The Why and How of Case

Analysis
By Paul Juras, CMA
Strategic Finance
August 2014
Pages 67-70

The Case for Cases

Lecture Approach
It doesnt encourage you as a listener to think about

the content and apply it.

You receive knowledge from the professor and tend to
be graded on your recall of facts.

Case analysis
It is not a long word problem with a right answer.
You make knowledge with the assistance of an expert.
Offers an opportunity to encounter different settings.

Whats in it for you?

It creates opportunity for you to think at a

higher more strategic level.

It enhances your written and oral skills.
Cases arent limited to a single correct
solution.
Opportunity to read about and gain
knowledge in an industry and/or setting you
might not have encountered yet.

Reading a Case
Identify and understand the important aspects

of the situation and how they relate each

other.
Spend more time thinking about the case than
reading it.
Dig in and closely study what you think are
the relevant content and exhibits.
Make your decisions and recommendations
consistent with the specifics of the case.

Developing a persuasive analysis

Must offer evidence linked directly to the

conclusion.
Think about how others might evaluate it.
Find more evidence that aligns with or supports
your recommendation.
Give thought to an action plan, and think about
how you would implement the decision your
recommending.
Give a bit of thought to the order of the actions.
Question your own recommendation.