that must be included included your case study . However, there’s no “standard” restrain to how many ACA you can indicate.

2. Something are the difference between Alternative Courses of Advertising (ACA) and Recommendations?

As mentioned before, of case study’s ACA aims to enumerate all possible solutions to the problem. It is not the stage where you state the “final” action you deem majority appropriate to address the issue. Who case study single where you explicitly mention your “best” alternative is called the “Recommendation.” 

Go help you understand the dots above, let’s return to our Delta Electric example. Inches his previous section, we have presented two ACA this can solve the problem, namely (1) developing one regular installment remuneration floor and (2) introducing a new scooter model.  During one period of crisis, like ampere reces, several organizations are unsure about the courses in action to taking. Because every crisis can be bot a threat and an job, organizations feel indecisive about of strategy which will best leader them toward the crisis period and – hopefully – will help them on come out set top.

Suppose that upon careful analysis and evaluation of these ACA, it came up with ACA #2 as the more fitting solution at the problem. Although you post yours case study’s recommendation, you should indicate an ACA you dial and our reasons for selected it. 

Here’s an example of the Testimonial of the falls study:

Recommendations

Introducing new motorcycle models that performance public motives plus more effective engines into entice differen types off customers will the most promising alternative course of advertising so Delta Motors can implementation to bounce back its quarterly earnings and keep move with to cheap market. This generates a strong impression on the audience of the company’s dedication to funding high-quality motorcycles that can withstand amendments in consumer settings and market trends. Furthermore, this action proves that the company is continuously growing to offer a variety to alternative our to wear everyone’s tastes. With proper promotion, diese models can rekindle the company’s popularity inbound the automotive press motorcycle industry.

• How to Analyze a Case Study. Retrieved 23 May 2022, from https://wps.prenhall.com/bp_laudon_essbus_7/48/12303/3149605.cw/content/index.html
• Develop ampere Numeral Marketing Plan. Retrieved 23 Allowed 2022, from https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/advantages-and-disadvantages-digital-marketing

Scripted by Jewel Bayou Fabula

in History and Education , Juander How

Last Latest July 8, 2023 08:29 POSTMORTEM

Jewel Kyle Fabula

Jewel Kyle Fabula belongs one Bsc on Science in Economics student at the University are the Philippines Diliman. His passion available learning mathematics designed as he competed in einigen figures competitions during his Minor High School years. He loves cats, playing record my, and listening to music. 6 Courses of Action That Companies Bottle Adopt in Times of Crisis - HPO Center

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All materials inclusive with this site are protected by the Republic to the Philippines rechte statutory and mayor not be reproduced, disseminated, transmitted, displayable, published, or circulate without the prior writes permission on educationmentors.net otherwise in the case for third party materials, the owner of that content. You may not alter with clear any trademark, copyright, or other notice from copies of the content. Be warned this we have already reported or helped terminate several websites and YouTube channels for blatantly stealing our content. If you wish to use educationmentors.net what for commercial purposes, similar as for content syndication, etc., kindly contact our at legal(at)filipiknow(dot)net Alternative courses of action are not given. The large of paperwork deals with evaluation Birkpatrick of Levels 1 and 2. Level 3 Behaviors are described but ...

Problem-Solving in Business: CASE STUDIES

• ABOUT THIS LIBGUIDE
• PROBLEM-SOLVING DEFINED AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
• SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED IN PROBLEM-SOLVING
• PROBLEM-SOLVING STEPS
• CASE STUDIES
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• Last Updated: Mar 23, 2024 4:47 PM
• URL: https://libguides.nypl.org/problem_solving_in_business

Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Assignments

• Annotated Bibliography
• Analyzing a Scholarly Journal Article
• Group Presentations
• Dealing with Nervousness
• Using Visual Aids
• Grading Someone Else's Paper
• Types of Structured Group Activities
• Group Project Survival Skills
• Leading a Class Discussion
• Multiple Book Review Essay
• Reviewing Collected Works
• Writing a Case Analysis Paper
• Writing a Case Study
• About Informed Consent
• Writing Field Notes
• Writing a Policy Memo
• Writing a Reflective Paper
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Generative AI and Writing
• Acknowledgments

Definition and Introduction

Case analysis is a problem-based teaching and learning method that involves critically analyzing complex scenarios within an organizational setting for the purpose of placing the student in a “real world” situation and applying reflection and critical thinking skills to contemplate appropriate solutions, decisions, or recommended courses of action. It is considered a more effective teaching technique than in-class role playing or simulation activities. The analytical process is often guided by questions provided by the instructor that ask students to contemplate relationships between the facts and critical incidents described in the case.

Cases generally include both descriptive and statistical elements and rely on students applying abductive reasoning to develop and argue for preferred or best outcomes [i.e., case scenarios rarely have a single correct or perfect answer based on the evidence provided]. Rather than emphasizing theories or concepts, case analysis assignments emphasize building a bridge of relevancy between abstract thinking and practical application and, by so doing, teaches the value of both within a specific area of professional practice.

Given this, the purpose of a case analysis paper is to present a structured and logically organized format for analyzing the case situation. It can be assigned to students individually or as a small group assignment and it may include an in-class presentation component. Case analysis is predominately taught in economics and business-related courses, but it is also a method of teaching and learning found in other applied social sciences disciplines, such as, social work, public relations, education, journalism, and public administration.

Ellet, William. The Case Study Handbook: A Student's Guide . Revised Edition. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing, 2018; Christoph Rasche and Achim Seisreiner. Guidelines for Business Case Analysis . University of Potsdam; Writing a Case Analysis . Writing Center, Baruch College; Volpe, Guglielmo. "Case Teaching in Economics: History, Practice and Evidence." Cogent Economics and Finance 3 (December 2015). doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2015.1120977.

How to Approach Writing a Case Analysis Paper

The organization and structure of a case analysis paper can vary depending on the organizational setting, the situation, and how your professor wants you to approach the assignment. Nevertheless, preparing to write a case analysis paper involves several important steps. As Hawes notes, a case analysis assignment “...is useful in developing the ability to get to the heart of a problem, analyze it thoroughly, and to indicate the appropriate solution as well as how it should be implemented” [p.48]. This statement encapsulates how you should approach preparing to write a case analysis paper.

Before you begin to write your paper, consider the following analytical procedures:

• Review the case to get an overview of the situation . A case can be only a few pages in length, however, it is most often very lengthy and contains a significant amount of detailed background information and statistics, with multilayered descriptions of the scenario, the roles and behaviors of various stakeholder groups, and situational events. Therefore, a quick reading of the case will help you gain an overall sense of the situation and illuminate the types of issues and problems that you will need to address in your paper. If your professor has provided questions intended to help frame your analysis, use them to guide your initial reading of the case.
• Read the case thoroughly . After gaining a general overview of the case, carefully read the content again with the purpose of understanding key circumstances, events, and behaviors among stakeholder groups. Look for information or data that appears contradictory, extraneous, or misleading. At this point, you should be taking notes as you read because this will help you develop a general outline of your paper. The aim is to obtain a complete understanding of the situation so that you can begin contemplating tentative answers to any questions your professor has provided or, if they have not provided, developing answers to your own questions about the case scenario and its connection to the course readings,lectures, and class discussions.
• Determine key stakeholder groups, issues, and events and the relationships they all have to each other . As you analyze the content, pay particular attention to identifying individuals, groups, or organizations described in the case and identify evidence of any problems or issues of concern that impact the situation in a negative way. Other things to look for include identifying any assumptions being made by or about each stakeholder, potential biased explanations or actions, explicit demands or ultimatums , and the underlying concerns that motivate these behaviors among stakeholders. The goal at this stage is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the situational and behavioral dynamics of the case and the explicit and implicit consequences of each of these actions.
• Identify the core problems . The next step in most case analysis assignments is to discern what the core [i.e., most damaging, detrimental, injurious] problems are within the organizational setting and to determine their implications. The purpose at this stage of preparing to write your analysis paper is to distinguish between the symptoms of core problems and the core problems themselves and to decide which of these must be addressed immediately and which problems do not appear critical but may escalate over time. Identify evidence from the case to support your decisions by determining what information or data is essential to addressing the core problems and what information is not relevant or is misleading.
• Explore alternative solutions . As noted, case analysis scenarios rarely have only one correct answer. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that the process of analyzing the case and diagnosing core problems, while based on evidence, is a subjective process open to various avenues of interpretation. This means that you must consider alternative solutions or courses of action by critically examining strengths and weaknesses, risk factors, and the differences between short and long-term solutions. For each possible solution or course of action, consider the consequences they may have related to their implementation and how these recommendations might lead to new problems. Also, consider thinking about your recommended solutions or courses of action in relation to issues of fairness, equity, and inclusion.
• Decide on a final set of recommendations . The last stage in preparing to write a case analysis paper is to assert an opinion or viewpoint about the recommendations needed to help resolve the core problems as you see them and to make a persuasive argument for supporting this point of view. Prepare a clear rationale for your recommendations based on examining each element of your analysis. Anticipate possible obstacles that could derail their implementation. Consider any counter-arguments that could be made concerning the validity of your recommended actions. Finally, describe a set of criteria and measurable indicators that could be applied to evaluating the effectiveness of your implementation plan.

