Developed by Lilo Altali
Project Management/Innovation/Business Analysis
What is a case study?
A case study analysis requires you to investigate a problem, challenge your assumptions, examine the alternative solutions, and propose the most effective solution using supporting evidence.
1) Read the case over once, without taking any notes or highlighting.
2) Identity the task or questions assigned by your instructor. Ensure you understand them.
3) Examine the case thoroughly. Highlight relevant facts, underline, etc.
4) On a scrap piece of paper, map out the case:
a. What is the subject organization or project of the case?
b. Identify two to three key problems.
c. Are you able to investigate why these problems exist? If not, what are your hypotheses?
d. How do these problems influence the project and/or organization?
e. Who is responsible for them?
f. Could these problems have been prevented? If so, how?
5) Look to your map you developed above in step 4. Does it help you address the task you identified in step two?
6) If so, begin to uncover possible solutions to the problems presented in the case? Focus on quantity during this part.
a. If you still don’t have enough information in the “map” – review the questions and ensure you provided thoughtful answers.
7) Create a list of metrics to help you assess the solutions you came up with in step six. Some examples include:
a. Does this align with the organizational culture?
b. Does this solve the root of the problem or just the surface issues?
c. How would the project team feel about this solution?
d. What are some negative consequences of this solution?
e. Will you need extensive stakeholder buy-in for this solution?
8) Identify the best solution for this case and discuss why you chose that one.
