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Business Analyst Case Study

Business analyst case stud y is used to give near-world exposure to a business analyst. So, in this post, we will be discussing what is business analysis, what is business analysis, and what are the requirements and strategies of an analyst. Plus, a business case analysis example for better understanding. Let’s start with understanding what is business analysis before we go to analyst case studies.

What is business analysis?

Business Analysis is a search for identifying the business needs, threats, problems and finding and implementing the solutions and changes which are required for the business.

It has three different roles which define the discipline

  • Analysing the whole business, and its elements to identify any process or elements and identifying the spots which require changes.
  • To find every possible solution for any business problem and to implement the most suited solution.
  • And, therefore, to evaluate the new process of working.

Business Analyst Case Study

who is Business Analyst?

A business analyst is also known as BA analysis the business process, systems, documentation, business model, and technologies to identify the problems and to guide the business towards a better process, structure, product, and technology.

In business analysis, there are many more roles than just business analysis like business systems, systems, processes, product analysis, data scientist etc.

And to understand, what is business analyst, now understand the business analyst roles.  

Business Analyst Role

Before we understand the business analyst case study, let’s understand the business analyst’s role in an organization. To get a better understanding of the job and their roles and responsibilities.

Business Analyst Role

Understand Business Requirements 

The very first thing of an analyst is to understand the needs and requirements of the business and what requirements the business is lacking.

Finding Solutions

The business analyst’s role is to find the solutions for problems which are gathered in the business process, requirements systems, technologies etc.

Project Implementation

A business analyst not only has to create a solution plan plus they have to design and implement the solution in an organization. 

Requirements For Function

It is important to analyze what is required to complete the project. As a result, to understand the business analyst case study understand an analyst identifies the requirements needed and to fulfil those requirements.

Another business analyst role is to test their processes, solutions, and techniques before implementing and making them perfect for the organization. 

Decision Making & Problem-Solving

It is one of the roles which is spread all of their jobs because of making a decision and solving problems. For every problem in business, a business analyst is to find and implement the solution. 

Maintenance of System and Operations

A  business analyst also says that they have to provide maintenance, system validation reports, and deactivation plans. Plus, the analyst is also involved in evaluating the replacement or deactivation is needed.

Moreover, for a better understanding of the business analyst role and these business analyst case study, here are the business analysis requirements and business analysis techniques. Therefore, it explains how a business analyst works.  

Business analysis requirements

Business analysis requirements are divided into different categories. It is a piece of documentation which includes their needs, things which need updations changes etc.

Business Analysis Requirements

So business analysis requirements are classified into:

STAKEHOLDER REQUIREMENTS

Firstly, it’s important to understand who are the stakeholders , to understand business analyst case study the related stakeholders play an important role in understanding their needs and requirements and understanding how business decisions will impact them.

Documenting and fulfilling the stakeholder’s requirements fulfils their requirements and later they fulfil the business requirements.

BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS

Secondly, to create a systematic business plan which includes all the requirements, a working map of the business, and a structure of responsibilities of each person.

SOLUTION REQUIREMENTS

Solution requirements are said to the process or quality improvement i.e changes that are made in the business process or in quality that will fulfil the stakeholder’s requirements. Such a problem will be discussed later in the business analyst case study. As a result, solution requirements in business analysis requirements are classified into:

  • Functional Requirments
  • Non Functional Requirments

TRANSITION REQUIREMENTS

These requirements are referred to the changes that which business wanted in its process. Therefore, in simple terms, it is a process of a transaction from the current state to the target state.

A transition can be about any process or domain which might be misunderstood, so it’s important to document before start working on the project. 

business analysis techniques

Business analysis techniques are some of the ways through which business analyst use to determine the environment of the business. These techniques are used later in the business analyst case studies.

Also, these techniques determine which business decisions can be most effective and from which decisions the firm has to face consequences

Business Analysis Techniques

Here are the 4 most common business analysis techniques:

MOST refers to Mission, Objectives, and Strategies. It helps in evaluating the internal analysis of the mission statement. Furthermore, it formulates strategies to tackle hurdles in achieving organisational objectives

It helps in analysing the external environment of the organization. PESTLE stands for:

  • Political: changes in political parties in their ideology, and their policy can affect business decisions.
  • Economical: the economic conditions, economic growth and other economic factors.
  • Social: environment of social society and analysing how the business will be impacted form society culture  
  • Technology: latest technology, and upcoming changes to keep business decisions accurate.
  • Legal: Law, rules, and regulations which are related to the business environment.
  • Environmental: analysing how the business decision will impact the environment.

In business analyst case study a business divides into four parts. And an organization can take four different decisions for each segment. Also, SWOT analysis has four different segments are:

  • Opportunities

Organization analysis of each aspect of business and each business aspect goes to one of these segments.

So, the organization knows which segments need improvements and what are their USPs   

MoSCoW stands for Must or Should, Could or Would. This technique requires analyses of every requirement and marks its level of prioritization.

Afterwards, requirements with the highest prioritization get priority attention.

To understand an analyst job, a business analyst case study will give a real example. So, here is the problem and followed by the solution of how a business analysis example will solve the problem:

In the problem section of the business analyst case study, we discuss the actual problem of the business case analysis example. Furthermore, it is a problem for the consumer goods company (food industry) that are targeting to expand their business. Therefore, here is the problem for business analysis example:

The target for a business analyst is to find the insights of quality measurement systems’ best practises which are required to create better products and the tools and the process which will be required to do so.

Solution 

The solution for these business analyst case studies is divided into subparts. Moreover, the process for finding quality improvement is to find the benchmarking, creating tools, continuous feedback and finalization.

Business Analyst Function Flow

Information gathering

The very first step of any business problem is to gather information as as possible related to that business analysis example. However, gather all the background information related to background i:e information related to the department, and the history of the problem in the organization.

Afterwards, it’s important to understand the various elements which can affect the business analysis strategy. Two models for information gathering:

  • PESTEL Analysis: This method analyzes the external environment of the business. The impacts of different environments on your business or your business decisions .
  • Porter’s Five Force Model : In the analysis of the business environment or impact on business decisions by evaluating Industry competitors, new entrants, substitutes, buyers and suppliers.

  Identify Related Stakeholders

As we are moving further in our business analyst case study, an analyst needs to identify all the stakeholders who are associated with the decision. It’s important to understand how different groups can be affected by the decision.

So it’s, important to take a decision which suits each group of the business. Different groups in business are:

  • Shareholders
  • Competitors

Discover Business Objectives

As the business case study examples say after the background information and understanding of the stake behind the decision. Also, it’s important to understand that the decision will reflect the company’s objective. Moreover, every business case analysis example shows that the decision of the business reflects the business objectives, vision and mission.

Analysis & Benchmarking

Moving further in the business analyst case study and according to our problem of improving product quality improvement.

Analysing the recent process of setting up benchmarks. To create high-quality food products, here is the process:

  • Firstly measure the old process and benchmarks
  • Compare the organization’s benchmark with competitors’ benchmarks and standards.
  • Research for standards and benchmarks needed for improving the quality.
  • In-depth interviews and a survey frames the conduction by the production head, researchers, and experts, to identify small sports to improve.

Tool Creation

After all the findings and research work , the next step in the business analysis example is to create tools and fill the loopholes in the existing process to create a more suitable method.

Note: The process of tool creation and mapping is theoretical.

Afterwards, a final document which includes the findings, and research. Plus, the most suitable process will get on documents.

Requirements for new process added to the document.

As the name suggests in this business analyst case study the designed plan gets trial runs. The goal is to achieve the perfect quality of food. Moreover, it creates more than one process in theory with different variations.

Finalization

After continuous trials and feedback, it is essential to determine the best alternative in the next step of the business analyst case study. As a result, the organization select the best alternative which is most suited and effective. Calculation of process effectiveness:

  • Quality of product

Evaluate Value Added By Project

In the final stage of our business analyst case study, it is important to determine how effective and how the process of improving quality added to the profit levels of the business.

So, it was one of the business analyst case studies to explain real-world working and their requirements and strategies.

What is case study for business analyst?

Business case studies, either involves an ongoing issue or company’s success, an analysts have communicative tools to determine the right desicons for business. Plus they demonstrate higher value & competence.

How do you write a case study for a business analyst?

Steps to write a sase study analysis

  • Step 1: Investigate the Company’s History and Growth
  • Step 2: Identify Strengths and Weaknesses
  • Step 3: Examine the External Environment.
  • Step 4: Analyze Your Findings.
  • Step 5: Identify Corporate-Level Strategy.
  • Step 6: Identify Business-Level Strategy.
  • Step 7: Analyze Implementations.

What Does a Business Analyst Do?

Business analysts go by many other job titles, including:

  • Business Architect
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Business Systems Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Enterprise Analyst
  • Management Consultant
  • Process Analyst
  • Product Manager
  • Product Owner
  • Requirements Engineer
  • Systems Analyst

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Business Analyst Case Study | Free Case Study Template

LN Mishra, CBAP, CBDA, AAC & CCA

Business analyst case studies blog describes an actual business analyst case study. This provides real-world exposure to new business analysts.

In this blog, we will be discussing what is business analysis case study, why develop them, when to develop them and how to develop them. We will provide a real business case analysis case study for better understanding.

Let’s start with understanding what is business analysis before we go to analyst case studies.

Topics Below

What is a business analysis case study 

Why prepare business analysis case study 

When to prepare business analysis case study

How to prepare business analysis case study

Example Business Analysis Case Studies

What is Business Analysis Case Study?

Before we try to understand, Business Analysis Case Study, let's understand the term case study and business analysis.

As per Wikipedia, a case study is:

"A case study is an in-depth, detailed examination of a particular case (or cases) within a real-world context."

For example, case studies in medicine may focus on an individual patient or ailment; case studies in business might cover a particular firm's strategy or a broader market; similarly, case studies in politics can range from a narrow happening over time like the operations of a specific political campaign, to an enormous undertaking like, world war, or more often the policy analysis of real-world problems affecting multiple stakeholders.

So, we can define Business Analysis Case Study as

"A Business Analysis case study is an in-depth, detailed examination of a particular business analysis initiative."

What is Business Analysis?

The BABOK guide defines Business Analysis as the “Practice of enabling change in an enterprise by defining needs and recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders”. Business Analysis helps in finding and implementing changes needed to address key business needs, which are essentially problems and opportunities in front of the organization.

Business analysis can be performed at multiple levels, such as at:

  • The enterprise level, analyzing the complete business, and understanding which aspects of the business require changes.
  • The organization level, analyzing a part of the business, and understanding which aspects of the organization require changes.
  • The process level, analyzing a specific process, understanding which aspects of the process require changes.
  • The product level, analyzing a specific product, and understanding which aspects of the product require changes.  

Why Develop Business Analyst Case Study

Business analysis case studies can be useful for multiple purposes. One of the purpose can be to document business analysis project experiences which can be used in future by other business analysts.

This also can be used to showcase an organizations capabilities in the area of business analysis. For example, as Adaptive is a business analysis consulting organization, it develops multiple business analysis case studies which show cases the work done by Adaptive business analysts for the client. You can read one such case study for a manufacturing client .

When To Develop Business Analyst Case Study

Business analysis case studies are typically prepared after a project or initiative is completed. It is good to give a little time gap before we develop the case study because the impact of a change may take a little while after the change is implemented.

Most professionals prepare business analysis case studies for projects which are successful. But it is also important to remember that not all changes are going to be successful. There are definitely failures in an organizations project history.

It is also important to document the failure case studies because the failures can teach us about what not to do in future so that risks of failures are minimized.

How To Develop A Business Analyst Case Study

Document business problem / opportunity.

In this section of the business analyst case studies, we discuss the actual problem of the business case analysis example.

ABC Technologies has grown rapidly from being a tiny organization with less than 5 projects to one running 200 projects at the same time. The number of customer escalations has gone up significantly. Profitability is getting eroded over a period of time. Significant management time is spent in fire-fighting than improving the business.

Top management estimated a loss of 10% profitability due to poor management of projects which is estimated at about 10 Million USD per annum.

Document Problem / Opportunity Analysis

For our above business problem, we captured the following analysis details.

Discussions with key stakeholders revealed the following challenges in front of ABCT management:

  • There is very little visibility of project performances to top management
  • Non-standard project reporting by various projects makes it harder for top management to assess the correct health of the project
  • Practically there is no practice of identifying risks and mitigating them
  • Project practices are largely non-standardized. Few project managers do run their projects quite well because of their personal abilities, but most struggle to do so.
  • Due to rapid growth, management has no option but to assign project management responsibilities to staff with little or no project management experience.

Document Identified Solutions 

Based on root cause analysis, management decided to initiate a project to standardize management reporting. This required the organization to implement a project management system. The organization initially short-listed 10 project management tools. After comparing the business needs, tools, their costs, management decided to go with a specific tool.

Document Implementation Plan

The purchased tool lacked integration into the organizations existing systems. The vendor and organization’s IT team developed a project plan to integrate the new system with the existing systems.

Document Performance Improvements 

After a year, the effectiveness of the project was assessed. Projects showed remarkable improvement wrt reduced customer escalations, better on-time billing, and better risk management. The system also allowed the organization to bid for larger contracts as the prospective customers demanded such a system from their suppliers. The application was further enhanced to cater to the needs of other businesses in the enterprise as they were different legal entities, and their policies were different.

Document lessons learnt

Some of the key lessons learnt during this business analysis initiative were:

1. Stakeholder buy-in in extremely important to the success of the project

2. It is always better to go with iterative approach achieve smaller milestones and then go for larger milestones

BA Case Study template

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Business Analysis Case Study: Unlocking Growth Potential for a Company 

Have you ever wondered what are the necessary steps for conducting a Business Analyst Case Study? This blog will take you through the steps for conducting it.