Use these steps as the framework for writing your paper. Remember that the more detailed you are in taking notes as you critically examine each element of the case, the more information you will have to draw from when you begin to write. This will save you time.

NOTE : If the process of preparing to write a case analysis paper is assigned as a student group project, consider having each member of the group analyze a specific element of the case, including drafting answers to the corresponding questions used by your professor to frame the analysis. This will help make the analytical process more efficient and ensure that the distribution of work is equitable. This can also facilitate who is responsible for drafting each part of the final case analysis paper and, if applicable, the in-class presentation.

Framework for Case Analysis . College of Management. University of Massachusetts; Hawes, Jon M. "Teaching is Not Telling: The Case Method as a Form of Interactive Learning." Journal for Advancement of Marketing Education 5 (Winter 2004): 47-54; Rasche, Christoph and Achim Seisreiner. Guidelines for Business Case Analysis . University of Potsdam; Writing a Case Study Analysis . University of Arizona Global Campus Writing Center; Van Ness, Raymond K. A Guide to Case Analysis . School of Business. State University of New York, Albany; Writing a Case Analysis . Business School, University of New South Wales.

Structure and Writing Style

A case analysis paper should be detailed, concise, persuasive, clearly written, and professional in tone and in the use of language . As with other forms of college-level academic writing, declarative statements that convey information, provide a fact, or offer an explanation or any recommended courses of action should be based on evidence. If allowed by your professor, any external sources used to support your analysis, such as course readings, should be properly cited under a list of references. The organization and structure of case analysis papers can vary depending on your professor’s preferred format, but its structure generally follows the steps used for analyzing the case.

Introduction

The introduction should provide a succinct but thorough descriptive overview of the main facts, issues, and core problems of the case . The introduction should also include a brief summary of the most relevant details about the situation and organizational setting. This includes defining the theoretical framework or conceptual model on which any questions were used to frame your analysis.

Following the rules of most college-level research papers, the introduction should then inform the reader how the paper will be organized. This includes describing the major sections of the paper and the order in which they will be presented. Unless you are told to do so by your professor, you do not need to preview your final recommendations in the introduction. U nlike most college-level research papers , the introduction does not include a statement about the significance of your findings because a case analysis assignment does not involve contributing new knowledge about a research problem.

Background Analysis

Background analysis can vary depending on any guiding questions provided by your professor and the underlying concept or theory that the case is based upon. In general, however, this section of your paper should focus on:

• Providing an overarching analysis of problems identified from the case scenario, including identifying events that stakeholders find challenging or troublesome,
• Identifying assumptions made by each stakeholder and any apparent biases they may exhibit,
• Describing any demands or claims made by or forced upon key stakeholders, and
• Highlighting any issues of concern or complaints expressed by stakeholders in response to those demands or claims.

These aspects of the case are often in the form of behavioral responses expressed by individuals or groups within the organizational setting. However, note that problems in a case situation can also be reflected in data [or the lack thereof] and in the decision-making, operational, cultural, or institutional structure of the organization. Additionally, demands or claims can be either internal and external to the organization [e.g., a case analysis involving a president considering arms sales to Saudi Arabia could include managing internal demands from White House advisors as well as demands from members of Congress].

Throughout this section, present all relevant evidence from the case that supports your analysis. Do not simply claim there is a problem, an assumption, a demand, or a concern; tell the reader what part of the case informed how you identified these background elements.

Identification of Problems

In most case analysis assignments, there are problems, and then there are problems . Each problem can reflect a multitude of underlying symptoms that are detrimental to the interests of the organization. The purpose of identifying problems is to teach students how to differentiate between problems that vary in severity, impact, and relative importance. Given this, problems can be described in three general forms: those that must be addressed immediately, those that should be addressed but the impact is not severe, and those that do not require immediate attention and can be set aside for the time being.

All of the problems you identify from the case should be identified in this section of your paper, with a description based on evidence explaining the problem variances. If the assignment asks you to conduct research to further support your assessment of the problems, include this in your explanation. Remember to cite those sources in a list of references. Use specific evidence from the case and apply appropriate concepts, theories, and models discussed in class or in relevant course readings to highlight and explain the key problems [or problem] that you believe must be solved immediately and describe the underlying symptoms and why they are so critical.

Alternative Solutions

This section is where you provide specific, realistic, and evidence-based solutions to the problems you have identified and make recommendations about how to alleviate the underlying symptomatic conditions impacting the organizational setting. For each solution, you must explain why it was chosen and provide clear evidence to support your reasoning. This can include, for example, course readings and class discussions as well as research resources, such as, books, journal articles, research reports, or government documents. In some cases, your professor may encourage you to include personal, anecdotal experiences as evidence to support why you chose a particular solution or set of solutions. Using anecdotal evidence helps promote reflective thinking about the process of determining what qualifies as a core problem and relevant solution .

Throughout this part of the paper, keep in mind the entire array of problems that must be addressed and describe in detail the solutions that might be implemented to resolve these problems.

Recommended Courses of Action

In some case analysis assignments, your professor may ask you to combine the alternative solutions section with your recommended courses of action. However, it is important to know the difference between the two. A solution refers to the answer to a problem. A course of action refers to a procedure or deliberate sequence of activities adopted to proactively confront a situation, often in the context of accomplishing a goal. In this context, proposed courses of action are based on your analysis of alternative solutions. Your description and justification for pursuing each course of action should represent the overall plan for implementing your recommendations.

For each course of action, you need to explain the rationale for your recommendation in a way that confronts challenges, explains risks, and anticipates any counter-arguments from stakeholders. Do this by considering the strengths and weaknesses of each course of action framed in relation to how the action is expected to resolve the core problems presented, the possible ways the action may affect remaining problems, and how the recommended action will be perceived by each stakeholder.

In addition, you should describe the criteria needed to measure how well the implementation of these actions is working and explain which individuals or groups are responsible for ensuring your recommendations are successful. In addition, always consider the law of unintended consequences. Outline difficulties that may arise in implementing each course of action and describe how implementing the proposed courses of action [either individually or collectively] may lead to new problems [both large and small].

Throughout this section, you must consider the costs and benefits of recommending your courses of action in relation to uncertainties or missing information and the negative consequences of success.

The conclusion should be brief and introspective. Unlike a research paper, the conclusion in a case analysis paper does not include a summary of key findings and their significance, a statement about how the study contributed to existing knowledge, or indicate opportunities for future research.

Begin by synthesizing the core problems presented in the case and the relevance of your recommended solutions. This can include an explanation of what you have learned about the case in the context of your answers to the questions provided by your professor. The conclusion is also where you link what you learned from analyzing the case with the course readings or class discussions. This can further demonstrate your understanding of the relationships between the practical case situation and the theoretical and abstract content of assigned readings and other course content.

Problems to Avoid

The literature on case analysis assignments often includes examples of difficulties students have with applying methods of critical analysis and effectively reporting the results of their assessment of the situation. A common reason cited by scholars is that the application of this type of teaching and learning method is limited to applied fields of social and behavioral sciences and, as a result, writing a case analysis paper can be unfamiliar to most students entering college.

After you have drafted your paper, proofread the narrative flow and revise any of these common errors:

• Unnecessary detail in the background section . The background section should highlight the essential elements of the case based on your analysis. Focus on summarizing the facts and highlighting the key factors that become relevant in the other sections of the paper by eliminating any unnecessary information.
• Analysis relies too much on opinion . Your analysis is interpretive, but the narrative must be connected clearly to evidence from the case and any models and theories discussed in class or in course readings. Any positions or arguments you make should be supported by evidence.
• Analysis does not focus on the most important elements of the case . Your paper should provide a thorough overview of the case. However, the analysis should focus on providing evidence about what you identify are the key events, stakeholders, issues, and problems. Emphasize what you identify as the most critical aspects of the case to be developed throughout your analysis. Be thorough but succinct.
• Writing is too descriptive . A paper with too much descriptive information detracts from your analysis of the complexities of the case situation. Questions about what happened, where, when, and by whom should only be included as essential information leading to your examination of questions related to why, how, and for what purpose.
• Inadequate definition of a core problem and associated symptoms . A common error found in case analysis papers is recommending a solution or course of action without adequately defining or demonstrating that you understand the problem. Make sure you have clearly described the problem and its impact and scope within the organizational setting. Ensure that you have adequately described the root causes w hen describing the symptoms of the problem.
• Recommendations lack specificity . Identify any use of vague statements and indeterminate terminology, such as, “A particular experience” or “a large increase to the budget.” These statements cannot be measured and, as a result, there is no way to evaluate their successful implementation. Provide specific data and use direct language in describing recommended actions.
• Unrealistic, exaggerated, or unattainable recommendations . Review your recommendations to ensure that they are based on the situational facts of the case. Your recommended solutions and courses of action must be based on realistic assumptions and fit within the constraints of the situation. Also note that the case scenario has already happened, therefore, any speculation or arguments about what could have occurred if the circumstances were different should be revised or eliminated.

