How Do You Structure Your Case Analysis and Recommendations – A Guide

Have you ever stared at a blank page and wondered how to start your case analysis?

You are not alone.

Many other students and professionals face a similar challenge. 

A well-structured case analysis can make all the difference in presenting your ideas clearly.

A report shows that 90% of employers are on the lookout for candidates with remarkable problem-solving skills. 

This means being able to analyze a case efficiently and provide solid recommendations is important. 

How to structure your case analysis and recommendations like a pro?

In this guide, we will walk you through simple steps to structure your case analysis and recommendations. Here you go.

1. Understand the case 

First and foremost, you need to understand the case thoroughly. This means reading it several times and writing down key points. 

Key points to note

1. Problem statement 

Pinpoint the main issue. 

2. Background information

Gather all relevant data.

3. Stakeholders

 Know who is affected.

4. Constraints

Understand limitations and restrictions.

By breaking down your case into these major parts will help you see the bigger picture and understand the context in a better way.

2. Analyze the case 

Once you understand the case, the next step is to analyze it. It would be best to break down the information into smaller, manageable parts.

Focus on the following points to analyze the case:

1. SWOT analysis 

SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis is one the best and most effective tools for case analysis. 

Strengths and weaknesses are interface factors, like the business’s resources and processes. 

Opportunities and threats, on the other hand, are external factors, such as market trends and competition. 

2. Root cause analysis 

It is another amazing tool for analyzing the case. This helps you find the underlying reasons for a specific problem.

How?

Consider this example. An XYZ manufacturing company is struggling with low productivity. The root cause analysis could uncover that the problem originates from old equipment. 

3. Develop recommendations 

You have analyzed the case. Well done. 

Now is the time to develop your recommendations. They should be practical and actionable.

1.  SMART recommendations

First, you need to make sure your recommendations are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound).

For instance, instead of saying, “Improve your customer service,” the SMART recommendation would be “Implement a customer feedback system within five months to boost service quality.”

2. Prioritize recommendations 

Most often, you will have several recommendations. With that in mind, you should prioritize them based on their impact and feedback. 

4. Structure your case 

It’s time to structure your report. An organized report makes it easier for readers to follow your thought process and conclusions. 

• Executive summary 

Begin with an executive summary. This is an overview of the entire case, highlighting its main points. 

• Introduction

Next, write an engaging introduction. You have to explain the purpose of the case and give some background information about it.

• Analysis

Here, you should present all your findings. It would be best to use multiple subheadings to organize different aspects of the analysis, like SWOT or Root case analysis.

• Recommendations

Outline all recommendations clearly and explain why they are significant and how readers can implement them. 

• Conclusion

End with an ever-lasting conclusion. Summarize all main points and rewrite the importance of your recommendations. 

Templates and Examples 

Template 

Get a sneak peek of the simple template to structure your case analysis and recommendations.

• Executive Summary

An overview of the case and main recommendations.

• Introduction

• Purpose of the case

• Background information

• Case Analysis

• SWOT Analysis

• Root Cause Analysis

• Other relevant analyses

• Recommendations

• SMART recommendations.

• Prioritization of recommendations.

• Conclusion

• Summary of key points.

• Restate the importance of the recommendations.

Example 

• Executive summary 

This case analyzes the decreasing sales of an XYZ retail store. The main recommendations are updating technology and enhancing customer service. 

• Introduction

The primary purpose of this case is to analyze the reasons behind the declining sales of the retail store and provide practical recommendations. This store has been a leader in the market for over a decade but has seen a 10% decline in sales over the past few years. 

• Case analysis 

• SWOT analysis 

• Root cause analysis 

The major issue is the declining sales caused by old-fashioned technology that affects customer service. 

• Recommendations

• Update technology

Implement an innovative point-of-sale system within a couple of months.

• Improve customer service

Train staff on new customer service protocols as early as possible. 

• Expand online presence

Launch an e-commerce platform within a year. 

• Conclusion 

Updating technology and enhancing customer service is essential for transforming this declining sales into maximizing sales at XYZ retail store. They can improve their operational efficiency and customer satisfaction by implementing these recommendations. 

The Bottom Line 

Creating a case analysis and recommendations report can seem difficult. However, with a clear structure and practical approach, it becomes manageable for you. 

Begin with a comprehensive understanding of the case and use analytical tools like SWOT and Root cause analysis, develop SMART recommendations, and organize your report logically.

We hope this guide will help you create a clear, concise, and compelling case analysis. Good luck!