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Table of Contents  

1) An overview of the Business Analysis Case Study 

2) Step 1: Understanding the company and its objectives 

3) Step 2: Gathering relevant data 

4) Step 3: Conducting SWOT analysis 

5) Step 4: Identifying key issues and prioritising 

6) Step 5: Analysing the root causes 

7) Step 6: Proposing solutions and developing an action plan 

8) Step 7: Monitoring and evaluation 

9) Conclusion 

An overview of the Business Analysis Case Study  

To kickstart our analysis, we will gain a deep understanding of the company's background, industry, and specific objectives. By examining the hypothetical company's objectives and aligning our analysis with its goals, we can lay the groundwork for a focused and targeted approach. This Business Analysis Case Study will demonstrate how the analysis process is pivotal in driving growth and overcoming obstacles that hinder success. 

Moving forward, we will navigate through various steps involved in the case study, including gathering relevant data, conducting a SWOT analysis, identifying key issues, analysing root causes, proposing solutions, and developing an action plan. By following this step-by-step approach, we can address the core challenges and devise actionable strategies that align with the company's objectives. 

The primary focus of this Business Analysis Case Study is to highlight the significance of Business Analysis in identifying key issues, evaluating potential growth opportunities, and developing effective solutions. Through a comprehensive examination of the hypothetical company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, we will gain valuable insights that drive informed decision-making. 

By the end of this Business Analysis Case Study, we aim to provide a holistic view of the analysis process, its benefits, and the transformative impact it can have on unlocking growth potential. Through real-world examples and practical solutions, we will showcase the power of Business Analysis in driving success and propelling companies towards achieving their goals. So, let's dive into the fascinating journey of this Business Analysis Case Study and explore the path to unlocking growth potential for our hypothetical company. 

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Step 1: Understanding the company and its objectives  

In this initial step, we need to gain a thorough understanding of the hypothetical company's background, industry, and specific objectives. Our hypothetical company, TechSolutions Ltd., is a software development firm aiming to expand its customer base and increase revenue by 20% within the next year. 

TechSolutions Ltd. operates in the dynamic software solutions market, catering to various industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. The company's primary objective is to leverage its technical expertise and establish itself as a leading provider of innovative software solutions. This objective sets the foundation for our analysis, enabling us to align our efforts with the company's goals. 

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Step 2: Gathering relevant data  

To conduct a comprehensive analysis, we need to gather relevant data pertaining to the company's operations, market trends, competitors, customer preferences, and financial performance. This data serves as a valuable resource to gain insights into the company's current position and identify growth opportunities. 

For our case study, TechSolutions Ltd. collects data on various aspects, including customer satisfaction levels, market penetration rates, and financial metrics such as revenue, costs, and profitability. Additionally, industry reports, market research, and competitor analysis provide insights into market trends, emerging technologies, and the competitive landscape. This data-driven approach ensures that our analysis is well-informed and grounded in reality. 

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Step 3: Conducting SWOT analysis  

A SWOT analysis is a powerful tool to assess the company's internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. By conducting a thorough SWOT analysis, we can gain valuable insights into the company's strategic position and identify factors that impact its growth potential. 

Conducting SWOT analysis

Step 4: Identifying key issues and prioritising  

Outdated Technology Infrastructure

In the case of TechSolutions Ltd., the analysis reveals two primary issues: an outdated technology infrastructure and limited marketing efforts. These issues are prioritised as they directly impact the company's ability to meet its growth objectives. By addressing these key issues, TechSolutions Ltd. can position itself for sustainable growth. 

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Step 5: Analysing the root causes  

To develop effective solutions, we must analyse the root causes behind the identified issues. This involves a detailed examination of internal processes, conducting interviews with key stakeholders, and exploring market dynamics. By identifying the underlying factors contributing to the issues, we can tailor our solutions to address them at their core. 

In the case of TechSolutions Ltd., the analysis reveals that the outdated technology infrastructure is primarily due to budget constraints and a lack of awareness about the latest software solutions. Limited marketing efforts arise from a shortage of skilled personnel and inadequate allocation of resources. 

Understanding these root causes provides valuable insights for developing targeted and impactful solutions. 

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Step 6: Proposing solutions and developing an action plan  

Action Plan

For TechSolutions Ltd., the following solutions are proposed: 

a) Allocate a portion of the budget for technology upgrades and training: TechSolutions Ltd. should allocate a dedicated portion of its budget to upgrade its technology infrastructure and invest in training its employees on the latest software tools and technologies. This will ensure that the company remains competitive and can deliver cutting-edge solutions to its customers. 

b) Hire a dedicated marketing team and allocate resources for targeted campaigns: To overcome the limited marketing efforts, TechSolutions Ltd. should invest in building a skilled and dedicated marketing team. This team will focus on developing comprehensive marketing strategies, leveraging digital platforms, and conducting targeted campaigns to reach potential customers effectively. 

c) Strengthen partnerships with industry influencers: Collaborating with industry influencers can significantly enhance TechSolutions Ltd.'s brand visibility and credibility. By identifying key industry influencers and forming strategic partnerships, the company can tap into their existing networks and gain access to a wider customer base. 

d) Implement a customer feedback system: To enhance product quality and meet customer expectations, TechSolutions Ltd. should establish a robust customer feedback system. This system will enable the company to gather valuable insights, identify areas for improvement, and promptly address any customer concerns or suggestions. Regular feedback loops will foster customer loyalty and drive business growth. 

The proposed solutions are outlined in a detailed action plan, specifying the timeline, responsible individuals, and measurable milestones for each solution. Regular progress updates and performance evaluations ensure that the solutions are effectively implemented and deliver the desired outcomes. 

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Step 7: Monitoring and evaluation  

Monitoring and evaluation

Conclusion  

In this detailed Business Analysis Case Study, we explored the challenges faced by a hypothetical company, TechSolutions Ltd., and proposed comprehensive solutions to unlock its growth potential. By following a systematic analysis process, which includes understanding the company's objectives, conducting a SWOT analysis, identifying key issues, analysing root causes, proposing solutions, and monitoring progress, businesses can effectively address their challenges and drive success. 

Business Analysis plays a vital role in identifying areas for improvement and implementing strategic initiatives. By leveraging data-driven insights and taking proactive measures, companies can navigate competitive landscapes, overcome obstacles, and achieve their growth objectives. With careful analysis and targeted solutions, TechSolutions Ltd. is poised to unlock its growth potential and establish itself as a leading software development firm in the industry. By implementing the proposed solutions and continuously monitoring their progress, the company will be well-positioned for long-term success and sustainable growth. 

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  • Nitin Nohria

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Seven meta-skills that stick even if the cases fade from memory.

It’s been 100 years since Harvard Business School began using the case study method. Beyond teaching specific subject matter, the case study method excels in instilling meta-skills in students. This article explains the importance of seven such skills: preparation, discernment, bias recognition, judgement, collaboration, curiosity, and self-confidence.

During my decade as dean of Harvard Business School, I spent hundreds of hours talking with our alumni. To enliven these conversations, I relied on a favorite question: “What was the most important thing you learned from your time in our MBA program?”

  • Nitin Nohria is the George F. Baker Jr. Professor at Harvard Business School and the former dean of HBS.

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Business Strategy Examples In 2024: Examples, Case Studies, And Tools

A business strategy is a deliberate plan that helps a business to achieve a long-term vision and mission by drafting a business model to execute that business strategy. A business strategy, in most cases, doesn’t follow a linear path, and execution will help shape it along the way.

Table of Contents

What is a business strategy?

At this stage, it is important to clarify a few critical aspects.

As an HBR working paper entitled “From Strategy to Business Models and to Tactics” pointed out:

Put succinctly, business model refers to the logic of the firm, the way it operates and how it creates value for its stakeholders. Strategy refers to the choice of business model through which the firm will compete in the marketplace. Tactics refers to the residual choices open to a firm by virtue of the business model that it employs.

Personally, I have a controversial relationship with the concept of “strategy.” I feel it’s too easy to make it foggy and empty of practical meaning.

Yet strategy and vision matter in business.

A strategy isn’t just a calculated path, but often a philosophical choice about how the world works.

Usually, it takes years and, at times, also decades for a strategy to become viable. And once it does become viable, it seems obvious only in hindsight.

In this guide, we see what that means.  

In the real world, the difficult part is understanding the problem

bounded-rationality

In the real world, a lot of time and resources are spent on defining the problem.

Classic case studies at business school assume in most scenarios that the problem is known and the solution needs to be found.

In the real world, the problem is unknown, the situation is highly ambiguous, and the most difficult part is making the decision that might solve that same problem you’re trying to figure out. 

How do you execute a strategy in that context? Business modeling can help!

Is a business strategy the same thing as a business model?

business-model-vs-business-strategy

As the business world started to change dramatically, again, by the early 2000s, also the concept of strategy changed with it. 

In the previous era, the strategy was primarily made of locking in the supply chain to guarantee a strong distribution toward the marketplace. 

And yet, the web enabled new companies to form with a bottom-up approach.

In short, product development cycles shortened, and frameworks like lean , agile , and continuous innovation became integrated into a world where software took over. 

Where most of the processes before the digital age, were physical in nature. As the web took off, most of the processes became digital.

In short, the software would become the core enhancer of hardware. 

We’ve seen how in cases like Apple’s iPhone , it wasn’t just the hardware that made the difference.

But it was the development ecosystem and the applications that enhanced the capabilities of the device. 

Thus, from a product standpoint, hardware has been enhanced more and more with the software side.

At the same time, the way companies developed products in the first place changed. 

Software and digits-based companies could gather feedback early on, thus enabling the customers’ feedback as a key element of the whole product development cycle. 

Therefore, wherein the previous era, companies spent billions of budgets to release markets, and products, with little customer feedback.

In the digital era, customer feedback became built into the product development loop. 

That led to frameworks with faster and faster product releases, which also changed the way we do marketing . 

minimum-viable-product

In a classic MVP approach, the loop (build, measure, learn) has to be very quick, and it has to lead to the so-called product/market fit .

As the web made the ability to gather customers’ feedback early on, and as the whole process becomes less and less expensive, also lean approaches evolved, to gain feedback from customers as early as possible. 

running-lean-ash-maurya

From build > demo > sell, to demo > sell > build , lean approaches got leaner. 

And the era of customer-centrism and customer obsession developed:

customer-obsession

This whole change flipped the strategy world upside down.

And from elaborate business plans , we moved to business modeling , as an experimental tool, that enabled entrepreneurs to gather feedback continuously.

In a customer-centered business world, business models have become effective thinking tools, to represent a business and a business strategy on a single page, which helped the whole execution process. 

The key building blocks of a classic business model approach, like a business model canvas or lean startup canvas  move around the concept of value proposition , that glue them together. 

And from the supply chain , we moved to customer value chains .

Where most digital business models  learned to gather customers’ feedback in multiple ways. 

The business strategy formed in the digital era, therefore, developed its own customer-centered view of the world, and the business theory world followed.

Academics, following practitioners, moved away from traditional models (like Porter’s Five Forces ) to more customer-centered approaches ( business model canvas , lean canvas).  

The mindset shift flipped from distribution and optimization on the supply side.

To optimize on the demand side, or how to build products that people want, in the first place. This is the new mantra.

No more grandiose business plans, just substantial testing, iteration, and experimentation. 

In this new context, we can understand the strategy developed by several players and how business modeling has become the most important strategy tool. 

And the interesting part is, whether you want to scale to become a tech giant, or you just want to build a small, viable business, it all starts from the same place!

minimum-viable-audience

Is business strategy a science?

Business strategy is more of an art than a science.

In short, a business strategy starts with a series of assumptions about how the business world looks in a certain period of time and for a certain target of people.

Whether those assumptions will turn out to be successful will highly depend on several factors.

For instance, back in the late 1990s when the web took over, new startups came up with the idea of revolutionizing many services.

While those ideas seemed to make sense, they turned out to be completely off, and many of those startups failed in what would be recognized as a dot-com bubble.

While in hindsight certain aspects of that bubble came up (like frauds, or schemes).

In general, some of the ideas for which startups got financed seemed to be visionary and turned out to work a decade later (see DoorDash , or Instacart , in relation to Webvan’s bankruptcy). 

For instance, some startups tried to bring on-demand streaming to the web (which today we call Netflix ). Those ideas proved to be too early.

They made sense but from the commercial standpoint, they didn’t.

Thus, if we were to use the scientific method, once those assumptions would have proved wrong in the real world, we would have discarded them.

However, those assumptions proved to be wrong, in that time period, given the current circumstances.

While we can use the scientific inquiry process in business strategy, it’s hard to say that it is a scientific discipline.

So what’s the use of business strategy?

In my opinion, business strategy is useful for three main reasons:

  • Focus : chose one path over another.
  • Vision : have a long-term strategic goal.
  • Commercial viability : create a self-sustainable business.

As a practitioner, someone who tries to build successful businesses, I don’t need to be “scientific.”

I need to make sure not to be completely off track. For that matter, I aim at creating businesses.

Thus, I need to understand where to focus my attention in a relatively long period of time (3-5 years at least) and make sure that those ideas I pursue are able to generate profits, which – in my opinion – might be a valid indicator that those ideas are correct for the time being.

If those conditions are met, I’ll call it a “successful business.”

Those ideas will become a business model , that executes a business strategy.

This doesn’t mean those ideas, turned into a business model , pushed into the world will always be successful (profitable).

As the marketplace evolves I will need to adjust, and tweak a business model to fit with the new evolving scenarios, and I’ll need to be able to “bet” on new possible business models .

Survivorship bias

Survivorship bias is a phenomenon where what’s not visible (because extinct) isn’t taken into account when analyzing the past.

In short, we analyze the past based on what’s visible.

This error happens in any field, and in business, we might get fooled by that as well.

In short, when we analyze the past we do that in hindsight.

That makes us cherry-pick the things that survived and assume that those carry the successful characteristics we’re looking for.