Bee, Lian Song et al. "Business Students' Perspectives on Case Method Coaching for Problem-Based Learning: Impacts on Student Engagement and Learning Performance in Higher Education." Education & Training 64 (2022): 416-432; The Case Analysis . Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors. Grand Valley State University; Georgallis, Panikos and Kayleigh Bruijn. "Sustainability Teaching using Case-Based Debates." Journal of International Education in Business 15 (2022): 147-163; Hawes, Jon M. "Teaching is Not Telling: The Case Method as a Form of Interactive Learning." Journal for Advancement of Marketing Education 5 (Winter 2004): 47-54; Georgallis, Panikos, and Kayleigh Bruijn. "Sustainability Teaching Using Case-based Debates." Journal of International Education in Business 15 (2022): 147-163; .Dean,  Kathy Lund and Charles J. Fornaciari. "How to Create and Use Experiential Case-Based Exercises in a Management Classroom." Journal of Management Education 26 (October 2002): 586-603; Klebba, Joanne M. and Janet G. Hamilton. "Structured Case Analysis: Developing Critical Thinking Skills in a Marketing Case Course." Journal of Marketing Education 29 (August 2007): 132-137, 139; Klein, Norman. "The Case Discussion Method Revisited: Some Questions about Student Skills." Exchange: The Organizational Behavior Teaching Journal 6 (November 1981): 30-32; Mukherjee, Arup. "Effective Use of In-Class Mini Case Analysis for Discovery Learning in an Undergraduate MIS Course." The Journal of Computer Information Systems 40 (Spring 2000): 15-23; Pessoa, Silviaet al. "Scaffolding the Case Analysis in an Organizational Behavior Course: Making Analytical Language Explicit." Journal of Management Education 46 (2022): 226-251: Ramsey, V. J. and L. D. Dodge. "Case Analysis: A Structured Approach." Exchange: The Organizational Behavior Teaching Journal 6 (November 1981): 27-29; Schweitzer, Karen. "How to Write and Format a Business Case Study." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-and-format-a-business-case-study-466324 (accessed December 5, 2022); Reddy, C. D. "Teaching Research Methodology: Everything's a Case." Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods 18 (December 2020): 178-188; Volpe, Guglielmo. "Case Teaching in Economics: History, Practice and Evidence." Cogent Economics and Finance 3 (December 2015). doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2015.1120977.

Writing Tip

Ca se Study and Case Analysis Are Not the Same!

Confusion often exists between what it means to write a paper that uses a case study research design and writing a paper that analyzes a case; they are two different types of approaches to learning in the social and behavioral sciences. Professors as well as educational researchers contribute to this confusion because they often use the term "case study" when describing the subject of analysis for a case analysis paper. But you are not studying a case for the purpose of generating a comprehensive, multi-faceted understanding of a research problem. R ather, you are critically analyzing a specific scenario to argue logically for recommended solutions and courses of action that lead to optimal outcomes applicable to professional practice.

To avoid any confusion, here are twelve characteristics that delineate the differences between writing a paper using the case study research method and writing a case analysis paper:

• Case study is a method of in-depth research and rigorous inquiry ; case analysis is a reliable method of teaching and learning . A case study is a modality of research that investigates a phenomenon for the purpose of creating new knowledge, solving a problem, or testing a hypothesis using empirical evidence derived from the case being studied. Often, the results are used to generalize about a larger population or within a wider context. The writing adheres to the traditional standards of a scholarly research study. A case analysis is a pedagogical tool used to teach students how to reflect and think critically about a practical, real-life problem in an organizational setting.
• The researcher is responsible for identifying the case to study; a case analysis is assigned by your professor . As the researcher, you choose the case study to investigate in support of obtaining new knowledge and understanding about the research problem. The case in a case analysis assignment is almost always provided, and sometimes written, by your professor and either given to every student in class to analyze individually or to a small group of students, or students select a case to analyze from a predetermined list.
• A case study is indeterminate and boundless; a case analysis is predetermined and confined . A case study can be almost anything [see item 9 below] as long as it relates directly to examining the research problem. This relationship is the only limit to what a researcher can choose as the subject of their case study. The content of a case analysis is determined by your professor and its parameters are well-defined and limited to elucidating insights of practical value applied to practice.
• Case study is fact-based and describes actual events or situations; case analysis can be entirely fictional or adapted from an actual situation . The entire content of a case study must be grounded in reality to be a valid subject of investigation in an empirical research study. A case analysis only needs to set the stage for critically examining a situation in practice and, therefore, can be entirely fictional or adapted, all or in-part, from an actual situation.
• Research using a case study method must adhere to principles of intellectual honesty and academic integrity; a case analysis scenario can include misleading or false information . A case study paper must report research objectively and factually to ensure that any findings are understood to be logically correct and trustworthy. A case analysis scenario may include misleading or false information intended to deliberately distract from the central issues of the case. The purpose is to teach students how to sort through conflicting or useless information in order to come up with the preferred solution. Any use of misleading or false information in academic research is considered unethical.
• Case study is linked to a research problem; case analysis is linked to a practical situation or scenario . In the social sciences, the subject of an investigation is most often framed as a problem that must be researched in order to generate new knowledge leading to a solution. Case analysis narratives are grounded in real life scenarios for the purpose of examining the realities of decision-making behavior and processes within organizational settings. A case analysis assignments include a problem or set of problems to be analyzed. However, the goal is centered around the act of identifying and evaluating courses of action leading to best possible outcomes.
• The purpose of a case study is to create new knowledge through research; the purpose of a case analysis is to teach new understanding . Case studies are a choice of methodological design intended to create new knowledge about resolving a research problem. A case analysis is a mode of teaching and learning intended to create new understanding and an awareness of uncertainty applied to practice through acts of critical thinking and reflection.
• A case study seeks to identify the best possible solution to a research problem; case analysis can have an indeterminate set of solutions or outcomes . Your role in studying a case is to discover the most logical, evidence-based ways to address a research problem. A case analysis assignment rarely has a single correct answer because one of the goals is to force students to confront the real life dynamics of uncertainly, ambiguity, and missing or conflicting information within professional practice. Under these conditions, a perfect outcome or solution almost never exists.
• Case study is unbounded and relies on gathering external information; case analysis is a self-contained subject of analysis . The scope of a case study chosen as a method of research is bounded. However, the researcher is free to gather whatever information and data is necessary to investigate its relevance to understanding the research problem. For a case analysis assignment, your professor will often ask you to examine solutions or recommended courses of action based solely on facts and information from the case.
• Case study can be a person, place, object, issue, event, condition, or phenomenon; a case analysis is a carefully constructed synopsis of events, situations, and behaviors . The research problem dictates the type of case being studied and, therefore, the design can encompass almost anything tangible as long as it fulfills the objective of generating new knowledge and understanding. A case analysis is in the form of a narrative containing descriptions of facts, situations, processes, rules, and behaviors within a particular setting and under a specific set of circumstances.
• Case study can represent an open-ended subject of inquiry; a case analysis is a narrative about something that has happened in the past . A case study is not restricted by time and can encompass an event or issue with no temporal limit or end. For example, the current war in Ukraine can be used as a case study of how medical personnel help civilians during a large military conflict, even though circumstances around this event are still evolving. A case analysis can be used to elicit critical thinking about current or future situations in practice, but the case itself is a narrative about something finite and that has taken place in the past.
• Multiple case studies can be used in a research study; case analysis involves examining a single scenario . Case study research can use two or more cases to examine a problem, often for the purpose of conducting a comparative investigation intended to discover hidden relationships, document emerging trends, or determine variations among different examples. A case analysis assignment typically describes a stand-alone, self-contained situation and any comparisons among cases are conducted during in-class discussions and/or student presentations.

The Case Analysis . Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors. Grand Valley State University; Mills, Albert J. , Gabrielle Durepos, and Eiden Wiebe, editors. Encyclopedia of Case Study Research . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2010; Ramsey, V. J. and L. D. Dodge. "Case Analysis: A Structured Approach." Exchange: The Organizational Behavior Teaching Journal 6 (November 1981): 27-29; Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods . 6th edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2017; Crowe, Sarah et al. “The Case Study Approach.” BMC Medical Research Methodology 11 (2011):  doi: 10.1186/1471-2288-11-100; Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research: Design and Methods . 4th edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing; 1994.

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Business growth

Marketing tips

16 case study examples (+ 3 templates to make your own)

I like to think of case studies as a business's version of a resume. It highlights what the business can do, lends credibility to its offer, and contains only the positive bullet points that paint it in the best light possible.

