INDIVIDUAL CASE ANALYSIS
• you will write a case analysis, 10 to 11 pages in length. Your papers must integrate the course contents as well as your capstone knowledge of business. Be sure to cover all portions adequately. A 9-page paper, for example, that focuses on the SWOT analysis and does not adequately directly the strategic issue or recommendation will be reflected in your grade. Use a size 11-12 font and 1 ½ line spacing. There are approximately 4500 words in ten pages.
• When writing the report, organize your thoughts to include these sections, and include all these headings, in this order:
➢ Table of contents: Detail the contents of your paper and reference the page numbers. This page does not count towards your minimum required number of pages.
➢ Executive Summary: This is a one-page summary that is written after completing the entire report. It provides a brief overview of the company, the strategic issue it is facing, your recommendation to remedy the strategic issue, an implementation plan and the primary analytical findings that support your recommendation. Guidance on writing an executive summary is provided on Canvas. The executive summary does not count toward the numbers of pages required.
➢ Introduction: Identify or infer the organization’s current mission, major business objectives, and strategies. Evaluate the effectiveness or appropriateness of these strategies and how well or poorly the organization has performed in meeting those objectives. This is where page 1 begins. Number it as such.
➢ Analysis of the External Environment: Analyze the important factors, trends, and probable future conditions which may justify the pursuit of key opportunities and avoidance of potential threats.
➢ Analysis of the Internal Analysis: What are the organization’s strengths and weaknesses? What are the
company’s core competences? Consider the different company functions such as marketing, finance, production and operations, technology and intellectual property.
➢ Major Strategic Issue: Based on your analysis, what is the one most important issue facing the company?
➢ Recommended Strategy: Make the case for an original or pre-determined (if the case already has determined a course of action) strategy that you think holds promise for the company’s future success.
Be sure to identify the strategy the company is currently using and which you think it should be using.
Be sure to formulate a BHAG which envisions the firm’s long-term future and several long, intermediate and short-term strategies which align with the attainment of that BHAG. Remember, you must identify a strategy that is broad in nature – differentiation based, cost based, and focus based.
➢ Implementation of Strategy: Include the incremental recommendations that will support the broad strategy. Include the tactics by which you hope to achieve your recommended strategy. Be sure to focus on short and intermediate term goals.
➢ Something new to consider: include an insight regarding a strategic management tool that a company shared in the media or a technique to accomplish a certain goal not mentioned in our course materials. For example, how do we run a real brainstorming session to generate new ideas? Since strategic management is about the integration and relationship between components could something new being done elsewhere be relevant to your case study. You can move this subheading to wherever if fits best but please remember it. Another example might be Zappo’s idea of a circular organizational structure. Should that be considered? You can also rename it if you like. Please cite this section.
➢ Works cited page: Include any important research materials you used such as industry data, demographic trends and financial data. Be sure to reference this data in the main text and reference your sources. At least 3 works cited must be included.
➢ Appendices: Include charts and graphs that help illuminate your argument and reference them in your text. Graphics can elegantly provide detail allowing you to focus on the main points in your written analysis. Appendix pages do not count toward the numbers of pages required.