For instance, for each Amazon or Google that survived there were hundreds if not thousands of companies that failed, with the same kind of “successful features” as Amazon or Google.  

So why do we analyze successful companies in the first place? In my opinion, there are several reasons: 

  • Those successful companies have turned into Super Gatekeepers to billions of people : as I showed in the gatekeeping hypothesis , and in the surfer’s model , a go-to-market strategy for startups will need to be able to leverage existing digital pipelines to reach key customers.

gatekeepers-model

  • Modeling and experimentation : another key point is about modeling what’s working for other businesses and borrowing parts of those models, to see what works for our business. By borrowing parts you can build your own business model, yet that requires a lot of testing. 

Business-Model-Experimentation

  • Skin in the game testing : therefore business models become key tools for experimentation, where we can use real customers’ feedback (not a survey, or opinions but actions) and test our hypotheses and assumptions. When we’re able to sell our products, when people keep getting back to our platform, or service, there is no best way to test our assumptions that measure those actions. 

Lindy effect and aging in reverse

lindy-effect

Nicholas Nassim Taleb , in his book Antifragile , popularized a concept called Lindy Effect .

In very simple terms the Lindy Effect states that in technology (like any other field where the object of discussion is  non-perishable)  things age in reverse.

Thus, life expectancy, rather than diminishing with age, has a longer life expectancy.

Therefore, a technology that has lived for two thousand years, has a life expectancy of another thousand years.

That is a probabilistic rule of thumb that works on averages.

Thus, if a technology (say the Internet) has stayed with us for twenty years, it doesn’t mean we can expect only to live for another twenty years at least.

But as the Internet has proved successful already, the Lindy Effect might not apply.

In short, as we have additional information about a phenomenon the Lindy Effect might lose relevance.

For instance, if I know a person is twenty, yet sick of a terminal disease, I can’t expect to use normal life expectancy tables.

So I’ll have to apply that information to understand the future.

Strategies take years to fully roll out

It was 2006, when Tesla, with his co-founder   Martin Eberhard , launched a sports car that broke down the trade-off between high performance and fuel efficiency.

Tesla, which for a few years had been building up an electric sports car ready to be marketed, finally pulled it off.

As Elon Musk would   explain   Back in 2012:  

In 2006 our plan was to build an electric sports car followed by an affordable electric sedan, and reduce our dependence on oil…delivering Model S is a key part of that plan and represents Tesla’s transition to a mass-production automaker and the most compelling car company of the 21st century.

tesla-market-entry-strategy

The beauty of a strategy that turns into a successful company, is that it might take years to roll out and seem obvious only in hindsight. 

This connects to what I like to call the transitional business model.

Or the idea, that many companies, before getting into a fully rolled out business strategy, transition through a period of low scalability and low market size, which will help them gain initial traction. 

transitional-business-models

As a transitional business model proves viable, it helps the company shape its long-term vision, while its built-in strategy is different from the long-term strategy.

The transitional business model will guarantee survival. It will help further refine the long-term strategy and it will also work as a reality check. 

As the transitional business model proves viable, the company moves to its long-term strategy execution. 

As the business strategy gets rolled out, over the years, it becomes evident and obvious, and yet none managed to pull it off.

netflix-market-expansion

When Netflix moved from DVD rental to streaming. DVD rental was the transitional business model that helped Netflix stay in business in the first place.

And yet, when Netflix moved from DVD to streaming it had to apparently change its strategy.

When, in reality, it was rolling out its long-term strategy, shaped by the transitional business model. 

Caveat: Frameworks work until suddenly they don’t

When you stumbled upon a “business formula,” you can’t stop there.

That business formula, if you’re lucky, will allow you to succeed in the long term. Yet as more and more people will find that out, that will lose relevance.

And the matter is, the reality is a villain. Things work for years until they suddenly don’t work anymore.

We’ll see some frameworks, but the real deal is not a framework but the inquiry process that makes us discover those frameworks.

In short, the value is in the repeatable process of discovery and not in the discovery itself. A discovery, once spread, loses value.

Master a business strategy process

There isn’t a size-fits-all business playbook that you can apply to all the scenarios.

Some of the business case studies we’ll see throughout this article will show companies that have dominated the tech space in the last decade and more.

While the playbook executed by those companies worked for the time being.

That doesn’t mean you should play according to their playbook. If at all you’ll need to figure out your own.

Thus, what matters is the process behind finding your business playbook and my hope is that this guide will inspire you and give you some good ideas on how to develop your own business strategy process!

Business strategy case studies

business-strategy-examples

We’ll look now at a few case studies of companies that, at the time of this writing, are playing an important role in the business world.

  • Alibaba Business Strategy.
  • Amazon Business Strategy.
  • Apple Business Strategy.
  • Airbnb Business Strategy.
  • Baidu Business Strategy.
  • Booking Business Strategy.
  • DuckDuckGo Business Strategy.
  • Google (Alphabet) Business Strategy.

What is a business model’s essence?

Keeping in mind the distinction between business strategy and business models is critical.

The other element used in this guide is a business model essence.

Shortly, I’ve been looking for a way to summarize the key elements of any business in a couple of lines of text:

business-model-essence

Therefore, for the sake of this discussion, you’ll find each company’s business strategy, a business model essence that will help us navigate through the noisy business world.

From there, we’ll see the business strategy of a company.

Alibaba Business Strategy

Business Model Essence : Online Stores Leveraging On An E-Commerce/Marketplace Distribution And Monetization Strategy  

As pointed out in Alibaba’s annual report for 2017:

We derive revenue from our four business segments: core commerce, cloud computing, digital media and entertainment, and innovation initiatives and others. We derive most of our revenue from our core commerce segment, which accounted for 85% of our total revenue in fiscal year 2017, while cloud computing, digital media and entertainment, and innovation initiatives and others contributed 4%, 9% and 2%, respectively. We derive a substantial majority of our core commerce revenue from online marketing services. 

Alibaba, like Amazon , became an “everything store” in China.

It leveraged its success to build also other media platforms ( Youku Todou and UCWeb). The e-commerce, marketplace business model has become quite common since the dawn of the web.

From that business model tech giants like Amazon , eBay and Alibaba have raised.

alibaba-business-model

Alibaba’s vision, mission, and core principles

Alibaba’s Business Strategy starts from its core values defined in its annual report:

  • Customer First : “The interests of our community of consumers, merchants, and enterprises must be our first”
  • Teamwork: “ We believe teamwork enables ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things.”
  • Embrace Change   I”n this fast-changing world, we must be flexible, innovative, and ready to adapt to new business conditions in order to maintain sustainability and vitality in our business.”
  • Integrity “We expect our people to uphold the highest standards of honesty and to deliver on their commitments.”
  • Passion “We expect our people to approach everything with fire in their belly and never give up on doing what they believe is right.”
  • Commitment  “Employees who demonstrate perseverance and excellence are richly rewarded. Nothing should be taken for granted as we encourage our people to “work happily and live seriously.”

Alibaba’s mission is “ to make it easy to do business anywhere, ” and its vision is “to build the future infrastructure of commerce… a company that would last at least 102 years.”

For that vision to be executed it has three major stakeholders: users, consumers, and merchants.

The focus on the “at least 102 years” might seem fluffy words, yet those are important as this kind of goal helps you keep a long-term vision while executing short-term plans.

It isn’t unusual for founders to set such visions, as they help keep the company on track in the long run.

And this is where a business strategy starts.

All the business models designed by Alibaba will follow its vision, mission, and values they aim to create in the long run.

Read : Alibaba Business Model

Alibaba ecosystem and value proposition

These elements gave rise to an ecosystem made of “consumers, merchants, brands, retailers, other businesses, third-party service providers and strategic alliance partners.”

As Alibaba points out in its annual report “our ecosystem has strong self-reinforcing network effects benefitting its various participants, who are in turn invested in our ecosystem’s growth and success.”

Network effects are a critical ingredient for marketplaces’ success.

To give you an idea, the more buyers join the platform, the more Alibaba’s recommendation engine will be able to suggest relevant items to buy for other customers, and at the same time the more merchants will join in, given the larger and larger business opportunities.

Keeping these network effects going is a vital element of long-term success but also among the greatest challenge of any marketplace that wants to be relevant.

Even though Alibaba’s essence is in online commerce, the company has several business model s running and a business strategy that at its core is evolving quickly.

alibaba-brands

Thus, the core commerce has made it possible for Alibaba to build a whole new set of “companies within a company.”

From digital entertainment and media, logistics services, payment, financial services, and cloud services with Alibaba Cloud.

Thus, from a successful existing online business model , Alibaba has expanded in many other areas.

And its future business strategy focuses on developing, nurturing, and growing its ecosystem.

More precisely, its strategic long-term goal is to “serve two billion consumers around the world and support ten million businesses to operate profitably on its platforms”

To achieve that Alibaba is focusing on three key activities:

  • Globalization.
  • Rural expansion.
  • And big data and cloud computing.

For its core commerce activities, Alibaba has designed a value proposition that moves around a few pillars:

  • Broad selection: over 1.5 billion listings as of March 31, 2018.
  • Convenience:  seamless experience anytime, anywhere from online and offline.
  • Engaging, personalized experience: personalized shopping recommendations and opportunities for social engagement.
  • Value for money: competitive prices offered via a marketplace business model.
  • Merchant quality: review and rating system to keep merchants’ quality high.
  • Authentic products: merchant quality ratings, clear refund, and return policies, and the Alipay escrow system.

From that value proposition , Alibaba has been able to grow its customer base and offer wider and broader products, until it expanded in the service and cloud business.

Amazon Business Strategy

amazon-case-study

Business Model Essence : E-Commerce/Marketplace Distribution And Monetization Model Leveraging On Proprietary Infrastructure To Offer Third-Party Services

Starting in 1994 as a bookstore, Amazon soon expanded and became the everything store.

While the company’s core business model is based on its online store.

Amazon launched its physical stores, which generated already over five billion dollars in revenues in 2017.

Amazon Prime (a subscription service) also plays a crucial role in Amazon’s overall business model , as it makes customers spend more and be more loyal to the platform. 

Besides, the company also has its cloud infrastructure called AWS, which is a world leader and a business with high margins. Amazon also has an advertising business worth a few billion dollars.

Thus, the Amazon business model mix looks like many companies in one. Amazon measures its success via a customer experience obsession, lowering prices, stable tech infrastructure, and free cash flow generation.

amazon-business-model

Therefore, even though in the minds of most people Amazon is the “everything store.”

In reality, its revenue generation shows us that it has become a way more complex organization, that also has a good chunk of advertising revenue and third-party services.

For instance, Amazon is also a key player with its AWS in the cloud space.

aws-vs-azure

And is well a key player in the digital advertising space, together with Google and Facebook :

advertising-industry

Amazon has been widely investing in its technological infrastructure since the 2000s, which eventually turned into a key component of its business model .

Read : Amazon Business Model

Amazon’s vision, mission, and core values

amazon-vision-statement-mission-statement (1)

Jeff Bezos is obsessed with being in “day one,” which as he puts it , “ day 2 is stasis. Followed by irrelevance. Followed by excruciating, painful decline. Followed by death. And that is why it is always  Day 1. “

It all starts from there, and to achieve that Jeff Bezos has highlighted a few core values that makeup Amazon ‘s culture and vision :

  • Customer obsession.
  • Resist proxies.
  • Embrace external trends.
  • High-velocity decision-making.

As pointed out by Amazon , “w hen Amazon.com launched in 1995, it was with the mission “ to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. ” 

This goal continues today, but Amazon ’s customers are worldwide now and have grown to include millions of Consumers, Sellers, Content Creators, and Developers & Enterprises.

Each of these groups has different needs, and we always work to meet those needs, innovating new solutions to make things easier, faster, better, and more cost-effective.”

In this case, Amazon ‘s mission also sounds like a vision statement.

Whatever you want to call it, this input is what makes a company look for long-term goals that keep them on track.

Of course, that doesn’t mean a well-crafted vision and mission statement is all that matters for business success.

Yet, it is what keeps you going when things seem to go awry.

Amazon moved from an online book store to the A-to-Z store it kept its mission almost intact while scaling up.

Start from a proof of concept, then scale up

It is interesting to notice how businesses evolve based on their commercial ability to scale up.

When Amazon started up as a bookstore, it made sense for several reasons, that spanned from logistics to pricing modes and industry specifics.

Yet, when Amazon finally proved that the whole web thing could be commercially viable, it didn’t wait, it grew rapidly.

From music to anything else it didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen quickly.

Thus, this is how Amazon’s mission shifted from “any book in the world” to “anything from A-Z.”

This isn’t a size-fits-all strategy. Amazon chose rapid growth, similar to a blitzscaling process as aggressive growth was a way to preserve itself.

Hadn’t Amazon grown so quickly, it could have been killed.

The opposite approach to this kind of strategy is a bootstrapped business, which is profitable right away and self-sustainable.

Decentralized and distributed value creation: the era of platforms and ecosystems

Before we move forward, I want to highlight a few key elements to have a deeper understanding of both Amazon and Alibaba’s business models and their strategies.

Before digitalization would show its use and commercial viability, most of the value creation processes were internalized.

That meant companies had to employ massive resources to generate value along that chain.

That changed when digitalization allowed the value creation process to be distributed, and we moved from centralized to grassroots content creation.

This is even clearer in the case of platforms, and marketplaces like Amazon and Alibaba.

For instance, where in the past the review process and quality insurance would be done centrally by making sure that the supply complied with the company’s quality guidelines.

Introducing distributed review systems, where the end-users checked against the quality compliance, allowed companies like Alibaba and Amazon to generate network effects, where the more users enriched the platforms with those reviews the more the platform could become valuable.

For that matter though, the main platform’s role will be to fight spam and attempt to trick the system.