Imagine if the guy running your favorite taco truck followed you home so that he could "really dig into how that burrito changed your life." I see the value in the practice. People naturally prefer a tried-and-true burrito just as they prefer tried-and-true products or services.

To help you showcase your success and flesh out your burrito questionnaire, I've put together some case study examples and key takeaways.

What is a case study?

A case study is an in-depth analysis of how your business, product, or service has helped past clients. It can be a document, a webpage, or a slide deck that showcases measurable, real-life results.

For example, if you're a SaaS company, you can analyze your customers' results after a few months of using your product to measure its effectiveness. You can then turn this analysis into a case study that further proves to potential customers what your product can do and how it can help them overcome their challenges.

It changes the narrative from "I promise that we can do X and Y for you" to "Here's what we've done for businesses like yours, and we can do it for you, too."

16 case study examples 

While most case studies follow the same structure, quite a few try to break the mold and create something unique. Some businesses lean heavily on design and presentation, while others pursue a detailed, stat-oriented approach. Some businesses try to mix both.

There's no set formula to follow, but I've found that the best case studies utilize impactful design to engage readers and leverage statistics and case details to drive the point home. A case study typically highlights the companies, the challenges, the solution, and the results. The examples below will help inspire you to do it, too.

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People love a good farm-to-table coffee story, and boy am I one of them. But I've shared this case study with you for more reasons than my love of coffee. I enjoyed this study because it was written as though it was a letter.

In this case study, the founder of Volcanica Coffee talks about the journey from founding the company to personally struggling with learning and applying digital marketing to finding and enlisting AdRoll's services.

It felt more authentic, less about AdRoll showcasing their worth and more like a testimonial from a grateful and appreciative client. After the story, the case study wraps up with successes, milestones, and achievements. Note that quite a few percentages are prominently displayed at the top, providing supporting evidence that backs up an inspiring story.

Takeaway: Highlight your goals and measurable results to draw the reader in and provide concise, easily digestible information.

2. Taylor Guitars and Airtable

This Airtable case study on Taylor Guitars comes as close as one can to an optimal structure. It features a video that represents the artistic nature of the client, highlighting key achievements and dissecting each element of Airtable's influence.

It also supplements each section with a testimonial or quote from the client, using their insights as a catalyst for the case study's narrative. For example, the case study quotes the social media manager and project manager's insights regarding team-wide communication and access before explaining in greater detail.

Takeaway: Highlight pain points your business solves for its client, and explore that influence in greater detail.

3. EndeavourX and Figma

My favorite part of Figma's case study is highlighting why EndeavourX chose its solution. You'll notice an entire section on what Figma does for teams and then specifically for EndeavourX.

It also places a heavy emphasis on numbers and stats. The study, as brief as it is, still manages to pack in a lot of compelling statistics about what's possible with Figma.

Takeaway: Showcase the "how" and "why" of your product's differentiators and how they benefit your customers.

4. ActiveCampaign and Zapier

Zapier's case study leans heavily on design, using graphics to present statistics and goals in a manner that not only remains consistent with the branding but also actively pushes it forward, drawing users' eyes to the information most important to them. 

The graphics, emphasis on branding elements, and cause/effect style tell the story without requiring long, drawn-out copy that risks boring readers. Instead, the cause and effect are concisely portrayed alongside the client company's information for a brief and easily scannable case study.

Takeaway: Lean on design to call attention to the most important elements of your case study, and make sure it stays consistent with your branding.

5. Ironclad and OpenAI

In true OpenAI fashion, this case study is a block of text. There's a distinct lack of imagery, but the study features a narrated video walking readers through the product.

The lack of imagery and color may not be the most inviting, but utilizing video format is commendable. It helps thoroughly communicate how OpenAI supported Ironclad in a way that allows the user to sit back, relax, listen, and be impressed. 

Takeaway: Get creative with the media you implement in your case study. Videos can be a very powerful addition when a case study requires more detailed storytelling.

6. Shopify and GitHub

GitHub's case study on Shopify is a light read. It addresses client pain points and discusses the different aspects its product considers and improves for clients. It touches on workflow issues, internal systems, automation, and security. It does a great job of representing what one company can do with GitHub.

To drive the point home, the case study features colorful quote callouts from the Shopify team, sharing their insights and perspectives on the partnership, the key issues, and how they were addressed.

Takeaway: Leverage quotes to boost the authoritativeness and trustworthiness of your case study. 

7 . Audible and Contentful

Contentful's case study on Audible features almost every element a case study should. It includes not one but two videos and clearly outlines the challenge, solution, and outcome before diving deeper into what Contentful did for Audible. The language is simple, and the writing is heavy with quotes and personal insights.

This case study is a uniquely original experience. The fact that the companies in question are perhaps two of the most creative brands out there may be the reason. I expected nothing short of a detailed analysis, a compelling story, and video content. 

Takeaway: Inject some brand voice into the case study, and create assets that tell the story for you.

8 . Zoom and Asana

Asana's case study on Zoom is longer than the average piece and features detailed data on Zoom's growth since 2020. Instead of relying on imagery and graphics, it features several quotes and testimonials. 

It's designed to be direct, informative, and promotional. At some point, the case study reads more like a feature list. There were a few sections that felt a tad too promotional for my liking, but to each their own burrito.

Takeaway: Maintain a balance between promotional and informative. You want to showcase the high-level goals your product helped achieve without losing the reader.

9 . Hickies and Mailchimp

I've always been a fan of Mailchimp's comic-like branding, and this case study does an excellent job of sticking to their tradition of making information easy to understand, casual, and inviting.

It features a short video that briefly covers Hickies as a company and Mailchimp's efforts to serve its needs for customer relationships and education processes. Overall, this case study is a concise overview of the partnership that manages to convey success data and tell a story at the same time. What sets it apart is that it does so in a uniquely colorful and brand-consistent manner.

Takeaway: Be concise to provide as much value in as little text as possible.

10. NVIDIA and Workday

The gaming industry is notoriously difficult to recruit for, as it requires a very specific set of skills and experience. This case study focuses on how Workday was able to help fill that recruitment gap for NVIDIA, one of the biggest names in the gaming world.

Though it doesn't feature videos or graphics, this case study stood out to me in how it structures information like "key products used" to give readers insight into which tools helped achieve these results.

Takeaway: If your company offers multiple products or services, outline exactly which ones were involved in your case study, so readers can assess each tool.

11. KFC and Contentful

I'm personally not a big KFC fan, but that's only because I refuse to eat out of a bucket. My aversion to the bucket format aside, Contentful follows its consistent case study format in this one, outlining challenges, solutions, and outcomes before diving into the nitty-gritty details of the project.

Say what you will about KFC, but their primary product (chicken) does present a unique opportunity for wordplay like "Continuing to march to the beat of a digital-first drum(stick)" or "Delivering deep-fried goodness to every channel."

Takeaway: Inject humor into your case study if there's room for it and if it fits your brand. 

12. Intuit and Twilio

Twilio does an excellent job of delivering achievements at the very beginning of the case study and going into detail in this two-minute read. While there aren't many graphics, the way quotes from the Intuit team are implemented adds a certain flair to the study and breaks up the sections nicely.

It's simple, concise, and manages to fit a lot of information in easily digestible sections.

Takeaway: Make sure each section is long enough to inform but brief enough to avoid boring readers. Break down information for each section, and don't go into so much detail that you lose the reader halfway through.

13. Spotify and Salesforce

Salesforce created a video that accurately summarizes the key points of the case study. Beyond that, the page itself is very light on content, and sections are as short as one paragraph.

I especially like how information is broken down into "What you need to know," "Why it matters," and "What the difference looks like." I'm not ashamed of being spoon-fed information. When it's structured so well and so simply, it makes for an entertaining read.

Takeaway: Invest in videos that capture and promote your partnership with your case study subject. Video content plays a promotional role that extends beyond the case study in social media and marketing initiatives .

14. Benchling and Airtable

Benchling is an impressive entity in its own right. Biotech R&D and health care nuances go right over my head. But the research and digging I've been doing in the name of these burritos (case studies) revealed that these products are immensely complex. 

And that's precisely why this case study deserves a read—it succeeds at explaining a complex project that readers outside the industry wouldn't know much about.

Takeaway: Simplify complex information, and walk readers through the company's operations and how your business helped streamline them.

15. Chipotle and Hubble

The concision of this case study is refreshing. It features two sections—the challenge and the solution—all in 316 words. This goes to show that your case study doesn't necessarily need to be a four-figure investment with video shoots and studio time. 

Sometimes, the message is simple and short enough to convey in a handful of paragraphs.

Takeaway: Consider what you should include instead of what you can include. Assess the time, resources, and effort you're able and willing to invest in a case study, and choose which elements you want to include from there.

16. Hudl and Zapier

I may be biased, but I'm a big fan of seeing metrics and achievements represented in branded graphics. It can be a jarring experience to navigate a website, then visit a case study page and feel as though you've gone to a completely different website.

