Business Case Analysis: Structure, Format, & Examples

Let’s start with a clear explanation of a business case analysis.

What Is a Case Analysis?

A case analysis is a decision-making tool for achieving a higher efficiency level. This instrument helps estimate all the costs, risks, and benefits. A case analysis in business investigates a business problem providing possible solutions and recommendations. A business case analysis should include statistics, literature support, and other data.

For example, you consider whether to open a company’s new office. You need to assess costs, benefits, and other factors connected to opening a new department. After evaluating these indicators, it is possible to make a rational decision.

Here are the main functions of case analysis:

1. Conduct Preparatory Work
   We will divide each stage into basic steps to make things go smoother.
   Preparatory work for a case analysis should include:
   • Introduction. You should provide a brief description of the case. Your audience wants to know the subject’s background and essential details.
   • Problem definition. To tackle a problem, one should see it inside out. That’s why you should thoroughly define and describe the issue.
   • Predictions. Finally, it’s vital to introduce possible solutions, methods, and outcomes in this part.

1. Outline the Case
   The case analysis format includes outlining. At this point, you need to outline the core parts of case analysis:
   • Choose the range of problems. Dive deeper into its essence. Provide a detailed description.
   • Show the relation of a problem to the business situation in question. It’s vital to evaluate the issue and mark its origins.
   • Brainstorm realistic decisions. What can improve the situation in general? You should also answer the question, “What changes will it bring to the case?”

1. Complete the Analysis
   A case study analysis should have a consistent conclusion like any other writing assignment.
   • Summarize the points you revealed in your study.
   • Draw the most significant implications of the conducted work.
   • Finally, highlight the importance of the analysis and solutions for the business.

🧠 Business Case Analysis: How to Analyze

Observing the case study analysis structure is a great way to learn how to write a case analysis. Let’s look at the Netflix case analysis outline example.

• Step #1. At first, we define the essence of a problem:
  • The usual work format of Netflix gets outdated and doesn’t bring enough success.
  • So we need to look for breakthrough decisions that would become a game-changer.
  • Why did the old Netflix model become outdated?
  • What were the market changes that demanded the company changes?
  • Development of online media.
  • Urge to adjust to modern realities.
  • The company’s purpose is to provide quality content.
  • Transformation of Netflix into a streaming service.
  • Meeting the demands of various groups.
  • Advertising campaigns.

  📝 Business Case Analysis Format & Structure

  In this part, we will discuss the format of a case analysis. Like any writing task, there are several vital parts that you need to include. Below is a general structure applicable to any case analysis.

  Executive Summary

  • The executive summary should describe the issues of a business or a project and the current situation. At this point, you can include only essential details.
  • The executive summary includes introductory, body, and concluding parts.
  • Be brief but mention the goals and field of the research.
  • Define the sources of information you will use in a study.
  • A precious tip. While creating your executive summary, mind the question: “How much does my audience already know, and how much do I need to explain?”

  Introduction

  • Unlike the summary, the introduction is not an overview. It is the part where you start getting into the details of the study. Here, you provide the context and objectives for the research.
  • You should put up a hypothesis about the origin and background of the problem.
  • A precious tip. While making a hypothesis about the problem, answer the question: “Why did it appear?” and suggest your most brilliant solution to it.

  Methods

  • The section where you describe methodology is optional.
  • If you choose a solution to multiple problems in your study, you should mention the methods. Tell about the approaches you used to analyze the possible results of the decision.
  • A precious tip. It can happen that you weren’t thinking about any methodology while making a study. In that case, search for different case analysis methods after you finish your work. Look through those and check out whether you used any of them.

  Solutions & Assumptions

  • Probably, the most practical part of your case study. The core of the analysis begins here.
  • Provide various solutions to the analyzed issues to apply the most realistic ones. Placing them in order of significance will make this section easier to perceive.
  • A precious tip. Try to think out of the box and brainstorm viable findings. Your professor will appreciate your approach, and you will train the skill of creative thinking.

  Recommendations

  • Since you’ve already made several good decisions, you probably marked the most notable one.
  • It’s high time to propose a strategy to improve business.
  • Justify your choice of solutions and describe the steps of using it
  • A precious tip. Share other solutions to less significant business problems. That will enrich your analysis making it more complete.

  Conclusion

  • The goal of a conclusion is not just to sum up your research ideas. It’s meant to show the perspectives for further research and development.
  • In most cases, one or two concluding paragraphs will be sufficient for a case study. Sometimes it may require more.
  • A conclusion is your chance to make the last impression. You can show that your research is valuable for the field. Use it wisely.