Other than that (fighting spam is a challenging task) all the rest is managed at the decentralized level, and the value creation happens when more and more users review products and services on those platforms.

We’re referring here to the review system, but it applies almost to any aspect of a platform.

Amazon for years allowed third-party to feature their stores on Amazon ‘s platform, while they kept the inventory.

This meant an outsourced and distributed inventory system, spread across the supply side.

Therefore, the supply side not only made the platform more valuable by creating compelling offerings.

But it also made it more valuable from the operational standpoint, by allowing a better inventory system, which could be turned quickly.

Therefore, the critical aspect to understand in the digital era is decentralized value creation, which makes the value creation process less expensive for an organization, more valuable to its end users, and more scalable as it benefits from network effects.

How do decentralize value creation?

Many platform-like business models have leveraged a few aspects:

  • User-generated content (Quora, Facebook , Instagram).
  • Distributed inventory systems ( Amazon , Alibaba).
  • Peer-to-peer networks ( Airbnb , Uber).

This implies a paradigm shift.

When you start thinking in terms of platforms, no longer you’ll need a plethora of people taking care of each aspect of it.

Rather you’ll need to understand how the value creation can be outsourced to a community of people and make sure the platform is on top of its game in a few aspects.

For instance, Amazon and Alibaba have to make sure their review system isn’t gamed. Airbnb has to make sure to be able to guarantee safety in the interactions from host to guests and vice-versa.

Quora has to make sure to keep its question machine to keep generating relevant questions for users to answer (the supply-side).

If you grasp this element of a platform, you’re on a good track to understanding how to build a successful platform or marketplace.

Apple Business Strategy

Business Model Label : Product-Based Company Leveraging On Locked-In Ecosystems With A Reversed Razor And Blade Business Strategy

Apple sells its products and resells third-party products in most of its major markets directly to consumers and small and mid-sized businesses through its retail and online stores and its direct sales force.

The Company also employs a variety of indirect distribution channels , such as third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and value-added resellers.

During 2017, the Company’s net sales through its direct and indirect distribution channels accounted for 28% and 72%, respectively, of total net sales.

Many people look at the iPhone, or the previous products Apple has launched successfully in the last decade and assume that their success is due to those products.

In reality, Apple has followed throughout the years a strategy that focused on five key elements:

  • Strong branding.
  • Beautifully crafted products.
  • Technological innovation.
  • Strong distribution.
  • Locked-in ecosystems.

In short, Apple can sell an iPhone at a premium price because it employs a reversed razor and blade strategy.

This strategy implies free access to Apple’s Ecosystem (ex. iTunes, and Apple Store).

That makes the whole experience through Apple’s devices extremely valuable.

Thanks to that experience, the perception of high-end (luxury-like) products, together with a reliable distribution, justifies Apple’s premium prices.

apple-business-model

Apple’s managed to build a business platform on top of the iPhone, thus creating a strong competitive moat, which lasts to these days:

evolution-of-apple-sales

Therefore, Apple’s future success can’t be measured with the same lenses as the last decade.

The real question is: what product will Apple  be able to launch successfully?

And keep in mind it’s not just about the product. Apple’s formula summarized above can be replicated over and over again.

But it isn’t a simple formula. And as locked-in ecosystems, in which Apple controls as much as possible, the experience of its users has proved quite successful in the last decade.

That might not be so in the next, given the rise of more decentralized infrastructure.

For that matter, Amazon might be well moving from a reversed razor and blade model:

amazon-razor-blade-business-model

To a service-based model:

apple-revenues

This isn’t surprising, as a service business has a few compelling advantages:

  • High margins.
  • A relatively stable revenue stream.
  • Scalability.

As Apple has relied on home runs with its products, from the new Mac to the iPod, iPhone, and iPhones, that kind of success isn’t easy to replicate, and it makes the company relies on a continuous stream of fresh sales to keep the business growing.

A service business would balance things out.

It is important to remark this isn’t something new to Apple :

iphone-sales-2007-09

When Apple introduced the iPhone, it isn’t like it was an overnight success. It was successful, but it had to create a whole ecosystem to make the iPhone a continuous source of growth for the company!

When it comes to business strategy, as pointed out in Apple’s annual reports:

The Company is committed to bringing the best user experience to its customers through its innovative hardware, software and services. The Company’s business strategy leverages its unique ability to design and develop its own operating systems, hardware, application software and services to provide its customers products and solutions with innovative design, superior ease-of-use and seamless integration.

Understanding this part is critical. As I explained above, at the time of this writing many think of Apple as the “iPhone company.”

Yet Apple is way more than that, and its business strategy is a mixture of creating ecosystems by leveraging on these pillars:

  • Operating systems.
  • Applications software.
  • Innovative design.
  • Ease-of-use.
  • Seamless Integration.

Those elements together make Apple ‘s products successful. As Apple further explained:

As part of its strategy, the Company continues to expand its platform for the discovery and delivery of digital content and applications through its Digital Content and Services, which allows customers to discover and download or stream digital content, iOS, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV applications, and books through either a Mac or Windows personal computer or through iPhone, iPad and iPod touch® devices (“iOS devices”), Apple TV, Apple Watch and HomePod.

Once again, it isn’t anymore about creating a product, but about generating self-serve ecosystems.

How do you support those ecosystems?

It depends on what’s your target. A media company will primarily need an ecosystem made of content creators (take Quora or Facebook or YouTube ).

In many cases, a digital media company over time has to be able to nurture several communities to create a thriving ecosystem.

For instance, large tech companies or startups, often rely on several communities:

  • Programmers and developers ( Google , Apple ).
  • Content creators and publishers ( Google , Quora, YouTube ).
  • Artists and creative talents ( Apple , YouTube ).

In Apple ‘s case though, the first ecosystem is the community of developers building third-party software products that complement the company’s offering:

The Company also supports a community for the development of third-party software and hardware products and digital content that complement the Company’s offerings.

When you combine that with a high-touch strategy (where skilled and knowledgeable salespeople interact with customers) you create a flywheel, where customers are retained for longer, the brand grows as a result of this high-touch activity which creates a better post-sale experience and triggers word of mouth and referral from existing customers:

The Company believes a high-quality buying experience with knowledgeable salespersons who can convey the value of the Company’s products and services greatly enhances its ability to attract and retain customers.Therefore, the Company’s strategy also includes building and expanding its own retail and online stores and its third-party distribution network to effectively reach more customers and provide them with a high-quality sales and post-sales support experience.The Company believes ongoing investment in research and development (“R&D”), marketing and advertising is critical to the development and sale of innovative products, services and technologies.

Read : Apple Business Model

Airbnb Business Strategy

Business Model Essence : Peer-To-Peer House-Sharing Network With Fee-Based Monetization Strategy

As a peer-to-peer network, Airbnb allows individuals to rent from private owners for a fee.

Airbnb charges guests a service fee between 5% and 15% of the reservation subtotal; While the commission from hosts is generally 3%.

Airbnb also charges hosts who offer experiences a 20% service fee on the total price.

The digitalization that happened in the last two decades has facilitated the creation of peer-to-peer platforms in which business models disrupted the hospitality model created in the previous century by hotel chains like Marriott, Holiday Inn, and Hilton.

airbnb-business-model

Airbnb is quickly branching out toward offering more experiences. We can call Airbnb the “marketplace of experiences.”

In short, just like Amazon started from books, Airbnb has started from house-sharing.

But that is the starting point, which gives the innovative company enough traction to validate its whole business model and expand to other areas.

The principal aim of Airbnb is to control the whole experience for its users. This means creating an end-to-end travel experience that embraces the entire process .

Thus, it’s not surprising that we’ll see Airbnb expanding its marketplace to more and more areas. This is also shown by the fact that Airbnb might soon offer bundled travel packages .

Just as we’ve seen in the case of Alibaba and Amazon , Airbnb follows a marketplace logic, where it needs to make the interactions between its key users (hosts and guests) as smooth as possible, with an emphasis on safety.

As a platform, Airbnb initially used a strategy of improving the quality of its supply by employing freelance photographers that could take pictures of host homes.

This, in turn, made those homes more interesting for guests, as they could appreciate those homes more.

As many people in real estate might know, the quality of the pictures is critical.

Although this might sound trivial, this is what improved the Airbnb supply side.

Indeed with better and professionally taken images, Airbnb improved its reach via search engines (yes, search engines are thirsty for fresh and original content, images comprised).

And it enhanced the experience of its potential customers.

Now Airbnb is converting its business model to digital experiences. In addition to changing the whole strategy.

Whereas Airbnb focused in the past on covering major cities across the world.

Changing travel habits made Airbnb focus on digital experiences and local, extra-metropolitan areas throughout the pandemic.

While, post-pandemic, as people travel for longer stays, the whole platform has been structured around these. 

airbnb-statistics

Read : Airbnb Business Model

Baidu Business Strategy

Business Model Essence :  Online Marketing Free Services Advertising-Supported Revenue Model

Baidu makes money primarily via online marketing services (advertising). In fact, in 2017, Baidu made about $11.24 in online marketing services and a remaining almost $1.8 billion through other sources. According to Statista,

Baidu has an overall search market share of 73.8% of the Chinese market. Other sources of revenues comprise membership services of iQIYI (an innovative market-leading online entertainment service provider in China) and financial services.

baidu-traffic-acquisition-strategy

At first sight, Baidu might seem the mirror image of Google , but in China.

However, this is a superficial view. While Baidu has followed in China a similar path to Google , it did take advantage of the fact that Google wasn’t available there, to build its dominant position.

Baidu also has a more efficient cost structure than Google. It had also introduced innovations in its search products (like voice search devices for kids) at a time when Google wasn’t there yet.

Read : Baidu Business Model

Baidu mission: two-pillar business strategy and value propositions acting as a glue for its key users/customers

In the past years, Baidu has followed an expansion business strategy focused on acquiring assets and companies that complemented its core business model .

As the leading Chinese search provider, in 2017, Baidu updated its mission to “ Baidu aims to make a complex world simpler through technology.”

This mission is achieved via a two-pillar strategy:

  • Strengthening the mobile foundation (similar to Google’s mobile-first).
  • And leading in artificial intelligence.

Baidu’s key partners comprise users, customers, Baidu union members, and content providers.

For each of those critical segments, Baidu has drafted a fundamental value proposition .

Thus, to generate a value chain that works for these stakeholders, Baidu has to balance it with a diversified value proposition :

  • Users:  enjoying Baidu search experience want a search engine that gives them relevant results.
  • Customers: with 775,000 active online marketing customers in 2017, consisting of SMEs, large domestic businesses, and multinational companies, distributed across retail and e-commerce, network service, medical and healthcare, franchise investment, financial services, education, online games, transportation, construction and decoration, and business services. Those businesses look for a trackable, and sustainable ROI for their paid advertising campaigns. By bidding on keywords, they can target specific audiences.
  • Baidu Union Member: share revenues with Baidy by displaying banner ads on their sites in relevant spaces filled by the  Baidu search algorithm (think of it as Google’s AdSense Network ). Those publishers and sites can generate additional revenues and monetize their content without relying on complex infrastructure, that instead is employed by Baidu.
  • Content Providers:  video copyright holders, app owners who list their apps on the Baidu app store, users who contribute their valuable and copyrighted content to Baidu products, and publishers. Those users get visibility or money in exchange for this content. Baidu has to make sure to allow those content providers to get in exchange for their work and creativity visibility and revenues.

Understanding how the value proposition for each player comes together is critical to understanding the business decisions a company like Baidu makes over time.

For instance, as Baidu (like Google ) moves more and more toward AI, the need to balance the value proposition for Baidu Union Members might fickle.

Booking Business Strategy

Business Model Essence :  House-Sharing Platform Leveraging On A Two-Sided Marketplace With A Commission-Based Revenue Model

Booking Holdings is the company that controls six main brands that comprise Booking.com, priceline.com, KAYAK, agoda.com, Rentalcars.com, and OpenTable. 

Over 76% of the company’s revenues in 2017 came primarily via travel reservations commissions and travel insurance fees.

Almost 17% came from merchant fees, and the remaining revenues came from advertising earned via KAYAK.

As a distribution strategy, the company spent over $4.5 billion on performance-based and brand advertising.

booking-business-model

Read : Booking Business Model

Booking mission, value proposition, and key players

Booking’s mission is to “help people experience the world.” Booking does that via a few primary brands:

  • Booking.com.
  • priceline.com.
  • Rentalcars.com.

The mission of helping people experience the world is executed via three primary value propositions delivered to consumers, travelers, and business partners:

  • Consumers are provided what Booking calls “the best choices and prices at any time, in any place, on any device.”
  • People and travelers can easily find, book, and experience their travel desires.
  • Business partners (like Hotels featured on Booking.com) are provided with platforms, tools, and insights in exchange.

Boomedium-term term strategy is focused on:

  • Leveraging technology to provide the best experience.
  • Growing partnerships with travel service providers and restaurants.
  • Investing in profitable and sustainable growth.

DuckDuckGo Business Strategy

Business Model Essence : Privacy-based Search Engine Built On Google’s Weakness With An affiliate-based Revenue Model

DuckDuckGo makes money in two simple ways: Advertising and Affiliate Marketing.

Advertising is shown based on the keywords typed into the search box. Affiliate revenues come from Amazon and eBay affiliate programs.

When users buy after getting on those sites through DuckDuckGo the company collects a small commission.

duckduckgo-business-model

While this model might not sound that exciting. DuckDuckGo managed to grow quickly by leveraging Google’s primary weakness: users’ privacy. Where Google’s primary asset is made of users’ data. DuckDuckGo throws that data away on the fly:

It is important to remark that DuckDuckGo is still figuring out a business model that can make it sustainable in the long term.

Indeed, the company got a venture round of $10 million back in August 2018.

DuckDuckGo will be tweaking its business model in the coming years, to reach a “ business model /market fit.”