The Zapier format provides nuggets of high-level insights, milestones, and achievements, as well as the challenge, solution, and results. My favorite part of this case study is how it's supplemented with a blog post detailing how Hudl uses Zapier automation to build a seamless user experience.

The case study is essentially the summary, and the blog article is the detailed analysis that provides context beyond X achievement or Y goal.

Takeaway: Keep your case study concise and informative. Create other resources to provide context under your blog, media or press, and product pages.

3 case study templates

Now that you've had your fill of case studies (if that's possible), I've got just what you need: an infinite number of case studies, which you can create yourself with these case study templates.

Case study template 1

If you've got a quick hit of stats you want to show off, try this template. The opening section gives space for a short summary and three visually appealing stats you can highlight, followed by a headline and body where you can break the case study down more thoroughly. This one's pretty simple, with only sections for solutions and results, but you can easily continue the formatting to add more sections as needed.

Case study template 2

For a case study template with a little more detail, use this one. Opening with a striking cover page for a quick overview, this one goes on to include context, stakeholders, challenges, multiple quote callouts, and quick-hit stats. 

Case study template 3

Whether you want a little structural variation or just like a nice dark green, this template has similar components to the last template but is designed to help tell a story. Move from the client overview through a description of your company before getting to the details of how you fixed said company's problems.

Tips for writing a case study

Examples are all well and good, but you don't learn how to make a burrito just by watching tutorials on YouTube without knowing what any of the ingredients are. You could , but it probably wouldn't be all that good.

Writing a good case study comes down to a mix of creativity, branding, and the capacity to invest in the project. With those details in mind, here are some case study tips to follow:

Have an objective: Define your objective by identifying the challenge, solution, and results. Assess your work with the client and focus on the most prominent wins. You're speaking to multiple businesses and industries through the case study, so make sure you know what you want to say to them.

Focus on persuasive data: Growth percentages and measurable results are your best friends. Extract your most compelling data and highlight it in your case study.

Use eye-grabbing graphics: Branded design goes a long way in accurately representing your brand and retaining readers as they review the study. Leverage unique and eye-catching graphics to keep readers engaged. 

Simplify data presentation: Some industries are more complex than others, and sometimes, data can be difficult to understand at a glance. Make sure you present your data in the simplest way possible. Make it concise, informative, and easy to understand.

Use automation to drive results for your case study

A case study example is a source of inspiration you can leverage to determine how to best position your brand's work. Find your unique angle, and refine it over time to help your business stand out. Ask anyone: the best burrito in town doesn't just appear at the number one spot. They find their angle (usually the house sauce) and leverage it to stand out.

In fact, with the right technology, it can be refined to work better . Explore how Zapier's automation features can help drive results for your case study by making your case study a part of a developed workflow that creates a user journey through your website, your case studies, and into the pipeline.

Case study FAQ

Got your case study template? Great—it's time to gather the team for an awkward semi-vague data collection task. While you do that, here are some case study quick answers for you to skim through while you contemplate what to call your team meeting.

What is an example of a case study?

An example of a case study is when a software company analyzes its results from a client project and creates a webpage, presentation, or document that focuses on high-level results, challenges, and solutions in an attempt to showcase effectiveness and promote the software.

How do you write a case study?

To write a good case study, you should have an objective, identify persuasive and compelling data, leverage graphics, and simplify data. Case studies typically include an analysis of the challenge, solution, and results of the partnership.

What is the format of a case study?

While case studies don't have a set format, they're often portrayed as reports or essays that inform readers about the partnership and its results. 

Related reading:

How Hudl uses automation to create a seamless user experience

How to make your case studies high-stakes—and why it matters

How experts write case studies that convert, not bore

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Hachem Ramki

Hachem is a writer and digital marketer from Montreal. After graduating with a degree in English, Hachem spent seven years traveling around the world before moving to Canada. When he's not writing, he enjoys Basketball, Dungeons and Dragons, and playing music for friends and family.

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Do Your Students Know How to Analyze a Case—Really?

Explore more.

• Case Teaching
• Student Engagement

J ust as actors, athletes, and musicians spend thousands of hours practicing their craft, business students benefit from practicing their critical-thinking and decision-making skills. Students, however, often have limited exposure to real-world problem-solving scenarios; they need more opportunities to practice tackling tough business problems and deciding on—and executing—the best solutions.

To ensure students have ample opportunity to develop these critical-thinking and decision-making skills, we believe business faculty should shift from teaching mostly principles and ideas to mostly applications and practices. And in doing so, they should emphasize the case method, which simulates real-world management challenges and opportunities for students.

To help educators facilitate this shift and help students get the most out of case-based learning, we have developed a framework for analyzing cases. We call it PACADI (Problem, Alternatives, Criteria, Analysis, Decision, Implementation); it can improve learning outcomes by helping students better solve and analyze business problems, make decisions, and develop and implement strategy. Here, we’ll explain why we developed this framework, how it works, and what makes it an effective learning tool.

The Case for Cases: Helping Students Think Critically

Business students must develop critical-thinking and analytical skills, which are essential to their ability to make good decisions in functional areas such as marketing, finance, operations, and information technology, as well as to understand the relationships among these functions. For example, the decisions a marketing manager must make include strategic planning (segments, products, and channels); execution (digital messaging, media, branding, budgets, and pricing); and operations (integrated communications and technologies), as well as how to implement decisions across functional areas.

Faculty can use many types of cases to help students develop these skills. These include the prototypical “paper cases”; live cases , which feature guest lecturers such as entrepreneurs or corporate leaders and on-site visits; and multimedia cases , which immerse students into real situations. Most cases feature an explicit or implicit decision that a protagonist—whether it is an individual, a group, or an organization—must make.

For students new to learning by the case method—and even for those with case experience—some common issues can emerge; these issues can sometimes be a barrier for educators looking to ensure the best possible outcomes in their case classrooms. Unsure of how to dig into case analysis on their own, students may turn to the internet or rely on former students for “answers” to assigned cases. Or, when assigned to provide answers to assignment questions in teams, students might take a divide-and-conquer approach but not take the time to regroup and provide answers that are consistent with one other.

To help address these issues, which we commonly experienced in our classes, we wanted to provide our students with a more structured approach for how they analyze cases—and to really think about making decisions from the protagonists’ point of view. We developed the PACADI framework to address this need.

PACADI: A Six-Step Decision-Making Approach

The PACADI framework is a six-step decision-making approach that can be used in lieu of traditional end-of-case questions. It offers a structured, integrated, and iterative process that requires students to analyze case information, apply business concepts to derive valuable insights, and develop recommendations based on these insights.

Prior to beginning a PACADI assessment, which we’ll outline here, students should first prepare a two-paragraph summary—a situation analysis—that highlights the key case facts. Then, we task students with providing a five-page PACADI case analysis (excluding appendices) based on the following six steps.

Step 1: Problem definition. What is the major challenge, problem, opportunity, or decision that has to be made? If there is more than one problem, choose the most important one. Often when solving the key problem, other issues will surface and be addressed. The problem statement may be framed as a question; for example, How can brand X improve market share among millennials in Canada? Usually the problem statement has to be re-written several times during the analysis of a case as students peel back the layers of symptoms or causation.

Step 2: Alternatives. Identify in detail the strategic alternatives to address the problem; three to five options generally work best. Alternatives should be mutually exclusive, realistic, creative, and feasible given the constraints of the situation. Doing nothing or delaying the decision to a later date are not considered acceptable alternatives.

Step 3: Criteria. What are the key decision criteria that will guide decision-making? In a marketing course, for example, these may include relevant marketing criteria such as segmentation, positioning, advertising and sales, distribution, and pricing. Financial criteria useful in evaluating the alternatives should be included—for example, income statement variables, customer lifetime value, payback, etc. Students must discuss their rationale for selecting the decision criteria and the weights and importance for each factor.

Step 4: Analysis. Provide an in-depth analysis of each alternative based on the criteria chosen in step three. Decision tables using criteria as columns and alternatives as rows can be helpful. The pros and cons of the various choices as well as the short- and long-term implications of each may be evaluated. Best, worst, and most likely scenarios can also be insightful.

Step 5: Decision. Students propose their solution to the problem. This decision is justified based on an in-depth analysis. Explain why the recommendation made is the best fit for the criteria.

Step 6: Implementation plan. Sound business decisions may fail due to poor execution. To enhance the likeliness of a successful project outcome, students describe the key steps (activities) to implement the recommendation, timetable, projected costs, expected competitive reaction, success metrics, and risks in the plan.

“Students note that using the PACADI framework yields ‘aha moments’—they learned something surprising in the case that led them to think differently about the problem and their proposed solution.”

PACADI’s Benefits: Meaningfully and Thoughtfully Applying Business Concepts

The PACADI framework covers all of the major elements of business decision-making, including implementation, which is often overlooked. By stepping through the whole framework, students apply relevant business concepts and solve management problems via a systematic, comprehensive approach; they’re far less likely to surface piecemeal responses.

