Case Study Resources
This page is the database for all the models that aid the Business Case Study Approach, categorized by;
- Our Thinking – Innovative ways to the case study approach
- Models – Specific models referenced in the framework
- Tools – Additional tools for specific case study strategies
- Quick Tips – Easy ways to make your analysis more efficient and effective
Below, you can find an overview, explanation, and a break down of the steps required to successfully utilize each resource. Please note that in many of the models we use an example to help better illustrate the concepts. It is concurrent with the example used throughout the framework – Conucci Olive Oil: a business that is having troubles with rising expenses.
Our Thinking
A cumulation of knowledge from analyzing thousands of cases, tried and tested on the most prestigious international case competition stages – below we share out thinking about the most optimal and thought leading ways to analyze and present a case. These innovative ways push the boundaries of what in effective analysis looks like, and will soon be the standard in classrooms and on stage.
Strategy is the plan of action of how they can transform any operational section of the business necessary to get to their ideal state.
The Case Study One-Pager outlines the core and most important aspects of a case study. This one page outline allows you to capture only the relevant information you need to start your case analysis process, while not focusing on trying to boil the ocean with all of the case facts and figures. From this one page, you can start deducing the problem(s) and objective(s) and set your road map to your case resolution.
When presenting your solution to a case study, the most effective way to do so is to tell a story. A story, above all else, is smooth and fluent which is why the transition between presenters cannot be choppy and awkward.
Arguably the holy grail of slide design, the Action Title solves many problems and achieves most goals of an effective presentation. Visually unappealing presentations can become artistic masterpieces, and confusing slides can shed revelation to the beholder when action titles are in place.
Models
The models below are industry leading guides to analyze any business problem or situation. Written in the exact same format for ease of use and replication, they will spell out exactly how each model works, how to do it yourself, and most importantly how to use if in a case study setting to achieve the preeminent solution.
The 4 Ps are four elements that are essential to be considered when evaluating or analyzing a business situation. These elements help structure the analysis, evaluation, and decision-making process within the business context
PESTEL is an analytical framework that looks at external factors of a business from a macro-level view.
The 3 Cs model is used to examine both internal and external factors that contribute to the success of a company. The external factors are the competitors in the same industry, but it is also the customers and how they react to what the company is doing. The internal aspect is the company itself, including employees and stakeholders. It can be used in combination with other models in order to gain a deeper understanding of the company you are working on.
The VRIO framework used in strategic management to evaluate the competitive advantage of a company’s resources and capabilities. VRIO stands for Value, Rarity, Imitability, and Organization. Each of these dimensions is assessed to determine whether a particular resource or capability can provide a sustained competitive advantage.
The 80/20 rule is a method of analysis in business or management that looks at cause and effect relationships in the outcomes of a company’s decisions. These outcomes are used to optimize business strategy and efficiency.
The Business Model Canvas is a strategic management tool that helps us visualize and describe the key aspects of a business model. It provides a structured framework for understanding how a business creates, delivers, and captures value.
Tools
The tools below aid you to have the most effective case study analysis. Either idealized and developed by the CaseStudyU team, or inspired from other uses but tailored for analyzing case studies, they will put your analysis and presentation above those who just do the basics.
Every analysis needs structure. Every presentation needs a story. Therefore, as your analysis is the basis and majority of your presentation, you will present your findings and strategy through a story.
The goal of presenting your analysis and recommended solution is to generate buy-in from the audience. Below is a checklist of the most important things you should incorporate into your presentation to ensure a unanimous buy-in. This checklist was made through analyzing numerous presentations, both on the presenting side through industry professionals feedback, as well as through the audience and judging side.
Quick Tips
The quick tips below are very short and to the point ways to make your case analysis as efficient and effective as possible. Speed is essential to an effective case analysis, so these tips will allow you to bypass time wasting activities so you can focus on the deep work needed to have a successful analysis and presentation.
Being MECE one of the most critical aspects of the problem-solving process. MECE stands for Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive. Let’s break down the two distinct sections to identify the undeniable importance of being MECE.