By North Essay Help Editorial Team ·
How to Write a Business Case Study Analysis (Harvard Case Method, Step by Step)
A business case analysis isn't a summary of the case. Your instructor has read it. What they mark is whether you can identify the real problem, analyze it with evidence from the case, weigh options and make a recommendation you can defend. The case method, developed at Harvard Business School, is built around one question: what would you do if you were the decision-maker?
The six-section structure
| Section | What it does | Share of words |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Executive summary | Problem, recommendation and expected result in one paragraph | 5 to 10% |
| 2. Problem statement | The central decision or issue, in one or two sentences | 5% |
| 3. Analysis | Frameworks applied to case evidence | 35 to 40% |
| 4. Alternatives | 2 to 4 realistic options, each evaluated | 20% |
| 5. Recommendation | Your choice and why it beats the others | 10 to 15% |
| 6. Implementation | Who does what, by when, at what cost, and how success is measured | 10 to 15% |
Step 1: Read the case twice
First read: fast, for the story. Who's the protagonist? What decision do they face? By when?
Second read: slow, with a pen. Mark numbers, constraints, stakeholder views, and the exhibits. Exhibits (financial tables, market data) often hold the evidence that decides the case.
Step 2: Find the real problem
Symptoms are what the case describes. The problem is the cause. Analysis built on a symptom leads to a weak recommendation.
| Symptom (in the case) | Possible underlying problem |
|---|---|
| Sales falling | Product no longer fits customer needs; pricing; new competitor |
| High staff turnover | Pay below market; poor management; no career path |
| Cash shortage despite profits | Inventory or receivables growing faster than sales |
| Missed deadlines | Unclear roles; capacity too low for demand |
Weak problem statement: "The company has problems with sales."
Strong problem statement: "Should the owner open a second location in 2026, given that the current store is at capacity but cash reserves cover only four months of costs?"
Step 3: Choose frameworks that fit the problem
Using every framework you know is a common mistake. Pick the one or two that answer the question.
| If the problem is about | Use |
|---|---|
| Overall strategic position | SWOT, then TOWS |
| The external environment | PESTLE |
| Industry attractiveness or competition | Porter's Five Forces |
| Sources of competitive advantage | VRIO, value chain |
| Growth options | Ansoff matrix |
| Product portfolio | BCG matrix |
| Marketing | 4Ps / 7Ps, STP |
| Financial decisions | Ratios, break-even, NPV, payback |
| Change or people issues | Kotter's 8 steps, stakeholder mapping |
Every framework point needs case evidence: "Supplier power is high: the case states two suppliers provide 80% of raw materials (Exhibit 3)."
Step 4: Generate and evaluate alternatives
Give 2 to 4 options. Include the "do nothing" option if it's realistic; it shows you've considered the cost of inaction. Score them against criteria from the case.
Worked example: a Toronto coffee roaster is at capacity and must decide how to grow.
| Criteria (weight) | A: Open second café | B: Wholesale to grocers | C: Online subscriptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue potential (30%) | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Upfront cost (25%) | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Fit with brand (20%) | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Risk (15%) | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Speed to launch (10%) | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Weighted score | 2.85 | 3.40 | 4.05 |
Scores 1 (poor) to 5 (strong). Weighted score = sum of score x weight. The weights are your judgment, so justify them from the case: if cash is tight, upfront cost deserves a high weight.
Step 5: Recommend one option
Commit. "The company could consider several options" scores lower than a clear choice. Say why your option wins and how you'll handle its main weakness.
Recommendation: Launch online subscriptions (Option C). It has the lowest upfront cost, which matters given four months of cash reserves, and can launch within 8 weeks. Its main weakness, lower revenue potential, is addressed by reviewing wholesale (Option B) after 12 months, funded by subscription cash flow.
Step 6: Plan implementation
| Action | Owner | Timeline | Cost | KPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build subscription page and payment setup | Marketing lead | Weeks 1 to 4 | $8,000 | Site live |
| Launch to existing customer email list | Owner | Week 5 | $500 | 200 subscribers by week 12 |
| Review results and wholesale option | Owner and finance | Month 12 | none | Monthly recurring revenue target |
Grading checklist
- Problem statement is one decision, not a list of symptoms
- Frameworks chosen to fit the problem, not all of them
- Every analytical point cites case evidence or an exhibit
- Numbers from the exhibits are used (ratios, growth, margins)
- 2 to 4 alternatives evaluated against stated criteria
- One clear recommendation, with its risks addressed
- Implementation plan with owners, timing, cost and KPIs
- No long summary of the case story
- Assumptions stated where the case lacks data
Frequently asked questions
How long should a case study analysis be?
Commonly 1,500 to 3,000 words for an undergraduate assignment, or a 5 to 10 slide deck for a presentation. Follow your brief.
Should I summarize the case?
Only in one or two sentences for context. Your marker has read it.
What if the case doesn't have the data I need?
State a reasonable assumption and explain it: "Assuming the industry average margin of 12%..." Marked well if it's clear and reasonable.
Can I use outside research?
Usually yes for context, but the core analysis should use case facts. Some instructors forbid outside sources, so check.
Do I write in first person?
Most business schools prefer third person or "we recommend". Follow your program's style.
What's the difference between a case study and a case study analysis?
A case study is the story of a business situation. A case study analysis is your diagnosis and recommendation based on it.
Related guides and tools
- SWOT analysis example: Shopify 2026
- How to write a research paper
- Free APA 7 citation generator
- Case study help
- Management assignment help
- Marketing assignment help
Sources: Harvard Business School, The HBS Case Method (hbs.edu). Ellet, W. (2018). The Case Study Handbook (revised ed.). Harvard Business Review Press. The coffee roaster is a fictional teaching example.