As students explore each part of the framework, they may realize that they need to make changes to a previous step. For instance, when working on implementation, students may realize that the alternative they selected cannot be executed or will not be profitable, and thus need to rethink their decision. Or, they may discover that the criteria need to be revised since the list of decision factors they identified is incomplete (for example, the factors may explain key marketing concerns but fail to address relevant financial considerations) or is unrealistic (for example, they suggest a 25 percent increase in revenues without proposing an increased promotional budget).

In addition, the PACADI framework can be used alongside quantitative assignments, in-class exercises, and business and management simulations. The structured, multi-step decision framework encourages careful and sequential analysis to solve business problems. Incorporating PACADI as an overarching decision-making method across different projects will ultimately help students achieve desired learning outcomes. As a practical “beyond-the-classroom” tool, the PACADI framework is not a contrived course assignment; it reflects the decision-making approach that managers, executives, and entrepreneurs exercise daily. Case analysis introduces students to the real-world process of making business decisions quickly and correctly, often with limited information. This framework supplies an organized and disciplined process that students can readily defend in writing and in class discussions.

PACADI in Action: An Example

Here’s an example of how students used the PACADI framework for a recent case analysis on CVS, a large North American drugstore chain.

The CVS Prescription for Customer Value*

PACADI Stage

Summary Response

How should CVS Health evolve from the “drugstore of your neighborhood” to the “drugstore of your future”?

Alternatives

A1. Kaizen (continuous improvement)

A2. Product development

A3. Market development

A4. Personalization (micro-targeting)

Criteria (include weights)

C1. Customer value: service, quality, image, and price (40%)

C2. Customer obsession (20%)

C3. Growth through related businesses (20%)

C4. Customer retention and customer lifetime value (20%)

Each alternative was analyzed by each criterion using a Customer Value Assessment Tool

Alternative 4 (A4): Personalization was selected. This is operationalized via: segmentation—move toward segment-of-1 marketing; geodemographics and lifestyle emphasis; predictive data analysis; relationship marketing; people, principles, and supply chain management; and exceptional customer service.

Implementation

Partner with leading medical school

Curbside pick-up

Pet pharmacy

E-newsletter for customers and employees

Employee incentive program

CVS beauty days

Expand to Latin America and Caribbean

Healthier/happier corner

Holiday toy drives/community outreach

*Source: A. Weinstein, Y. Rodriguez, K. Sims, R. Vergara, “The CVS Prescription for Superior Customer Value—A Case Study,” Back to the Future: Revisiting the Foundations of Marketing from Society for Marketing Advances, West Palm Beach, FL (November 2, 2018).

Results of Using the PACADI Framework

When faculty members at our respective institutions at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and the University of North Carolina Wilmington have used the PACADI framework, our classes have been more structured and engaging. Students vigorously debate each element of their decision and note that this framework yields an “aha moment”—they learned something surprising in the case that led them to think differently about the problem and their proposed solution.

These lively discussions enhance individual and collective learning. As one external metric of this improvement, we have observed a 2.5 percent increase in student case grade performance at NSU since this framework was introduced.

Tips to Get Started

The PACADI approach works well in in-person, online, and hybrid courses. This is particularly important as more universities have moved to remote learning options. Because students have varied educational and cultural backgrounds, work experience, and familiarity with case analysis, we recommend that faculty members have students work on their first case using this new framework in small teams (two or three students). Additional analyses should then be solo efforts.

To use PACADI effectively in your classroom, we suggest the following:

Advise your students that your course will stress critical thinking and decision-making skills, not just course concepts and theory.

Use a varied mix of case studies. As marketing professors, we often address consumer and business markets; goods, services, and digital commerce; domestic and global business; and small and large companies in a single MBA course.

As a starting point, provide a short explanation (about 20 to 30 minutes) of the PACADI framework with a focus on the conceptual elements. You can deliver this face to face or through videoconferencing.

Give students an opportunity to practice the case analysis methodology via an ungraded sample case study. Designate groups of five to seven students to discuss the case and the six steps in breakout sessions (in class or via Zoom).

Ensure case analyses are weighted heavily as a grading component. We suggest 30–50 percent of the overall course grade.

Once cases are graded, debrief with the class on what they did right and areas needing improvement (30- to 40-minute in-person or Zoom session).

Encourage faculty teams that teach common courses to build appropriate instructional materials, grading rubrics, videos, sample cases, and teaching notes.

When selecting case studies, we have found that the best ones for PACADI analyses are about 15 pages long and revolve around a focal management decision. This length provides adequate depth yet is not protracted. Some of our tested and favorite marketing cases include Brand W , Hubspot , Kraft Foods Canada , TRSB(A) , and Whiskey & Cheddar .

Art Weinstein , Ph.D., is a professor of marketing at Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He has published more than 80 scholarly articles and papers and eight books on customer-focused marketing strategy. His latest book is Superior Customer Value—Finding and Keeping Customers in the Now Economy . Dr. Weinstein has consulted for many leading technology and service companies.

Herbert V. Brotspies , D.B.A., is an adjunct professor of marketing at Nova Southeastern University. He has over 30 years’ experience as a vice president in marketing, strategic planning, and acquisitions for Fortune 50 consumer products companies working in the United States and internationally. His research interests include return on marketing investment, consumer behavior, business-to-business strategy, and strategic planning.

John T. Gironda , Ph.D., is an assistant professor of marketing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. His research has been published in Industrial Marketing Management, Psychology & Marketing , and Journal of Marketing Management . He has also presented at major marketing conferences including the American Marketing Association, Academy of Marketing Science, and Society for Marketing Advances.

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• Richard G. Trefry Library
• Course-Specific

Q. Need help with writing a case study analysis?

• Textbooks & Course Materials
• Tutoring & Classroom Help
• Writing & Citing

Answered By: Coleen Neary Last Updated: Jun 02, 2023     Views: 264337

A case study analysis requires you to investigate a business problem, examine the alternative solutions, and propose the most effective solution using supporting evidenc e.

Before you begin writing, follow these guidelines to help you prepare and understand the case study:

• Take notes, highlight relevant facts, and underline key problems.
• Identify two to five key problems
• Why do they exist?
• How do they impact the organization?
• Who is responsible for them?
• Review course readings, discussions, outside research, and your experience.
• Consider strong supporting evidence, pros, and cons: is this solution realistic?

Once you have gathered the necessary information, a draft of your analysis should include these sections:

• Identify the key problems and issues in the case study.
• Formulate and include a thesis statement, summarizing the outcome of your analysis in 1–2 sentences.
• Set the scene: background information, relevant facts, and the most important issues.
• Demonstrate that you have researched the problems in this case study.
• Outline possible alternatives (not necessarily all of them)
• Explain why alternatives were rejected
• Constraints/reasons
• Why are alternatives not possible at this time?
• Provide one specific and realistic solution
• Explain why this solution was chosen
• Support this solution with solid evidence
• Concepts from class (text readings, discussions, lectures)
• Outside research
• Personal experience (anecdotes)
• Determine and discuss specific strategies for accomplishing the proposed solution.
• If applicable, recommend further action to resolve some of the issues
• What should be done and who should do it?

After you have composed the first draft of your case study analysis, read through it to check for any gaps or inconsistencies in content or structure: Is your thesis statement clear and direct? Have you provided solid evidence? Is any component from the analysis missing?

Source :  University of Arizona Writing Center. (n.d.). Writing a case study analysis .  URL: https://writingcenter.uagc.edu/writing-case-study-analysis

• For additional help with the final draft on revisions and editing, please refer to Writing@APUS, The Final Product for tips on proofreading,  
• Looking for other business writing resources?  See:  How to Find Business Communication & Writing Resources

Questions?  Contact the library .

• How do I find case studies about my research topic?
• How can I find case study articles about metaphors in organizations?
• Analyze a case study (Cenage)
• Write a case study analysis (Cenage)
• How to Write and Format a Business Case Study (ThoughtCo,)
• Boston Univerity Libguide | Open Access Business Case Studies
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Masterful Decision-Making: Identifying the Right Alternatives

by Logapps LLC June 17, 2020

Proper planning and research are the foundation of alternatives analysis. The first step is to establish the problem and define the decisions that will be made. The client may come to you with an initial problem or a problem with a solution that has already been implemented. Apart from the system itself, stakeholders and decision makers may have disagreements amongst themselves. Planning involves comprehensive research and meetings with team members and stakeholders in the process to outline objectives, designate efforts, and estimate costs. Evaluating the time and resources available is important to ensure that the project itself can be carried out. These initial steps give the project direction and set goals for completion. 

Many decision makers do not know where to start when gathering information about the market. One approach is to study the competition: research if competitors have encountered a comparable problem in the past and learn from their successes and failures. Case studies are excellent sources of information, because they are real-world examples of implemented solutions.  Alternatively, reaching out to the consumers may be equally as effective. Surveys and focus groups are a direct method of obtaining feedback on past projects or proposals for new technologies. An external perspective may be the key to a solution.