  References & Appendices

  • If you used external sources of information in your study, make sure you provide references to them. You can use such citation styles as MLA, APA, or Harvard.
  • If you have any other data to share, frame it up in the “Appendices” section. This is the place for vital information that may interrupt the body of a paper. That is why you place it in a special section.

  📈 Case Study Tips & Tricks for Students

  1. Conduct pre-research. Read the information about the case and make notes while reading.
  2. Focus on the search for business problems and mark as many as you can spot. It will create the whole picture of the case in your mind.
  3. Brainstorm possible solutions to each problem in the question. You will choose the best ones.
  4. Give a brief description of the company in the executive summary.
  5. Enumerate the issues that you have chosen for further discussion. You should also mention the reasons. Why did these problems appear?
  6. Choose the theoretical base that you will rely upon in your study.
  7. Read some examples of case study analyses. For instance, go through our Netflix case study.
  8. When you suggest solutions, provide solid proof that they are realistic and possible.
  9. Don’t forget to describe the possible results of the changes that your solutions will bring.
  10. Revise your paper carefully and get rid of logical errors. Look at your study with a critical eye.

  🍟 Business Case Analysis Example

  We have prepared a McDonald’s business case analysis example for you to see how everything works in practice!

  McDonald’s Business Case Analysis: Supply Chain Issues Due to COVID-19

  • Comparative analysis of McDonald’s financial statements before and after the pandemic.
  • Analysis of the company’s supply chain reports during COVID-19.
  • Context analysis of McDonald’s media publications of that period.
  • Interview with McDonald’s employees.
  • Interview with McDonald’s clients.
  1. Increased expenses. The pandemic boosted shipping and raw material costs. To solve this issue, McDonald’s must work with a diversified supplier base to access more competitive pricing.
  2. Labor shortages. The pandemic reduced labor supply because many employees were forced to stay home due to illness. Automating certain tasks can minimize the consequences of employee shortage and reduce the reliance on human labor.
  3. Lack of ingredients. Since COVID-19 impacted agricultural production and global trade, McDonald’s faced the issue of ingredient shortage. As a possible solution, McDonald’s can collaborate with local farmers to ensure an ongoing fresh food supply, decreasing its reliance on global supply chains.

  🤓 Examples of Case Analysis for Students

  Now, to make you fully equipped and ready, we have a unique tool for you. In the section below, you’ll find plenty of case analysis examples. Here are businesses and companies to any taste. We have got Starbucks, Netflix, and Tesla case study analyses, and many others.

  Starbucks Case Study

  Who doesn’t know Starbucks? This company, though, has examples of falls and raises:

  • Starbucks Corporation’s Organizational Social Responsibility
  • Comparative Analysis Second Cup and Starbucks Coffee Company
  • Starbucks as a Corporation Explorer
  • Starbucks: Profitable Growth After Financial Difficulties

  Netflix Case Study

  Another colossal company on our list is Netflix, with its incredible story of success:

  • Netflix on the Global Market
  • Netflix Company’s Performance and Strategic Audit
  • Netflix Inc.’s Strategic Audit for 2019-2020
  • Netflix Inc.’s Business Strategy and Strategic Analysis
  • Netflix Case Study: Strategic Management, Organizational Change, & More

  Tesla Case Study

  Tesla is something new, but its development process is rapid. It’s worth analyzing:

  • Tesla: Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Tesla Inc.’s Quantitative Analysis
  • Automotive Industry and Tesla, Inc.
  • Business Analysis of Company Tesla, Organization Save a Rescue, and Restaurant Eleven Madison Park
  • Tesla’s Corporate Governance Overview

  Amazon Case Study

  Here’s a great temple of Amazon case study analyses to get acquainted with its story:

  • Amazon Inc.: Company Analysis
  • Amazon Web Services: Analysis
  • Amazon Company: Internal & External Analysis
  • Industry Innovation Report: Amazon
  • Amazon Strategic Audit Report
  • Amazon Case Study: Supply Chain, Fire Phone Failure, and More

  Airbnb Case Study

  Learn about the business decisions that the Airbnb team has been making throughout the company’s history:

  • Airbnb Company: Marketing Communications
  • Sharing Economy on the Example of Airbnb
  • Airbnb Strategic Analysis

  Southwest Airlines Case Study

  Speaking of Southwest Airlines, we won’t mention falls and rises; it is worth attention anyway:

  • Southwest Airlines’ Analysis: In a Different World
  • Southwest Airlines’ Business Policy Summary
  • Southwest Airlines: Company Analysis
  • Southwest Airlines: Company Research

