GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A CASE STUDY ANALYSIS

These guidelines will guide you through the process of completing the assignment:
What steps you need to take
How to use the assignment information effectively
How to read the case study
How to structure and organise your writing
What is a case study?
A case study is an example of real-life issues (problems) in a company or
organisation that you have been asked to solve. Writing a case study analysis requires
you to uncover the problem or problems, examine alternative solutions and propose the
most effective solution using supporting evidence, and finally, to make recommendations for
action.
Step 1: Preparing the Case Study Assignment
1. Before you begin writing, you need to understand what you have to do. First, read all
the information that forms part of the assessment task:
a. Read the task carefully to find out what you have to do.
b. Read the marking rubric to find out what criteria will be used to mark the
assignment.
2. Use reading strategies (skimming, scanning and deep reading) to understand the
case.
a. Take notes; highlight relevant facts, underline key problems.
3. Create a mind-map to summarise and organise ideas, and information.
4. Read the electronic links provided in the Week 4 Assessment Task to help you
develop the academic skills needed to complete the case study assignment.
Case Study Online and Interactive Tutorial:
https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/ - in the Learning Lab Assessment Tasks
button click on Case Studies https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/content/casestudies-0
How to answer a case study:

https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/content/case-studies-tutorial
How to get help from an on-line tutor: (After opening the link click on Ask a
learning advisor which is found on the right side under the heading ONLINE
SERVICES)

https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/smarthinking
How to apply the Harvard Referencing style

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http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/bus/public/referencing

ITM 2016
Developed by RMIT University Study and Learning Centre &
Dr. M Heffernan, O.A.M.

5. Analyse the case by asking questions

a. What are 2 to 3 problems I can identify in the case?
b. Why do they exist?
c. How do they impact the organisation?
d. Who is responsible for them?
6. Review your course notes. Have you studied examples of similar problems? What
methods, approaches or theories were discussed?
7. Research scholarly articles to increase your knowledge about the methods,
approaches or theories that apply to the problems you identified. This research will
help you develop possible solutions.
8. Develop possible solutions
a. What needs to change?
9. Develop 2 to 3 possible alternative solutions to the issues (problems) you identified.
a. Support your solutions by using evidence from your research.
b. Explain which theory (or theories) supports each solution you suggest.
10. Select the best solution
Which solution will have the most impact?
Consider strong supporting evidence, pros, and cons: is this solution realistic?
Step 2: Writing the assignment
Once you have gathered the necessary information, a first draft of your analysis should
include these sections (you may use these headings in your assignment or develop your
own headings):
1. Introduction

Include a brief general statement about the sector the case study is from.
Identify the challenges managers face when managing complex organisational
environments in this organisational sector.
Identify the particular company you are going to analyse.

2. Background
The Background section is to set the scene so the reader has some information about the
background of the company you are analysing.

Use your own words to paraphrase background information, relevant facts, and
the most important issues from the case.

Do not just copy information from the case study: be brief and summarise.

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ITM 2016
Developed by RMIT University Study and Learning Centre &
Dr. M Heffernan, O.A.M.

3. Identification of issues and problems

In this section you identify the major problems and their causes

What are the major problems? What caused them?

Describe the positive and negative aspects of the management approaches and
activities in the case.
Integrate the information in the case study with relevant management theories
and approaches.
o Use concepts from class (scholarly readings, tutorial discussions,
lectures) and your research to show which management theories and
approaches apply to the problems you have identified
Read https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/content/case-studies-tutorial to
help you understand how to integrate theories

4. Possible Solutions
This section should link to the issues and problems you identified in the previous section.

Outline 2 to 3 possible alternatives that could resolve the issues and/or problems
that you identified in section 3 (you are not required to write all alternativesjust
the key alternatives you consider are having the most impact on the organisation)

5. Proposed Solution

Provide one specific and realistic solution.

Explain why this solution was chosen.
Support this solution with solid evidence from your research for this assignment
and concepts from class (scholarly readings, tutorial discussions, lectures).

6. Recommendations

What specific strategies are needed by management for accomplishing the proposed
solution?
o What should be done and who should do it?
Which management approach/es would you recommend the company adopt to meet
the challenges it currently faces?
What outcomes would you expect these approaches to have?

7. Reference List

Minimum of 5 references in the Harvard referencing style

http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/bus/public/referencing

SUBMITTING YOUR ASSIGNMENT

ITM 2016
Developed by RMIT University Study and Learning Centre &
Dr. M Heffernan, O.A.M.

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You can submit your assignment through Turnitin multiple times if you would like to check its
similarity. However, please keep in mind that the final paper you submit will be the paper that
gets graded.

Before you submit your assignment online through Blackboard (Assessment Assignment 1
Submit your Assignment 1 Case Study here) seek help from
your tutor
Study and Learning Centre
SLAMS
Library

Finalising the Case Study assignment

After you have composed the first draft of your case study analysis:
Read through your draft carefully.
Check for any gaps or inconsistencies in your content or structure:
o Have you identified key issues and problems?
o Have you provided solid evidence and supported the evidence with theories
and concepts from scholarly articles?
o Do the solutions link to the issues (problems) you identified?
o Is any part of the analysis missing?
o Have you provided in-text referencing to indicate where you have integrated
theories and concepts?
o Have you provided a reference list at the end of the paper using the Harvard
referencing style? Make sure the list is in alphabetical order by family name!

Make any necessary revisions.

Proofread and edit your analysis. Submit it through Turnitin to check the similarity
rating.

Use the University services to help you

o SLAMS
o Study and Learning Centre
o Library
o English Language Centre
o Your Tutor (on Blackboard)
o Your tutor in weekly tutorials

Submit the final assignment.

o Make sure your name and student ID are written on the front page in the
Header.

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ITM 2016
Developed by RMIT University Study and Learning Centre &
Dr. M Heffernan, O.A.M.