Deciding on alternatives should be a team effort to incorporate a variety of perspectives. Having an open discussion or multiple “brainstorming sessions” with team members may highlight options not considered before. This allows for input from legal, economic, and technological perspectives as well as various levels of experience. The aim of identifying alternatives could be to resolve a problem with an initially proposed decision or simply have a backup plan in case a decision goes awry. These may include modification, elimination, developing a new system, delaying a decision, or maintaining the “status quo”- keeping the current system in place. Depending on the given situation, some alternatives may be more beneficial than others. While adjusting the system, removing a part of the system, or creating a new system altogether may seem more progressive, sometimes delaying the decision or keeping the system in place may be the “right” alternative at the moment. Decision delayal, if implemented with set goals, allows for more time to research and identify the correct approach to an issue. Keeping the status quo is a method that allows for continued experimentation with the current system, considering modifications later on.

There may be many more alternatives available than the ones detailed above. It is important to evaluate multiple alternatives, because the decision-making process may require more than one. There must be set criteria to evaluate each alternative and compare them to one another. This will provide a method of elimination for ineffective alternatives. This process can be time-consuming but is worthwhile in the end. According to a report on the Analysis of Alternatives in Defense Acquisitions from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), “programs that considered a broad range of alternatives tended to have better cost and schedule outcomes than the programs that looked at a narrow scope of alternatives” [1]. A robust assessment of alternatives will help to develop working solutions better fit to the client’s needs. 

The presentation of results to stakeholders and decision-makers is an opportunity to showcase the information generated so far. Whether the presentation is a PowerPoint, a report, an infographic, or an open discussion, presenting the results of the alternatives analysis as clearly, consistently, and accurately as possible is the priority. This will let major stakeholders know how the project is going and if more resources are needed. The team must also provide a detailed analysis of the systematic and engineering risks. This will help plan for future implementation, make accurate cost estimates, and ensure that the project is completed on schedule. Direct and honest communication with stakeholders throughout the process will result in a better outcome.

Meticulously researching the contexts of the problem, analyzing and comparing various alternatives, and consulting the findings will help foster successful solutions. It may take time to identify the correct alternatives and it may take multiple trials to implement them. However, the key to establishing successful alternatives is organization and a continued effort toward a specific goal. If the time frame, team, and costs are planned in detail, the decision-making process will become much more manageable.

[1]  “Defense Acquisitions:  Many Analyses of Alternatives Have Not Provided a Robust Assessment of Weapon System Options,” United States Government Accountability Office, Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives, Sep. 2009.

Additional Resources

“Analyses of Alternatives,”  The MITRE Corporation , Aug. 2013.

S. Bauer, “The Art of Decision Making – Part 4: Identifying Alternatives,”  Product Anonymous , 15-Sep-2013.

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Analysis and Selection between Alternative Solutions

Lead Author: Rick Adcock , Contributing Authors: Brian Wells, Scott Jackson, Janet Singer, Duane Hybertson

This topic is part of the Systems Approach Applied to Engineered Systems knowledge area (KA). It describes knowledge related to the analysis and selection of a preferred solution solution from the possible options, which may have been proposed by Synthesizing Possible Solutions . Selected solution options may form the starting point for Implementing and Proving a Solution . Any of the activities described below may also need to be considered concurrently concurrently with other activities in the systems approach systems approach at a particular point in the life of a system-of-interest system-of-interest (SoI).

The activities described below should be considered in the context context of the Overview of the Systems Approach topic at the start of this KA. The final topic in this KA, Applying the Systems Approach , considers the dynamic aspects of how these activities are used as part of the systems approach and how this relates in detail to elements elements of systems engineering systems engineering (SE).

• 1 System Analysis
• 2 Effectiveness Analysis
• 3 Trade-Off Studies
• 4 Systems Principles of System Analysis
• 5.1 Works Cited
• 5.2 Primary References
• 5.3 Additional References

System Analysis

System analysis System analysis is an activity in the systems approach that evaluates one or more system system artifacts created during the activities involved in Synthesizing Possible Solutions , such as:

• Defining assessment criteria assessment criteria based on the required properties and behavior of an identified problem problem or opportunity opportunity system situation.
• Accessing the properties and behavior of each candidate solution in comparison to the criteria.
• Comparing the assessments of the candidate solutions and identification of any that could resolve the problem or exploit the opportunities, along with the selection of candidates that should be further explored.

As discussed in Synthesizing Possible Solutions topic, the problem context for an engineered system engineered system will include a logical or ideal system solution description. It is assumed that the solution that “best” matches the ideal one will be the most acceptable solution to the stakeholders stakeholders . Note, as discussed below, the “best” solution should include an understanding of cost cost and risk risk , as well as effectiveness effectiveness . The problem context may include a soft system soft system conceptual conceptual model model describing the logical elements of a system to resolve the problem situation and how these are perceived by different stakeholders (Checkland 1999). This soft context view will provide additional criteria for the analysis process process , which may become the critical issue in selecting between two equally effective solution alternatives.

Hence, analysis is often not a one-time process of solution selection; rather, it is used in combination with problem understanding and solution synthesis synthesis to progress towards a more complete understanding of problems and solutions over time (see Applying the Systems Approach topic for a more complete discussion of the dynamics of this aspect of the approach).

Effectiveness Analysis

Effectiveness studies use the problem or opportunity system context as a starting point.

The effectiveness of a synthesized system solution will include performance criteria associated with both the system’s primary and enabling functions functions . These are derived from the system’s purpose purpose , in order to enable the realization of stakeholder needs in one or more, wider system contexts.

For a product system product system , there are a set of generic non-functional qualities that are associated with different types of solution patterns or technology, e.g., safety safety , security security , reliability reliability , maintainability maintainability , usability, etc. These criteria are often explicitly stated as parts of the domain domain knowledge of related technical disciplines in technology domains.

For a service system service system or enterprise system enterprise system , the criteria will be more directly linked to the identified user user needs or enterprise enterprise goals. Typical qualities for such systems include agility, resilience resilience , flexibility flexibility , upgradeability, etc.

In addition to assessments of the absolute effectiveness of a given solution system, systems engineers systems engineers must also be able to combine effectiveness with the limitations of cost and timescales included in the problem context. In general, the role of system analysis is to identify the proposed solutions which can provide some effectiveness within the cost and time allocated to any given iteration iteration of the systems approach (see Applying the Systems Approach for details). If none of the solutions can deliver an effectiveness level that justifies the proposed investment, then it is necessary to return to the original framing of the problem. If at least one solution is assessed as sufficiently effective, then a choice between solutions can be proposed.

Trade-Off Studies

In the context of the definition of a system, a trade-off study consists of comparing the characteristics of each candidate system element to those of each candidate system architecture architecture in order to determine the solution that globally balances the assessment criteria in the best way. The various characteristics analyzed are gathered in cost analysis, technical risks analysis, and effectiveness analysis (NASA 2007). To accomplish a trade off study, there are a variety of methods, often supported by tooling. Each class of analysis is the subject of the following topics:

• Assessment criteria are used to classify the various candidate solutions. They are either absolute or relative. For example, the maximum cost per unit produced is c$, cost reduction shall be x%, effectiveness improvement is y%, and risk mitigation is z%.
• Boundaries Boundaries identify and limit the characteristics or criteria to be taken into account at the time of analysis (e.g., the kind of costs to be taken into account, acceptable technical risks, and the type and level of effectiveness).
• Scales are used to quantify the characteristics, properties, and/or criteria and to make comparisons. Their definition requires knowledge of the highest and lowest limits, as well as the type of evolution of the characteristic (linear, logarithmic, etc.).
• An assessment score assessment score is assigned to a characteristic or criterion for each candidate solution. The goal of the trade-off study is to succeed in quantifying the three variables (and their decomposition in sub-variables) of cost, risk, and effectiveness for each candidate solution. This operation is generally complex and requires the use of models.
• The optimization of the characteristics or properties improves the scoring of interesting solutions.

A decision-making process is not an accurate science; ergo, trade-off studies have limits. The following concerns should be taken into account:

• Subjective Criteria – personal bias of the analyst; for example, if the component has to be beautiful, what constitutes a “beautiful” component?
• Uncertain Data – for example, inflation has to be taken into account to estimate the cost of maintenance during the complete life cycle life cycle of a system; how can a systems engineer predict the evolution of inflation over the next five years?
• Sensitivity Analysis – A global assessment score that is designated to every candidate solution is not absolute; thus, it is recommended that a robust selection is gathered by performing a sensitivity analysis that considers small variations of assessment criteria values (weights). The selection is robust if the variations do not change the order of scores.

A thorough trade-off study specifies the assumptions, variables, and confidence intervals of the results.

