The business case study is the dominant assignment format in undergraduate and MBA programs because it tests the full cycle of strategic analysis: read facts → diagnose situation → generate alternatives → recommend action → plan implementation. Most students lose marks not on knowledge but on structure — they describe the situation without diagnosing it, recommend without weighing alternatives, or skip implementation entirely. This hub walks through the standard format and the frameworks examiners expect at each stage.
The structure
A complete case study follows a five-section structure: (1) Executive Summary — one paragraph summarizing your recommendation. (2) Situation Analysis — facts, frameworks (PESTLE, Five Forces, SWOT), key issues. (3) Alternatives — 2-4 distinct options with pros/cons of each. (4) Recommendation — your chosen option with rationale tied back to analysis. (5) Implementation — concrete actions, timeline, KPIs, contingencies. Most case writers shortchange sections 3 and 5; the marks are there.
Step-by-step walkthrough
- Read for facts first — Underline dates, numbers, decisions, key people
- Apply frameworks — PESTLE for environment, Porter for industry, SWOT for firm
- Identify key issues — what is the firm actually deciding?
- Generate alternatives — at least three distinct strategic options
- Evaluate alternatives — pros, cons, financial impact for each
- Recommend — explicitly choose, anchored in your analysis
- Implement — specific actions, owners, timeline, KPIs
- Address contingencies — what if your recommendation doesn't work?
Pitfalls when using this hub
- Description without diagnosis (situation analysis becomes summary)
- Recommendation without alternatives (looks unjustified)
- No implementation plan (strategy without execution)
- Frameworks dropped in without integration (Porter for Porter's sake)
- Ignoring numbers and dates (cases are evidence-based)
How to use this hub
Use this hub as a checklist. Before writing your case, walk through each step and confirm you have evidence and frameworks for each. The recommendation section is where most marks are won — make sure it is specific, time-bound, and tied to measurable KPIs. Pair this hub with the relevant concept guides for the framework choice (SWOT, Porter, etc.) and with case studies of analogous companies for inspiration on tone and depth.