Read : DuckDuckGo Business Model

Read : DuckDuckGo Story

Google (Alphabet) Business Strategy

Business Model Essence :  Free Search Engine Distributed Across Hardware, Browsers, And Members’ Websites With An Hidden Revenue Generation Model

As of 2017, over ninety billion dollars, which consisted of 86% of Google ’s revenues came from advertising networks.

The remaining fraction (about 13%) came from Apps, Google Cloud, and Hardware. While a bit more than 1% came from bets like Access, Calico, CapitalG, GV, Nest, Verily, Waymo, and X.

Google business model is changing over the years.

Even though advertising is still its cash cow, Google has been diversifying its revenues in other areas. 

While in 2015 90% of Google’s revenues came from advertising, in 2017, advertising revenues represented 86%.

Other revenues grew from about 10% in 2015 to almost 13% in 2017.

how-does-google-make-money

Why did Google get there? And where is Google going next? To understand that you need to understand the “moonshot thinking.”

Read : Google Business Model

Read : Google Cost Structure

Read : Baidu vs. Google

Understanding Google’s moonshot thinking and a breakthrough approach to business

As highlighted in the Alphabet annual report for 2018:

Many companies get comfortable doing what they have always done, making only incremental changes. This incrementalism leads to irrelevance over time, especially in technology, where change tends to be revolutionary, not evolutionary. People thought we were crazy when we acquired YouTube and Android and when we launched Chrome, but those efforts have matured into major platforms for digital video and mobile devices and a safer, popular browser. We continue to look toward the future and continue to invest for the long-term. As we said in the original founders’ letter, we will not shy away from high-risk, high-reward projects that we believe in because they are the key to our long-term success.

Understanding the moonshot approach to business is critical to understanding where Google (now Alphabet) got where it is today, and where it’s headed next.

Since the first shareholders’ letter from Google’s founders, Brin and Page they highlighted that “ Google is not a conventional company. We do not intend to become one.”

Google has successfully built ecosystems that today drive

To understand where Google is going next, you need to look at the AI Economy , in which the tech giant is trying to lead the pack.

Whether or not it will be successful will highly depend on its ability to keep creating successful ecosystems, just as Google has done with Google Maps (you might not realize but Google Maps powers up quite a large number of applications) and Android.

At the time of this writing, Google is widely investing in other areas, such as:

  • Voice search.
  • AI and machine learning applications.
  • Self-driving cars.
  • And other bets.

If that is not sufficient Google has made several moves in different spaces, to keep its dominance on mobile, while moving toward voice search, like the investment in KaiOS, which business model is interesting as it finally allows an ecosystem to be built on top of cheap mobile devices in developing countries:

kaios-feature-phone-business-model

That is why Google keeps making “smaller bets in areas that might seem very speculative or even strange when compared to its current businesses.”

Those other bets made “just” $595 million to Google in 2018.

This represented 0.4% of Google ‘s overall revenues , compared to the over $136 billion coming from the other segments.

Google ‘s North Star is its mission of “ organizing the world’s information and making it universally accessible and useful.” 

Read : KaiOS Business Model

Let’s go through a few other tips for a successful business strategy. 

Problem-first approach

customer-problem quadrant

The customer-problem quadrant by LEANSTACK’s Ash Maurya is a great starting point to define and understand the problem, that as an entrepreneur you will going to solve. 

Indeed, a successful business is such, based on the market’s rewards for the entrepreneur’s ability to solve a problem.

Keep in mind that defining and understanding problems in the real world is one of the most difficult things (that is why entrepreneurship is so hard).

To properly stumble on the right definition of the problem you’re solving, there might be some fine-tuning going on, which in the business world we like to call product-market fit . 

Business engineering skills

business-analysis

Another key element is not to lose sight of the context you’re operating.

As such, analyzing that properly might require some business engineering skills . 

To simplify your life you can use the FourWeekMBA business analysis framework.

Don’t strategize on a piece of paper

Strategies always work well on a piece of paper.

Yet when execution comes suddenly we can realize all the drawbacks of that.

In very few, rare cases, a designed strategy will work as expected.

However, the reason we plan and strategize isn’t just to make things work as we’d like them to.

But to communicate a vision we have to those people (employees, customers, stakeholders) who will help us get there. 

That is why when we strategize it’s important not to lose sight of the essence of our strategy, which is the long-term vision we have for our business.

The rest is execution, practice, and a lot of experimentation!

The innovation loop

what-is-entrepreneurship

Innovation starts by tweaking, testing, and experimenting also in unexpected ways.

Often though, as a business strategy is documented after the fact, it seems as if it was all part of a plan. 

In most cases, the innovation loop starts by stumbling upon that thing that will have a great impact on your business.

Therefore, as an entrepreneur, you need to keep pushing on those models that worked out.

But also to be on the lookout for new ways of doing things. 

Barbell approach 

barbell-strategy

In a barbel approach we want to have a clear distinction between two domains: 

  • Core business : on the core business side, where you have a consolidated strategy, and a business model that has proved to work, it’s important to be structured. This means having a clear culture, following given processes, and slowly evolving your business model. 
  • New bets : as your business model will become outdated over time, and that might happen also very quickly, you need to be on the lookout for new opportunities emerging, also in new, completely unrelated business fields. 

For instance, a tech giant like Google, has a part of its business skewed toward a few bets it placed on industries that are completely unrelated to its core business (search).

Those bets are not contributing at all to its bottom line (only some of those bets are generating revenues but those are extremely marginal compared to the overall turnover of the company). 

However, those might turn out widely successful (or huge failures) in the years to come. 

google-other-bets

Thus, with a barbell approach, we want to consolidate what we have. But also be open to what might be coming next!

Business Explorers

Strategic analysis thinking tools.

strategic-analysis

Strategic analysis is a process to understand the organization’s environment and competitive landscape to formulate informed business decisions , to plan for the organizational structure and long-term direction. Strategic planning is also useful to experiment with business model design and assess the fit with the long-term vision of the business.

Business model canvas

The business model canvas aims to provide a keen understanding of your business model to provide strategic insights about your customers, product/service, and financial structure;

so that you can make better business decisions.

Blitzscaling canvas

In this article, I’ll focus on the Blitzscaling business model canvas. This is a model based on the concept of Blitzscaling.

That is a particular process of massive growth under uncertainty, and that prioritizes speed over efficiency. It focuses on market domination to create a first-scaler advantage in a scenario of uncertainty.

Pretotyping

pretotyping-alberto-savoia

Pretotyping is a mixture of the words “pretend” and “prototype,” and it is a methodology used to validate business ideas to improve the chances of building a product or service that people want.

The pretotyping methodology comes from Alberto Savoia’s work summarized in the book “The Right It: Why So Many Ideas Fail and How to Make Sure Yours Succeed.”

This framework is a mixture of the words “pretend” and “prototype,” and it helps to answer such questions (about the product or service to build) as: Would I use it? How, how often, and when would I use it?

Would other people buy it? How much would they be willing to pay for it? How, how often, and when would they use it?

Value innovation and blue ocean strategy

blue-ocean-strategy

A blue ocean is a strategy where the boundaries of existing markets are redefined, and new uncontested markets are created.

At its core, there is value innovation, for which uncontested markets are created, where competition is made irrelevant. And the cost-value trade-off is broken.

Thus, companies following a blue ocean strategy offer much more value at a lower cost for the end customers.

Growth hacking process

growth-hacking

Growth hacking is a process of rapid experimentation, coupled with the understanding of the whole funnel, where marketing , product, data analysis, and engineering work together to achieve rapid growth.

The growth hacking process goes through four key stages analyzing, ideating, prioritizing, and testing.

Pirate metrics

pirate-metrics

Venture capitalist , Dave McClure, coined the acronym AARRR which is a simplified model that enables us to understand what metrics and channels to look at. At each stage of the users’ path toward becoming customers and referrers of a brand.

Engines of growth

engines-of-growth

In the Lean Startup, Eric Ries defined the engine of growth as “the mechanism that startups use to achieve sustainable growth.”

He described sustainable growth as following a simple rule, “new customers come from the actions of past customers.”

The three engines of growth are the sticky engine, the viral engine, and the paid engine. Each of those can be measured and tracked by a few key metrics, and it helps plan your strategic moves.

design-a-business-model

The RTVN model is a straightforward framework that can help you design a business model when you’re at the very early stage of figuring out what you need to make it succeed.

Sales cycle

business analysis case study with solution

A sales cycle is the process that your company takes to sell your services and products.

In simple words, it’s a series of steps that your sales reps need to go through with prospects that lead up to a closed sale.

Planning ahead of time the steps your sales team needs to take to close a big contract can help you grow the revenues for your business.

Comparable analysis

comparable-company-analysis

A comparable company analysis is a process that enables the identification of similar organizations to be used as a comparison to understand the business and financial performance of the target company.

To find comparables, you can look at two key profiles: the business and economic profiles.

From the comparable company analysis, it is possible to understand the competitive landscape of the target organization.

Porter’s five forces

porter-five-forces

Porter’s Five Forces is a model that helps organizations to gain a better understanding of their industries and competition.

It was published for the first time by Professor Michael Porter in his book “Competitive Strategy” in the 1980s.

The model breaks down industries and markets by analyzing them through five forces which you can use to have a first assessment of the market you’re in.

Porter’s Generic Strategies

porters-generic-strategies

Porter’s Value Chain

porters-value-chain-model

Porter’s Diamond Model

porters-diamond-model

Bowman’s Strategy Clock

bowmans-strategy-clock

VMOST Analysis

vmost-analysis

Fishbone Diagram

fishbone-diagram

GE McKinsey Matrix

ge-mckinsey-matrix

VRIO Framework

vrio-framework

3C Analysis

3c-model

AIDA stands for attention, interest, desire, and action. This is a model that is used in marketing to describe the potential journey a customer might go through, before purchasing a product or service. The variation of the AIDA model is the CAB model and the AIDCAS model.

PESTEL analysis

pestel-analysis

The PESTEL analysis is a framework that can help marketers assess whether macro-economic factors are affecting an organization.

This is a critical step that helps organizations identify potential threats and weaknesses. That can be used in other frameworks such as SWOT or to gain a broader and better understanding of the overall marketing environment.

Technology adoption curve

technology-adoption-curve

The technology adoption curve is a model that goes through five stages. Each of those stages (innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggard) has a specific psychographic that makes that group of people ready to adopt a tech product.

This simple concept can help you define the right target for your business strategy.

Business model essence

A Business Model Essence, according to FourWeekMBA, is a way to find the critical characteristics of any business to have a clear understanding of that business in a few sentences.

That can be used to analyze existing businesses. Or to draft your Business Model and keep a strategic and execution focus on the key elements to be implemented in the short-medium term.

FourWeekMBA business model framework

fourweekmba-business-model-framework

An effective business model has to focus on two dimensions: the people dimension and the financial dimension. The people dimension will allow you to build a product or service that is 10X better than existing ones and a solid brand.

The financial dimension will help you develop proper distribution channels by identifying the people that are willing to pay for your product or service and make it financially sustainable in the long run.

TAM, SAM, and SOM

total-addressable-market

Understanding your TAM, SAM and SOM can help you navigate the market you’re in and to have a laser focus on the market you can reach with your product and service.

Brand Building

business analysis case study with solution

Value Proposition Design

value-proposition

Product-Market Fit

product-market-fit

Freemium Decision Model

freemium-model-decision-tree

Organizational Design And Structures

organizational-structure

Speed-Reversibility Matrix

decision-making-matrix

Minimum Viable Product

SWOT Analysis

business analysis case study with solution

Revenue Modeling

revenue-modeling

Business Experimentation

business-experimentation

Business Analysis

bcg-matrix

Ansoff Matrix

ansoff-matrix

Key takeaway

I hope that in this guide you learned the critical aspects related to business strategy, with an emphasis on the entrepreneurial world. If business strategy would only be an academic discipline disjoined from reality, that would still be an interesting domain, yet purely speculative.

However, as a business strategy can be used as a useful tool to leverage on to build companies, hopefully, this guide will help you out in navigating through the seemingly noisy and confusing business world, dominated by technology. As a last but critical caveat, there isn’t a single way toward building a successful business.

And oftentimes the way you choose to build a business is really up to you, how you want to impact a community of people and your vision for the future!

Other resources: 

  • Types of Business Models You Need to Know
  • What Is a Business Model Canvas? Business Model Canvas Explained
  • Blitzscaling Business Model Innovation Canvas In A Nutshell
  • What Is a Value Proposition? Value Proposition Canvas Explained
  • What Is a Lean Startup Canvas? Lean Startup Canvas Explained
  • How to Write a One-Page Business Plan
  • How to Build a Great Business Plan According to Peter Thiel
  • How To Create A Business Model
  • What Is Business Model Innovation And Why It Matters
  • What Is Blitzscaling And Why It Matters
  • Business Model Vs. Business Plan: When And How To Use Them
  • The Five Key Factors That Lead To Successful Tech Startups
  • Business Model Tools for Small Businesses and Startups

Additional Business Strategy Tactics

Blue ocean player.

blue-ocean-strategy

Blue Sea Player

blue-sea-strategy

Constructive Disruptor

constructive-disruption

Niche player

microniche

Blitzscaler

blitzscaling-business-model-innovation-canvas

Continuous Blitzscaler

amazon-flywheel

What is business strategy?

What are examples of business strategies.

Things like product differentiation, business model innovation, technological innovation, more capital for growth, can all be moats that organizations focus on to gain an edge. Depending on the context, industry, and scenario, a business strategy might be more or less effective; that is why testing and experimentation are critical elements.