Systems Principles of System Analysis

From the discussions above, the following general principles principles of systems analysis can be defined:

• Systems analysis is an iterative activity consisting of trade studies made between various solution options from the systems synthesis activity.
• These criteria will be based around an ideal system description that assumes a hard system hard system problem context can be defined.
• The criteria must consider required system behavior and properties of the complete solution in all of the possible wider system contexts and environments.
• Trade studies require equal consideration to the primary system and the enabling system working as a single system to address the user need. These studies need to consider system requirements for Key Performance Parameters (KPPs), systems safety, security, and affordability across the entire life cycle.
• This ideal system description may be supported by soft system soft system descriptions from which additional “soft” criteria may be defined (e.g., a stakeholder preference for or against certain kinds of solutions and relevant social, political, or cultural conventions to be considered in the likely solution environment, etc.).
• At a minimum, the assessment criteria should include the constraints on cost and time scales acceptable to stakeholders.
• A trade study should consider a “system of assessment criteria,” designating special attention to the limitations and dependencies between individual criteria.
• Trade studies need to deal with both objective and subjective criteria. Care must be taken to assess the sensitivity of the overall assessment to particular criteria.

Works Cited

Checkland, P.B. 1999. Systems Thinking, Systems Practice . Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

NASA. 2007. Systems Engineering Handbook , Revision 1. Washington, D.C., USA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASA/SP-2007-6105.

Primary References

ISO/IEC/IEEE. 2015. Systems and Software Engineering -- System Life Cycle Processes . Geneva, Switzerland: International Organisation for Standardisation/International Electrotechnical Commissions/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer. ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 :2015.

Jackson, S., D. Hitchins and H. Eisner. 2010. " What is the systems approach? " INCOSE Insight, vol. 13, no. 1, April, pp. 41-43.

Additional References

• Systems Approach Applied to Engineered Systems

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Team-Building Strategies: Building a Winning Team for Your Organization

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Negotiation Case Studies: Google’s Approach to Dispute Resolution

How google's dispute resolution strategy combines elements of alternative dispute resolution (adr) processes such as mediation and arbitration.

By Katie Shonk — on April 11th, 2024 / Dispute Resolution

Here’s a great example on how to avoid litigation by pursuing negotiation with your counterparts. In the face of antitrust charges, Google’s guiding principle for dispute resolution is “Don’t litigate, negotiate,” according to the Wall Street Journal .

In the past, U.S. and European regulators have accused Google of abusing its dominance in online searches by promoting its own services, such as Google Shopping, at the expense of its competitors’ services. Rival comparison-sites such as Nextag complain that Google lists their products far below Google Shopping results, where they are less likely be found, in consumer searches.

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Negotiation Case Studies: Google and the FTC

Back in 2014, Google avoided formal charges by the Federal Trade Commission by agreeing to make small changes to its search practices. That February, Google reached a similar deal with European Commission regulators, promising to reserve space high on its European search pages for competitors to offer their own search results, albeit only after paying Google for the space. The rivals’ offerings would be shaded and marked as “alternatives.”

The deal allowed Google to avoid an official probe and a potential fine of up to 10% of its global annual revenue, which was $59.8 billion in 2013, according to the Journal. Google competitors, including Microsoft and Nokia, said the settlement terms did not go far enough.

In stark contrast to Google’s strategy of negotiation as dispute resolution, Microsoft fought European antitrust charges for a decade, a battle that ultimately cost the company more than $2.5 billion in fines.

Over the course of the three-year European investigation, Google worked closely with regulators, at times flying its engineers to Brussels, Belgium, to describe the intricacies of its products. After two earlier tentative agreements fell apart in the face of criticism, Google offered “slightly sweetened deals,” the Journal reports. Both sides said they had been eager to avoid a court battle.

Given the high costs and risks of litigation, it usually pays for parties engaged in dispute resolution to try hard to reach a settlement before taking their dispute to court, according to Harvard Law School professor Robert H. Mnookin .

Here are five strategies from Mnookin to help you and your lawyers turn disputes into deals:

Dispute Resolution Strategy 1:  Explore the possibility of engaging in a formal dispute-resolution process such as mediation before going to court.

Dispute Resolution Strategy  2:  Identify and express your myriad interests in the dispute, including those that are not financial, and encourage the other side to do the same.

For example, if you feel wronged, you might ask for a formal apology or evidence that the other party is taking steps to correct its mistakes.

Dispute Resolution Strategy  3: Ask your lawyers to systematically predict the outcome of a possible court case through decision-analysis tools such as decision trees.

Such analyses often make it crystal clear that a negotiated settlement would be a far less risky and costly option for dispute resolution.

Dispute Resolution Strategy  4: Open up to your lawyer about all of your interests and concerns, including those that are personal and emotional.

Too often, clients allow their lawyers to focus exclusively on financial claims—and unwittingly narrow the possibilities for a negotiated settlement.

Dispute Resolution Strategy  5: Align your interests with your lawyer’s through the use of ultimatums and incentives.

For example, you might promise your lawyer a financial bonus if she settles the case in a timely manner.

Which dispute resolution strategies did you find helpful? Leave a comment.

Related Dispute Resolution Posts: These Examples Illustrate the Importance of Negotiation in Business  – Negotiation case studies illustrating the benefits of engaging in integrative bargaining with business counterparts. Dealmaking: 5 Tips for Closing the Deal  – Five negotiation tips for sealing the deal at the negotiation table. How Case Studies Facilitate Negotiated Agreements  – An examination of the impact of case studies on forging negotiated agreements. Dealmaking: Before You Sign on the Dotted Line New Book Series: Breakthrough International Negotiation

Originally published in 2014.

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No Responses to “Negotiation Case Studies: Google’s Approach to Dispute Resolution”

6 responses to “negotiation case studies: google’s approach to dispute resolution”.

I have been a mediator for 12 yrs and conducted over 2100 mediations and mediated for over 7,000 hours. I absolutely agree with the 5 strategies. Many times, lawyers look past logic and reason and simply look to the finances. It’s a shame, but lawyers generally get paid the longer a dispute goes. Everything can be negotiated if the underlying reasons behind the dispute can be exposed and addressed. It is important that the client or the parties to the dispute maintain control of the negotiation using the “advice” of their counsel for what it is, “advice”.

Evidence is compelling..Litigation costs money…Negotiation saves billions…..You can’t afford not to adopt formal dispute resolution processes such as mediation.

Rather than calling it the “Google approach”, you might want to call it the “Non-American approach”. Because it feels more and more as if the American standard response to anything even remotely confrontational is litigation or even outright conflict. Words such as compromise and diplomacy seem to have been relegated to the “if nothing else works” position. A pity. For so much more can be achieved through negotiation, as Mr Mnookin so rightly points out, than through the “Shoot first, shoot hard” approach. And a large chunk of the rest of the world knows this, and gets things done smoothly and quietly through negotiating, bargaining, compromising, talking.

excellent!!!

Nice!! Where’ s number 5? Edit room cut? 🙂

The number 5 has rejoined the conversation Charley! 🙂 Thank you for your feedback!

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• Introduction
• About Case Study Reports
• Section A: Overview
• Section B: Planning and Researching
• Section C: Parts of a Case Study
• Section D: Reviewing and Presenting
• Section E: Revising Your Work
• Section F: Resources
• Your Workspace
• Guided Writing Tools

• About Lab Reports
• Section C: Critical Features
• Section D: Parts of a Lab Report

• About Literature Review
• Section C: Parts of a Literature Review
• Section D: Critical Writing Skills

• About Reflective Writing
• Section B: How Can I Reflect?
• Section C: How Do I Get Started?
• Section D: Writing a Reflection

Case Study Report Annotated Example: Alternatives and Decision Criteria

Use the arrows that appear in this window to navigate through the annotations. Read the corresponding highlighted text in the content box below. Click Begin Activity to start.

Present all viable, mutually exclusive alternatives.

Outline the criteria that will be systematically applied in order to determine the best solution to the problem being faced.

Be sure to include ranking and weighting information associated with the decision criteria.

There are two separate organizational structures that are consistent with the recommended strategy and that fit Company XYZ’s needs. Each structure takes a different approach to balancing innovation with a focus on profitability and efficiency.

Alternative 1

The first alternative organizational structure, referred to as a matrix structure, is a unique structure associated with an equal balance of profitability and innovation. This includes having two separate groups of managers; one group will be responsible for the functional aspects of the organization, including marketing, accounting, and any other activities necessary for Company XYZ’s operations to continue. The second group of managers will be responsible for specific product lines including innovation and development. This structure will likely see one employee with two different managers; one for their product line and one for their associated functional department.

Decision Criteria

Each of the aforementioned alternatives can be evaluated using the following decision criteria (listed in order of importance and including the weighting of each criterion):

• The recommendation must increase both sales and employee morale ( 60% );
• The recommendation must align with a strategy that promotes innovation and product development (25%); and
• The recommendation must be able to absorb Company XYZ’s growth in the future, including the ability to add or remove product lines as needed (15%).
• Executive Summary
• Alternatives
• Recommendations