  Google Case Study

  If not the definition, Google is a synonym for great success. Check it out yourself:

  • The Google Inc. Company Analysis
  • Google Merchandise Store’s Business Performance in 2020
  • Google Business Model
  • Overview of Talent at Google

  Walmart Case Study

  Walmart marketing strategies deserve attention, that is for sure:

  • Walmart Ltd Financial Analysis
  • Walmart Supply Chain Case Study
  • Walmart: Commercials’ Role in Affirming a Significant Brand
  • Walmart Great Value Line SOSTAC Analysis
  • Walmart Case Study | Best Case Study Topics

  Uber Case Study

  Read about Uber’s becoming in different countries:

  • Uber Technologies Inc.’s Workplace Diversity and Inclusion
  • Uber: The Principal-Agent Relationship
  • Uber Case Study: Online Technology Development
  • Uber Company’s Internal Analysis and Business Strategy
  • Management Power and Employee Empowerment: The Case of Uber

  Trader Joe’s Case Study

  Here you’ll learn about how Trader Joe influenced the organic foods market:

  Nike Case Study

  We find the Nike case study extremely interesting for business management students. See yourself:

  • Nike: Case Study
  • Nike Company and the Ethical Production Issues
  • Nike: Company Culture and External Environment
  • Distribution Strategies of the Nike Company
  • Nike Company Case Analysis
  • Nike’s Project Failure with Supply Chain System

  McDonald’s Case Study

  McDonald’s business model is also too interesting not to pay attention to it:

  • Business Strategy Analysis McDonalds
  • McDonalds Company: Human Resource’ Functions
  • McDonalds’ vs. Wal-Mart’s Strategic Choices
  • McDonalds Entering Estonia Case Analysis
  • McDonald’s Case Study Freshest Ideas – Strategic Management, Global Marketing

  Zara Case Study

  Zara’s CEO has a unique approach to business that led him to that immense success:

  • Innovation in Action: Zara Stores Case Analysis
  • Zara Company: The Case Study
  • Zara: A Cut Apart From the Competition
  • Zara Company’s Fashion Strategy
  • Zara Company’s International Strategy and Success
  • Zara Company’s Business Model, Competition, Values
  • Zara: Fast Fashion Case Analysis

  Costco Case Study

  Learn about one of the largest wholesale companies in these case study examples:

  • Costco Financial Statement Analysis Research Paper
  • Costco Wholesale Chain Distributorship Analysis
  • Organizational Management Model of Costco Wholesale
  • Marketing and Promotional Strategies of the Costco
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation: Company Analysis
  • Costco Wholesale: Full Analysis of the Company

  Disney Case Study

  Disney is an example of how one man’s project became a huge and popular company:

  • The Walt Disney Company: The Entertainment King
  • The Walt Disney Company Strategic Management
  • Walt Disney World: Financial Analysis
  • Walt Disney Marketing Strategy: Consumer Behavior Analysis
  • SWOT Analysis of Disneyland
  • Disneyland and Its Marketing in France
  • Disney Organizational Structure | Best Disney Case Study Ideas

  Coca-Cola Case Study

  Coca-cola proves that with the proper knowledge of consumers’ psychology, it’s easier to make a profit:

  • Management in the Coca-Cola Company
  • Coca-Cola’s Strategic Plans
  • Operations and Information Management of Coca Cola
  • Coca-Cola Company in China
  • Coca-Cola: Company Analysis
  • Company Analysis: The Coca-Cola Company
  • The Coca-Cola Company: Financial Analysis
  • Coca-Cola Case Study: Internal Communication, Diversity, Marketing Strategy

  Chipotle Case Analysis

  We want to present you the analyses of Chipotle – the US casual-fast food chain from the early 90-s:

  • Organizational Behavior in Chipotle: General Analysis and Recommendations
  • McDonald’s and Chipotle: Corporate Social Responsibility

  Concluding words

  As you can see, case analysis is a complex but doable task. You just need to know the right tools.

  We hope to provide you with all the necessary knowledge about business analysis. We are sure that you will use them and get an excellent mark. What’s more important is that you’ll master the skill of conducting a case analysis.

  Use consistent approaches and formal language, add statistical data, and everything will be fine.

  🔗 References

  • 6 Steps of a Case Analysis (With Example) | Indeed.com
  • Writing a Case Study Analysis | UAGC Writing Center
  • What Should Your Business Case Analysis Do?
  • The Case Analysis – Grand Valley State University
  • What Is Business Case Analysis (BCA)?
  • Guidelines for Business Case Analysis – University of Potsdam
  • Writing a Case Analysis – UNSW Australia Business School