Connected Strategy Frameworks

ADKAR Model

adkar-model

Business Model Canvas

business-model-canvas

Lean Startup Canvas

lean-startup-canvas

Blitzscaling Canvas

blitzscaling-business-model-innovation-canvas

Blue Ocean Strategy

blue-ocean-strategy

Business Analysis Framework

business-analysis

Balanced Scorecard

balanced-scorecard

Blue Ocean Strategy 

blue-ocean-strategy

GAP Analysis

gap-analysis

GE McKinsey Model

ge-mckinsey-matrix

McKinsey 7-S Model

mckinsey-7-s-model

McKinsey’s Seven Degrees

mckinseys-seven-degrees

McKinsey Horizon Model

mckinsey-horizon-model

Porter’s Five Forces

porter-five-forces

Porter’s Value Chain Model

porters-value-chain-model

PESTEL Analysis

pestel-analysis

Scenario Planning

scenario-planning

STEEPLE Analysis

steeple-analysis

FourWeekMBA Business Toolbox

Business Engineering

business-engineering-manifesto

Tech Business Model Template

business-model-template

Web3 Business Model Template

vbde-framework

Asymmetric Business Models

asymmetric-business-models

Business Competition

business-competition

Technological Modeling

technological-modeling

Transitional Business Models

transitional-business-models

Minimum Viable Audience

minimum-viable-audience

Business Scaling

business-scaling

Market Expansion Theory

market-expansion

Speed-Reversibility

decision-making-matrix

Asymmetric Betting

asymmetric-bets

Growth Matrix

growth-strategies

Revenue Streams Matrix

revenue-streams-model-matrix

Pricing Strategies

pricing-strategies

Other business resources:

  • What Is Business Model Innovation
  • What Is a Business Model
  • What Is Business Strategy
  • What is Blitzscaling
  • What Is Market Segmentation
  • What Is a Marketing Strategy
  • What is Growth Hacking

More Resources

customer-segmentation

About The Author

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Gennaro Cuofano

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Learn From Our Real World Case Studies

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Our case studies are real world scenarios from real business analysts to help you grow in your career.

No more generic talk – show me the money – well in this case, the details. It’s nice to talk broadly about business analysis but people need some real world examples, they need to know the day to day, the nitty gritty to grow in this field! No more generic stuff! Step-by-step details time!

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Home › Case Studies › Customer Segmentation Analytics Helps Client Realize 8% Reduction in Customer Churn 

Customer Segmentation Analytics Helps Client Realize 8% Reduction in Customer Churn 

Highlights of the customer segmentation analysis case study  .

business analysis case study with solution

Business Benefits of Customer Segmentation Analysis  

As with any other business initiative, the end goal of ‘Customer Segmentation’ will ultimately depend on an organization’s objectives, market conditions, and a myriad of other such factors. While a majority of market players possess the market knowledge to anticipate the profitable customer groups, market leaders are aware that scaling a business is best not left to instinct or guesswork. That’s why in a customer segmentation analysis engagement, it is necessary to devise customer segment hypotheses and variables by validating them with a well-defined analytical approach. 

However, if done right, the business benefits are innumerable, and it will tangibly impact your business operations by: 

  • Enabling you to pursue higher percentage opportunities 
  • Improving your product/service portfolio 
  • Focusing your marketing message 

With the rise in digital transactions and changes in customer behaviors, businesses have a great opportunity to capture, analyze, and leverage data for better decision-making. However, capturing a complete view of customers seems to be daunting when data has to be integrated from several online and offline channels. Today, customer segmentation plays a key role in targeted marketing, lead generation, and conversion, which is one of the main reason that is compelling businesses to implement a customer segmentation framework. In this case, the technology company was facing a decline in the sales volume of its flagship wearable devices, which accounted for over $2 million of its overall annual sales revenue. It recognized that this area of their business was underperforming. But, to address these challenges and performance issues they required in-depth customer insights, which required them to implement robust customer segmentation models. 

Book a demo to experience the meaningful insights we derive from data through our analytical tools and platform capabilities. Schedule a demo today! 

A compelling opportunity to use existing enterprise data to answer key strategic questions about its customers, products, geography, and sales channels is what made them approach Quantzig.  The client wanted to leverage customer segmentation and data visualization to predict customer behaviors and effectively engage them well in advance for improving sales. 

The rising skepticism over the ever-escalating prices on pharmaceutical products is compelling organizations to innovate by increasing their investments in R&D. As people are gaining more access to healthcare, prominent businesses are planning to manage healthcare funding and tender effective measures to narrow the price gaps between local and international brands. Along with urbanization, the rise of the aging population, changing lifestyles, and increasing incidences of chronic diseases will drive the growth of the pharmaceutical product space. 

The client wanted to stay ahead of the competitors and identify new products to meet customer expectations. The client wanted to segment their customers based on their needs, behaviors, and demographics. Moreover, through an effective customer segmentation engagement, the supplier of the product wanted to develop value-based segmentation to understand the revenue they generate. The primary concern of the client was to create and communicate targeted marketing messages to resonate with a specific group of customers. 

Customer Segmentation Models

Personalized marketing interactions are those that resonate with the end-users considering their individual preferences and requirements. But without the implementation of appropriate customer segmentation models, nothing can be customized. Customer segmentation models are generally based on the following four factors – geographic, behavioral, psychographic, and demographics. However, the way each category is utilized to build segments that propel the customer retention strategy adopted by a firm may be a key differentiator. Here are a few examples of customer segmentation models that are built around the key factors mentioned above: 

  • Customer segmentation based on touchpoint engagement 
  • Customer segmentation based on buying patterns 
  • Customer segmentation based on customer goals 
  • Client Profile 

The client is a leading US-based warehouse logistics solution provider. The client is a well-known warehouse logistics and distribution company that specializes in handling import and export cargo. 

After attending one of our webinars, the clients connected with one of our experts to learn what they can achieve with a superior customer segmentation analysis. 

Revolutionary Solutions for the Client  

The efficiency of warehouse logistics services has become a key differentiator between businesses in the market space. However, significant challenges exist relative to the development of warehouse logistics services for different customer segments. They include factors such as longer lead times, diversity in the regulations across borders, and the dynamic nature of transportation costs; all of which contribute to the difficulty in handling such services worldwide. 

Moreover, as a service offering, the warehouse logistics solutions are characterized by extensive customizations, intensive customer contact, and dependence on cues from customer segments for enhancing service efficiency. Owing to such factors, the client wanted to leverage customer segmentation analysis and identify the global, vertical, and horizontal customer segments. 

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Quantzig worked with the client to determine the specific challenges that they wished to address. Once this analysis was complete, we worked with them to source the relevant data, which came from disparate data sources. The solutions offered were designed to identify key drivers for unique customer segments and key product attributes. This helped the client to develop new products and promote existing products to trade-up low-tier consumers. By leveraging customer analytics businesses are revolutionizing the way they operate. We have created entirely new methods for engaging customers—illustrating the disruptive power unleashed by comprehensive customer segmentation models. 

To address the challenges faced by the client the analytics experts at Quantzig adopted a comprehensive approach which consisted of the following three phases: 

Phase 1  

In the initial phase of this customer segmentation engagement, we built a consolidated data visualization platform and leveraged the use of analytical dashboards for effective customer segmentation analysis and decision-making. 

Phase 2  

Phase two of the customer segmentation process revolved around the integration of disparate sources of structured and unstructured business information, including customer data obtained from product billing information, campaign data, and promotions, as well as net promoter scores (NPS), panel surveys, and competitor research data. 

Phase 3  

Using data visualization techniques we empowered the client to forecast performance at granular levels and assess risk factors to strategic goals. The use of robust customer segmentation models further improved their ability to mitigate risks and achieve desired results. 

Impact Analysis of Customer Segmentation Analysis

business analysis case study with solution

Quantzig’s customer analytics experts worked as an extension of the warehouse logistics firm to devise suitable models that helped them enhance revenue by grouping customers into different segments – a few of which transcended borders. The adopted customer segmentation models helped them develop a well-aligned business plan to deliver sustained growth. Quantzig’s customer segmentation analysis also empowered the client to attract and win over global customers in search of solutions that integrate different logistic solutions. 

Identification of key brand-drivers across markets revealed opportunities for global campaigns and product innovation, along with market-specific customization needed in communication strategies. This customer segmentation engagement was completed in a short span of time, starting with conceptualization and planning phases, to customer segmentation strategy development, and the rollout of the new dashboards to track customer behavior. 

Based on the key drivers that emerged for each of the customer segments, our experts identified the winning product proposition for the market and developed a customer segmentation framework which helped them trade-up the low-tier customers towards high-tier products and increase revenue for the business. 

The customer segmentation solution offered by Quantzig helped the pharmaceutical products supplier to identify ways to improve product and service opportunities and establish a better relationship with the customers. The solution also sought ways for the client to differentiate customers based on their economic value. Moreover, the client was able to predict and anticipate the most profitable customers and allocate their capital resources efficiently. The client was able to differentiate their products with that of the competitors’ offerings and improve the overall market share. 

The business impact of the customer segmentation analysis solution is: 

  • 8% reduction in customer churn 
  • 11% increase in monthly recurring revenue 
  • 16% increase in customer engagement via marketing activities 
  • The customer segmentation framework offered a ‘one source of truth’ that resulted in a 50% reduction in cost 
  • Analyzed the key drivers of customer satisfaction 
  • Devised suitable strategies to counter the decline in sales 

Get started with your complimentary trial today and delve into our platform without any obligations. Explore our wide range of customized, consumption driven analytical solutions services built across the analytical maturity levels. 

Recent Posts

Marketing Mix Modeling: How Quantzig Helped a Prominent Client in the CPG Industry Optimize their Marketing Spend

Marketing Mix Modeling: How Quantzig Helped a Prominent Client in the CPG Industry Optimize their Marketing Spend

Customer Segmentation Analytics Helps Client Realize 8% Reduction in Customer Churn 

Sales Force Effectiveness Analytics for a Leading Medical Device Manufacturer

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Top 20 Analytics Case Studies in 2024

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Although the potential of Big Data and business intelligence are recognized by organizations, Gartner analyst Nick Heudecker says that the failure rate of analytics projects is close to 85%. Uncovering the power of analytics improves business operations, reduces costs, enhances decision-making , and enables the launching of more personalized products.

In this article, our research covers:

How to measure analytics success?

What are some analytics case studies.

According to  Gartner CDO Survey,  the top 3 critical success factors of analytics projects are:

  • Creation of a data-driven culture within the organization,
  • Data integration and data skills training across the organization,
  • And implementation of a data management and analytics strategy.

The success of the process of analytics depends on asking the right question. It requires an understanding of the appropriate data required for each goal to be achieved. We’ve listed 20 successful analytics applications/case studies from different industries.

During our research, we examined that partnering with an analytics consultant helps organizations boost their success if organizations’ tech team lacks certain data skills.

*Vendors have not shared the client name

For more on analytics

If your organization is willing to implement an analytics solution but doesn’t know where to start, here are some of the articles we’ve written before that can help you learn more:

  • AI in analytics: How AI is shaping analytics
  • Edge Analytics in 2022: What it is, Why it matters & Use Cases
  • Application Analytics: Tracking KPIs that lead to success

Finally, if you believe that your business would benefit from adopting an analytics solution, we have data-driven lists of vendors on our analytics hub and analytics platforms

We will help you choose the best solution tailored to your needs:

business analysis case study with solution

Cem has been the principal analyst at AIMultiple since 2017. AIMultiple informs hundreds of thousands of businesses (as per similarWeb) including 60% of Fortune 500 every month. Cem's work has been cited by leading global publications including Business Insider , Forbes, Washington Post , global firms like Deloitte , HPE, NGOs like World Economic Forum and supranational organizations like European Commission . You can see more reputable companies and media that referenced AIMultiple. Throughout his career, Cem served as a tech consultant, tech buyer and tech entrepreneur. He advised businesses on their enterprise software, automation, cloud, AI / ML and other technology related decisions at McKinsey & Company and Altman Solon for more than a decade. He also published a McKinsey report on digitalization. He led technology strategy and procurement of a telco while reporting to the CEO. He has also led commercial growth of deep tech company Hypatos that reached a 7 digit annual recurring revenue and a 9 digit valuation from 0 within 2 years. Cem's work in Hypatos was covered by leading technology publications like TechCrunch and Business Insider . Cem regularly speaks at international technology conferences. He graduated from Bogazici University as a computer engineer and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.

To stay up-to-date on B2B tech & accelerate your enterprise:

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7 Favorite Business Case Studies to Teach—and Why

Explore more.

  • Case Teaching
  • Course Materials

FEATURED CASE STUDIES

The Army Crew Team . Emily Michelle David of CEIBS

ATH Technologies . Devin Shanthikumar of Paul Merage School of Business

Fabritek 1992 . Rob Austin of Ivey Business School

Lincoln Electric Co . Karin Schnarr of Wilfrid Laurier University

Pal’s Sudden Service—Scaling an Organizational Model to Drive Growth . Gary Pisano of Harvard Business School

The United States Air Force: ‘Chaos’ in the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron . Francesca Gino of Harvard Business School

Warren E. Buffett, 2015 . Robert F. Bruner of Darden School of Business

To dig into what makes a compelling case study, we asked seven experienced educators who teach with—and many who write—business case studies: “What is your favorite case to teach and why?”

The resulting list of case study favorites ranges in topics from operations management and organizational structure to rebel leaders and whodunnit dramas.

1. The Army Crew Team

Emily Michelle David, Assistant Professor of Management, China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)

business analysis case study with solution

“I love teaching  The Army Crew Team  case because it beautifully demonstrates how a team can be so much less than the sum of its parts.

I deliver the case to executives in a nearby state-of-the-art rowing facility that features rowing machines, professional coaches, and shiny red eight-person shells.

After going through the case, they hear testimonies from former members of Chinese national crew teams before carrying their own boat to the river for a test race.

The rich learning environment helps to vividly underscore one of the case’s core messages: competition can be a double-edged sword if not properly managed.

business analysis case study with solution

Executives in Emily Michelle David’s organizational behavior class participate in rowing activities at a nearby facility as part of her case delivery.

Despite working for an elite headhunting firm, the executives in my most recent class were surprised to realize how much they’ve allowed their own team-building responsibilities to lapse. In the MBA pre-course, this case often leads to a rich discussion about common traps that newcomers fall into (for example, trying to do too much, too soon), which helps to poise them to both stand out in the MBA as well as prepare them for the lateral team building they will soon engage in.

Finally, I love that the post-script always gets a good laugh and serves as an early lesson that organizational behavior courses will seldom give you foolproof solutions for specific problems but will, instead, arm you with the ability to think through issues more critically.”

2. ATH Technologies

Devin Shanthikumar, Associate Professor of Accounting, Paul Merage School of Business

business analysis case study with solution

“As a professor at UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business, and before that at Harvard Business School, I have probably taught over 100 cases. I would like to say that my favorite case is my own,   Compass Box Whisky Company . But as fun as that case is, one case beats it:  ATH Technologies  by Robert Simons and Jennifer Packard.

ATH presents a young entrepreneurial company that is bought by a much larger company. As part of the merger, ATH gets an ‘earn-out’ deal—common among high-tech industries. The company, and the class, must decide what to do to achieve the stretch earn-out goals.

ATH captures a scenario we all want to be in at some point in our careers—being part of a young, exciting, growing organization. And a scenario we all will likely face—having stretch goals that seem almost unreachable.

It forces us, as a class, to really struggle with what to do at each stage.

After we read and discuss the A case, we find out what happens next, and discuss the B case, then the C, then D, and even E. At every stage, we can:

see how our decisions play out,

figure out how to build on our successes, and

address our failures.

The case is exciting, the class discussion is dynamic and energetic, and in the end, we all go home with a memorable ‘ah-ha!’ moment.

I have taught many great cases over my career, but none are quite as fun, memorable, and effective as ATH .”

3. Fabritek 1992

Rob Austin, Professor of Information Systems, Ivey Business School

business analysis case study with solution

“This might seem like an odd choice, but my favorite case to teach is an old operations case called  Fabritek 1992 .

The latest version of Fabritek 1992 is dated 2009, but it is my understanding that this is a rewrite of a case that is older (probably much older). There is a Fabritek 1969 in the HBP catalog—same basic case, older dates, and numbers. That 1969 version lists no authors, so I suspect the case goes even further back; the 1969 version is, I’m guessing, a rewrite of an even older version.

There are many things I appreciate about the case. Here are a few:

It operates as a learning opportunity at many levels. At first it looks like a not-very-glamorous production job scheduling case. By the end of the case discussion, though, we’re into (operations) strategy and more. It starts out technical, then explodes into much broader relevance. As I tell participants when I’m teaching HBP's Teaching with Cases seminars —where I often use Fabritek as an example—when people first encounter this case, they almost always underestimate it.

It has great characters—especially Arthur Moreno, who looks like a troublemaker, but who, discussion reveals, might just be the smartest guy in the factory. Alums of the Harvard MBA program have told me that they remember Arthur Moreno many years later.

Almost every word in the case is important. It’s only four and a half pages of text and three pages of exhibits. This economy of words and sparsity of style have always seemed like poetry to me. I should note that this super concise, every-word-matters approach is not the ideal we usually aspire to when we write cases. Often, we include extra or superfluous information because part of our teaching objective is to provide practice in separating what matters from what doesn’t in a case. Fabritek takes a different approach, though, which fits it well.

It has a dramatic structure. It unfolds like a detective story, a sort of whodunnit. Something is wrong. There is a quality problem, and we’re not sure who or what is responsible. One person, Arthur Moreno, looks very guilty (probably too obviously guilty), but as we dig into the situation, there are many more possibilities. We spend in-class time analyzing the data (there’s a bit of math, so it covers that base, too) to determine which hypotheses are best supported by the data. And, realistically, the data doesn’t support any of the hypotheses perfectly, just some of them more than others. Also, there’s a plot twist at the end (I won’t reveal it, but here’s a hint: Arthur Moreno isn’t nearly the biggest problem in the final analysis). I have had students tell me the surprising realization at the end of the discussion gives them ‘goosebumps.’

Finally, through the unexpected plot twist, it imparts what I call a ‘wisdom lesson’ to young managers: not to be too sure of themselves and to regard the experiences of others, especially experts out on the factory floor, with great seriousness.”

4. Lincoln Electric Co.

Karin Schnarr, Assistant Professor of Policy, Wilfrid Laurier University

business analysis case study with solution

“As a strategy professor, my favorite case to teach is the classic 1975 Harvard case  Lincoln Electric Co.  by Norman Berg.

I use it to demonstrate to students the theory linkage between strategy and organizational structure, management processes, and leadership behavior.

This case may be an odd choice for a favorite. It occurs decades before my students were born. It is pages longer than we are told students are now willing to read. It is about manufacturing arc welding equipment in Cleveland, Ohio—a hard sell for a Canadian business classroom.

Yet, I have never come across a case that so perfectly illustrates what I want students to learn about how a company can be designed from an organizational perspective to successfully implement its strategy.

And in a time where so much focus continues to be on how to maximize shareholder value, it is refreshing to be able to discuss a publicly-traded company that is successfully pursuing a strategy that provides a fair value to shareholders while distributing value to employees through a large bonus pool, as well as value to customers by continually lowering prices.

However, to make the case resonate with today’s students, I work to make it relevant to the contemporary business environment. I link the case to multimedia clips about Lincoln Electric’s current manufacturing practices, processes, and leadership practices. My students can then see that a model that has been in place for generations is still viable and highly successful, even in our very different competitive situation.”

5. Pal’s Sudden Service—Scaling an Organizational Model to Drive Growth

Gary Pisano, Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School

business analysis case study with solution

“My favorite case to teach these days is  Pal’s Sudden Service—Scaling an Organizational Model to Drive Growth .

I love teaching this case for three reasons:

1. It demonstrates how a company in a super-tough, highly competitive business can do very well by focusing on creating unique operating capabilities. In theory, Pal’s should have no chance against behemoths like McDonalds or Wendy’s—but it thrives because it has built a unique operating system. It’s a great example of a strategic approach to operations in action.

2. The case shows how a strategic approach to human resource and talent development at all levels really matters. This company competes in an industry not known for engaging its front-line workers. The case shows how engaging these workers can really pay off.

3. Finally, Pal’s is really unusual in its approach to growth. Most companies set growth goals (usually arbitrary ones) and then try to figure out how to ‘backfill’ the human resource and talent management gaps. They trust you can always find someone to do the job. Pal’s tackles the growth problem completely the other way around. They rigorously select and train their future managers. Only when they have a manager ready to take on their own store do they open a new one. They pace their growth off their capacity to develop talent. I find this really fascinating and so do the students I teach this case to.”

6. The United States Air Force: ‘Chaos’ in the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron

Francesca Gino, Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School

business analysis case study with solution

“My favorite case to teach is  The United States Air Force: ‘Chaos’ in the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron .

The case surprises students because it is about a leader, known in the unit by the nickname Chaos , who inspired his squadron to be innovative and to change in a culture that is all about not rocking the boat, and where there is a deep sense that rules should simply be followed.

For years, I studied ‘rebels,’ people who do not accept the status quo; rather, they approach work with curiosity and produce positive change in their organizations. Chaos is a rebel leader who got the level of cultural change right. Many of the leaders I’ve met over the years complain about the ‘corporate culture,’ or at least point to clear weaknesses of it; but then they throw their hands up in the air and forget about changing what they can.

Chaos is different—he didn’t go after the ‘Air Force’ culture. That would be like boiling the ocean.

Instead, he focused on his unit of control and command: The 99th squadron. He focused on enabling that group to do what it needed to do within the confines of the bigger Air Force culture. In the process, he inspired everyone on his team to be the best they can be at work.

The case leaves the classroom buzzing and inspired to take action.”

7. Warren E. Buffett, 2015

Robert F. Bruner, Professor of Business Administration, Darden School of Business

business analysis case study with solution

“I love teaching   Warren E. Buffett, 2015  because it energizes, exercises, and surprises students.

Buffett looms large in the business firmament and therefore attracts anyone who is eager to learn his secrets for successful investing. This generates the kind of energy that helps to break the ice among students and instructors early in a course and to lay the groundwork for good case discussion practices.

Studying Buffett’s approach to investing helps to introduce and exercise important themes that will resonate throughout a course. The case challenges students to define for themselves what it means to create value. The case discussion can easily be tailored for novices or for more advanced students.

Either way, this is not hero worship: The case affords a critical examination of the financial performance of Buffett’s firm, Berkshire Hathaway, and reveals both triumphs and stumbles. Most importantly, students can critique the purported benefits of Buffett’s conglomeration strategy and the sustainability of his investment record as the size of the firm grows very large.

By the end of the class session, students seem surprised with what they have discovered. They buzz over the paradoxes in Buffett’s philosophy and performance record. And they come away with sober respect for Buffett’s acumen and for the challenges of creating value for investors.

Surely, such sobriety is a meta-message for any mastery of finance.”

More Educator Favorites

CASE TEACHING

Emily Michelle David is an assistant professor of management at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS). Her current research focuses on discovering how to make workplaces more welcoming for people of all backgrounds and personality profiles to maximize performance and avoid employee burnout. David’s work has been published in a number of scholarly journals, and she has worked as an in-house researcher at both NASA and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

business analysis case study with solution

Devin Shanthikumar  is an associate professor and the accounting area coordinator at UCI Paul Merage School of Business. She teaches undergraduate, MBA, and executive-level courses in managerial accounting. Shanthikumar previously served on the faculty at Harvard Business School, where she taught both financial accounting and managerial accounting for MBAs, and wrote cases that are used in accounting courses across the country.

business analysis case study with solution

Robert D. Austin is a professor of information systems at Ivey Business School and an affiliated faculty member at Harvard Medical School. He has published widely, authoring nine books, more than 50 cases and notes, three Harvard online products, and two popular massive open online courses (MOOCs) running on the Coursera platform.

business analysis case study with solution

Karin Schnarr is an assistant professor of policy and the director of the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program at the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada where she teaches strategic management at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive levels. Schnarr has published several award-winning and best-selling cases and regularly presents at international conferences on case writing and scholarship.

business analysis case study with solution

Gary P. Pisano is the Harry E. Figgie, Jr. Professor of Business Administration and senior associate dean of faculty development at Harvard Business School, where he has been on the faculty since 1988. Pisano is an expert in the fields of technology and operations strategy, the management of innovation, and competitive strategy. His research and consulting experience span a range of industries including aerospace, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, health care, nutrition, computers, software, telecommunications, and semiconductors.

business analysis case study with solution

Francesca Gino studies how people can have more productive, creative, and fulfilling lives. She is a professor at Harvard Business School and the author, most recently, of  Rebel Talent: Why It Pays to Break the Rules at Work and in Life . Gino regularly gives keynote speeches, delivers corporate training programs, and serves in advisory roles for firms and not-for-profit organizations across the globe.

business analysis case study with solution

Robert F. Bruner is a university professor at the University of Virginia, distinguished professor of business administration, and dean emeritus of the Darden School of Business. He has also held visiting appointments at Harvard and Columbia universities in the United States, at INSEAD in France, and at IESE in Spain. He is the author, co-author, or editor of more than 20 books on finance, management, and teaching. Currently, he teaches and writes in finance and management.

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MBA Case Studies - Solved Examples

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Case i: chemco case.

  • ChemCo is a quality leader in the U.K. car batteries market.
  • Customer battery purchases in the automobile market are highly seasonal.
  • The fork-lift business was added to utilize idle capacity during periods of inactivity.
  • This is a low-growth industry (1% annual growth over the last two years)
  • Large customers are sophisticated and buy based on price and quality. Smaller customers buy solely on price.
  • There is a Spanish competitor in the market who offers low priced batteries of inferior quality.

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  • Established player in car batteries
  • Losing heavily in fork-lift truck batteries
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  • Low priced competitors
  • Foreign competitors gaining market share
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  • High quality product, but low end customers care more about price than quality
  • Mismanaged product diversification in a price sensitive market
  • Alternative 1: Establish an Off-Brand for the fork-lift business
  • Alternative 2: Educate the customer market about product quality
  • Alternative 3: Exit the fork-lift battery business
  • Establishing the firm's quality image
  • Increase in market share
  • Increase in sales
  • Cost of the product
  • Protect firm's quality image in the automobile industry
  • Redesigned product to reduce the cost of manufacture
  • Low price to enable it to compete with Spanish producer
  • Make use of the quality leadership in car batteries market
  • Offer reliability testing, extended warranties etc. to promote quality image
  • Set higher prices to extract surplus from these advantages
  • A passive strategy, not proactive
  • Recommendations: Alternative 1 is recommended in this case. Since the firm operates in an industry which has low growth, hence it can expand market share and sales only by taking the customers from other players. Hence, it needs to tackle the Spanish competitor head-on by aggressively pricing its product. At the same time, launching a low-priced product under the same brand name erodes the high quality image in the car batteries market. Hence, the best option is to go for an off-brand to target the fork-lift customers who are increasingly becoming price sensitive. This will enable the company to ward off the threat in short-term and build its position strongly in the long-term.

business analysis case study with solution

Case II: NAKAMURA LACQUER COMPANY

  • The Nakamura Lacquer Company: The Nakamura Lacquer Company based in Kyoto, Japan was one of the many small handicraft shops making lacquerware for the daily table use of the Japanese people.
  • Mr. Nakamura- the personality: In 1948, a young Mr. Nakamura took over his family business. He saw an opportunity to cater to a new market of America, i.e. GI's of the Occupation Army who had begun to buy lacquer ware as souvenirs. However, he realized that the traditional handicraft methods were inadequate. He was an innovator and introduced simple methods of processing and inspection using machines. Four years later, when the Occupation Army left in 1952, Nakamura employed several thousand men, and produced 500,000 pieces of lacquers tableware each year for the Japanese mass consumer market. The profit from operations was $250,000.
  • The Brand: Nakamura named his brand “Chrysanthemum” after the national flower of Japan, which showed his patriotic fervor. The brand became Japan's best known and best selling brand, being synonymous with good quality, middle class and dependability.
  • The Market: The market for lacquerware in Japan seems to have matured, with the production steady at 500,000 pieces a year. Nakamura did practically no business outside of Japan. However, early in 1960, when the American interest in Japanese products began to grow, Nakamura received two offers
  • The Rose and Crown offer: The first offer was from Mr. Phil Rose, V.P Marketing at the National China Company. They were the largest manufacturer of good quality dinnerware in the U.S., with their “Rose and Crown” brand accounting for almost 30% of total sales. They were willing to give a firm order for three eyes for annual purchases of 400,000 sets of lacquer dinnerware, delivered in Japan and at 5% more than what the Japanese jobbers paid. However, Nakamura would have to forego the Chrysanthemum trademark to “Rose and Crown” and also undertaken to sell lacquer ware to anyone else the U.S. The offer promised returns of $720,000 over three years (with net returns of $83,000), but with little potential for the U.S. market on the Chrysanthemum brand beyond that period.
  • The Semmelback offer: The second offer was from Mr. Walter Sammelback of Sammelback, Sammelback and Whittacker, Chicago, the largest supplier of hotel and restaurant supplies in the U.S. They perceived a U.S. market of 600,000 sets a year, expecting it to go up to 2 million in around 5 years. Since the Japanese government did not allow overseas investment, Sammelback was willing to budget $1.5 million. Although the offer implied negative returns of $467,000 over the first five years, the offer had the potential to give a $1 million profit if sales picked up as anticipated.
  • Meeting the order: To meet the numbers requirement of the orders, Nakamura would either have to expand capacity or cut down on the domestic market. If he chose to expand capacity, the danger was of idle capacity in case the U.S. market did not respond. If he cut down on the domestic market, the danger was of losing out on a well-established market. Nakamura could also source part of the supply from other vendors. However, this option would not find favor with either of the American buyers since they had approached only Nakamura, realizing that he was the best person to meet the order.
  • Decision problem: Whether to accept any of the two offers and if yes, which one of the two and under what terms of conditions?
  • To expand into the U.S. market.
  • To maintain and build upon their reputation of the “Chrysanthemum” brand
  • To increase profit volumes by tapping the U.S. market and as a result, increasing scale of operations.
  • To increase its share in the U.S. lacquerware market.
  • Profit Maximization criterion: The most important criterion in the long run is profit maximization.
  • Risk criterion: Since the demand in the U.S. market is not as much as in Japan.
  • Brand identity criterion: Nakamura has painstakingly built up a brand name in Japan. It is desirable for him to compete in the U.S. market under the same brand name
  • Flexibility criterion: The chosen option should offer Nakamura flexibility in maneuvering the terms and conditions to his advantage. Additionally, Nakamura should have bargaining power at the time of renewal of the contract.
  • Short term returns: Nakamura should receive some returns on the investment he makes on the new offers. However, this criterion may be compromised in favor of profit maximization in the long run.?
  • Reject both: React both the offers and concentrate on the domestic market
  • Accept RC offer: Accept the Rose and Crown offer and supply the offer by cutting down on supplies to the domestic market or through capacity expansion or both
  • Accept SSW: offer; accept the SSW offer and meet it through cutting down on supply to the domestic market or through capacity expansion or both. Negotiate term of supply.
  • Reject both: This option would not meet the primary criterion of profit maximization. Further, the objective of growth would also not be met. Hence, this option is rejected.
  • Accept RC offer: The RC offer would assure net returns of $283,000 over the next three yeas. It also assures regular returns of $240,000 per year. However, Nakamura would have no presence in the U.S. with its Chrysanthemum brand name The RC offer would entail capacity expansion, as it would not be possible to siphon of 275,000 pieces from the domestic market over three years without adversely affecting operations there. At the end of three years, Nakamura would have little bargaining power with RC as it would have an excess capacity of 275,000 pieces and excess labor which it would want to utilize. In this sense the offer is risky. Further, the offer is not flexible. Long-term profit maximization is uncertain in this case a condition that can be controlled in the SSW offer. Hence, this offer is rejected.
  • Accept SSW offer: The SSW offer does not assure a firm order or any returns for the period of contract. Although, in its present form the offer is risky if the market in the U.S. does not pick up as expected, the offer is flexible. If Nakamura were to exhibit caution initially by supplying only 300,000 instead of the anticipated 600,000 pieces, it could siphon off the 175,000 required from the domestic market. If demand exists in the U.S., the capacity can be expanded. With this offer, risk is minimized. Further, it would be competing on its own brand name. Distribution would be taken care of and long-term profit maximization criterion would be satisfied as this option has the potential of $1 million in profits per year. At the time of renewal of the contract, Nakamura would have immense bargaining power.
  • Negotiate terms of offer with SSW: The terms would be that NLC would supply 300,000 pieces in the first year. If market demand exists, NLC should expand capacity to provide the expected demand.
  • Action Plan: In the first phase, NLC would supply SSW with 300,000 pieces. 125,000 of these would be obtained by utilizing excess capacity, while the remaining would be obtained from the domestic market. If the expected demand for lacquer ware exists in the U.S., NLC would expand capacity to meet the expected demand. The debt incurred would be paid off by the fifth year.
  • Contingency Plan:  In case the demand is not as expected in the first year, NLC should not service the U.S. market and instead concentrate on increasing penetration in the domestic market.

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Business Case Analysis

A business case analysis is made to present ways on how the requirements of a program or a project can be provided in a timely manner to ensure the smooth flow and effectiveness of the entire program life cycle. Usually, a business case analysis is developed by the stakeholders of the business or a project. However, it is also necessary for project managers to create this document to ensure that there will be a list of alternatives that can maximize the resources that the stakeholders will provide. Just like a business systems analysis , a business case analysis should also be detailed and comprehensive so that it will be highly beneficial to the organization and its stakeholders.

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Develop a thorough business case analysis with the help of the downloadable and printable examples that we have listed in this post. Referring to document examples can help you come up with a business case analysis that is fit and suitable with the needs of your organization.

Business Case Analysis Guidelines Example

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Simple Business Case Analysis Example

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Size: 237 KB

What Is a Business Case Analysis?

Alternatives and solutions for corporate programs are necessary to be presented to stakeholders so that they can identify the options for the transaction which can showcase the best value for their involvement in a specific undertaking. Aside from the mentioned items, it is also important for a business case analysis to provide details about cost estimates, program schedules and time frames, and benefits listing.

If you have already made a  cash flow analysis  or any other kinds of analysis documents, then it will already be easy for you to create a business case analysis. However, you should still be fully aware of what a business case analysis is all about so you can plot its content based on the objectives and goals that you would like to achieve. Here are some information that can help you easily understand what a business case analysis is:

  • A business case analysis is one of the references used by stakeholders to come up with a decision on whether to invest in a project or not. This is the reason why project managers ensure that they will create an impressive and appealing business case analysis so that they can get the attention and approval of stakeholders.
  • A business case analysis presents updates and development reports as the project or program progresses. This is very important as these changes must be documented accordingly so there will be references for the project team should they be immersed in a similar or related project in the future.
  • A business case analysis is used as a decision-making guide, not only for the stakeholders but also to the project managers and their project team. Using a business case analysis can help them select different approaches or alternatives on how the flow of the project or program will go. With this, all resources can be allocated accordingly and certain adjustments can be done in the earliest time possible if it will be deemed necessary.
  • A business case analysis is a document that can help stakeholders identify the difference between budget accounts. More so, this document can reflect how given amounts for budgeting purposes can impact or affect the results of the program or the project at hand.
  • A business case analysis can be a great help when it comes to validating the efficiency of any change proposal for a project once the implementation of plans of action is already in the works. This document can discuss all the specifications of the project scope and change impact including the budget needed by the project team as well as the schedule baselines that can measure the timeliness and appropriateness of all project activities.
  • A business case analysis can validate the successes of the project team and their ability to deliver the expected results of the stakeholders. By using this document, there will be a clear representation on how the planned benefits for particular entities are realized one the project has already been completed or a program has already been implemented.

Business Case Analysis Template Example

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Business Case Evaluation Example

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Importance of Having a Detailed Business Case Analysis

A  lawn care business plan  is very beneficial to start-up businesses who would like to enter the lawn care industry. This is the same scenario when a project team uses a business case analysis to help them create sound decisions that can impact the entire project development processes. Here are some of the reasons why a detailed business case analysis is very important in particular business transactions:

  • Developing a business case analysis allows businesses to come up with a useful tool that they can present whenever required by stakeholders and other project decision makers. This document is very efficient whenever there is a need to determine what is the project strategy that can provide the best value to all entities involved in the transaction.
  • Using a business case analysis helps stakeholders understand the reasons on why particular decisions are made. This will allow them to approve the selections that can positively affect the results of the project. Having a business case analysis at hand can be one of the ways on how the project team can communicate accordingly with the other project stakeholders.
  • Making a business case analysis can establish trust between the project manager and the stakeholders of the project. It will be easier and more transparent to explain particular suggestions if there is a material that can present the specifications of option analysis within a variety of business cases.

Business Case Analysis Example

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Initial Business Case Analysis Example

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What Is in a Business Case Analysis?

An  event cost analysis , business case analysis, and any other types of analysis documents must be comprehensive so that they can be functional. Being able to come up with a complete discussion and an in-depth presentation can help all the stakeholders of the business or a project to be in the same page which can result to an effective decision-making process. Here are some of the basic details that should be observed in the content discussion of your business case analysis:

  • The presentation of the subject of the business case analysis
  • The reason or the purpose on why the business case analysis is essential to be developed
  • The objectives and goals that the business case analysis would like to achieve
  • The introduction of the factors and elements that are needed to be considered within the business case analysis
  • The methods of analysis that have been used to gather the details of the business case presentation
  • The assumptions and rationale of the project team and/or the other stakeholders of the project
  • The limitations and boundaries of the analysis depending on the business case at hand
  • The scope or range of the business case analysis processes
  • The call to actions that should be implemented in a timely manner as well as the strategies and tactics that must be incorporated in each plan of action
  • The obligations and responsibilities of all the entities involved in the transaction where the analysis will be used
  • The financial and operational impact of the business case analysis results
  • The discussion of the results of the business case analysis
  • The time frames in which analysis of business cases have been done or executed
  • The conclusions, insights, and recommendations of the entity who developed the business case analysis
  • The desired result that should be achieved by the project team based on the analysis specifications

Information Technology Business Case Development and Analysis Example

information technology business case development and analysis example 01

Business Case Analysis of Opportunities and Challenges Example

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Why Is a Business Case Analysis Considered an Essential Business Document?

When making a  job safety analysis , a business case analysis or any analysis documents for this matter, you have to think of the ways on how these documents can affect your work processes and the overall development of your functions and deliverable provision. Having a business case analysis is very important as it can give the best value not only to the clients of the project but also to the project team and the other stakeholders of the project. A few of the reasons why a business case analysis is considered as an essential business document include the following:

  • An analysis of a particular business case can help identify the best option at hand. Aside from the cost that will be used for the project, a business case analysis also deals with different factors and elements as long as these can affect the project and its development.
  • With the usage of a business case analysis, the project team’s performance can be observed. This will enable stakeholders to know how the productivity and efficiency of the workforce can affect the levels and phases of project growth. Hence, it will be easier to measure or gauge the reliability of the project team if they can maintain and be at par with the specifications approved by the stakeholders as mentioned in a business case analysis.
  • If you will have a business case analysis, you can separate the listing of the items that can impact the decision of stakeholders with regards their investments and project involvement. This will allow you to have an easier time identifying all the quantifiable and non-quantifiable elements that you should consider in every project decision.

Small Business Case Study and Analysis Example

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Business School Case Analysis Example

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Tips and Guidelines When Making a Business Case Analysis

Is it your first time to create a business case analysis? Are you even aware on how you can start the development of the specified document? Creating a business case analysis or even a  financial consulting business plan  can be very intimidating as there are a lot of information that you need to gather, review, evaluate, and present so you can come up with a discussion that is worthy to be browsed through by your target audience. Here are some tips and guidelines that can help you ensure that your business case analysis will be appreciated by the stakeholders of the project:

  • Make sure to come up with a business case analysis that is formatted accordingly. Having an organized discussion and a well-thought-of layout can make it easier for you to update the document when needed during the life cycle of the project or the program where you will incorporate the document’s usage.
  • Base the content of your business case analysis with the nature of the alternatives that you would like to present. You also have to consider the technology, systems, and other key elements that are necessary in the processes of the document’s development.
  • It will be better if you can come up with a list of alternatives that have different cost ranges, requirements, and value for expected benefits. You can also present different scheduling methods and performance specifications so that there will be a wider scope of options for your stakeholders.
  • Ensure that you will review the business case analysis before you present it to your target audience. You have to make sure that the document is free from grammatical and formatting errors so you can develop a presentable discussion that will work best to your advantage. If possible, ask for the insights and recommendations of professionals or experts.

Make sure to make the most out of the downloadable references that we have listed in this post just for you. Browse through and download our printable business case analysis examples in PDF so you can be well-guided once you plan to start the development of your own organization’s business case analysis.

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    Just like a business systems analysis, a business case analysis should also be detailed and comprehensive so that it will be highly beneficial to the organization and its stakeholders. Business Financial Plan Template Examples - PDF. Bowtie Risk Analysis Examples - PDF. Develop a thorough business case analysis with the help of the ...