Written Analysis of the Case (WAC) Format

I – Executive Summary
This part presents an overview on what the case study is about, aside from the profile of the company or individual
that is involved in the study. This should be limited to only one (1) paragraph.

II – Industry Analysis
Threat of Substitutes
o New or emerging substitutes for a product will change competitive forces. This can be influenced by things such
as the costs and profitability of the substitute product, how easy it is to crossover to the substitute product, and
how well does the substitute product perform relative to the existing product.
Threat of New Entrants
o An industry with low barriers of entry will invariably have intense competition as opposed to an industry with
major barriers of entry. Barriers of entry can include: High capital investments; Deep rooted brand appeal; Strong
government regulation; Switching costs.
Rivalry Among Competitors
o An industry with low barriers of entry will invariably have intense competition as opposed to an industry with
major barriers of entry.
Threat of Buyer Power
o Customers (including distributors and other types of buyers) often influence what happens within an industry.
Threat of Supplier Power
o Basic inputs for a product or service are subject to control by suppliers, such as control over prices or availability.
III – Problem Statement
General (The Real Problem):
Specific (Reason/s that Cause/s the Real Problem):
This part presents the problems indicated in the case study. One must present only one (1) general problem that
covers the case as a whole. There is no limit as to the specific problems that would be highlighted in this paper.

IV – Objectives of the Study

General:
Specific:
This presents the ultimate goal of this paper in addressing a case study. There should be only one (1) general
objective. There is no limit as to the specific objectives that would be highlighted in this paper. However, the specific
objectives should be drafted based on the specific problems stated.

V – Situational Analysis
A. SWOT
A.1. Internal Factor Analysis Summary (IFAS)
Weighted
Internal Factors Weight Rating Comments
Score
Strengths
S1: o
S2 o
S3: o
Total 50%
Weaknesses
W1: o
W2: o
W3: o
Total 50%
Grand Total 100%
Weaknesses: A score of 1 means that the company lacked management capabilities in addressing its weaknesses;
while a score of 5 means that the company is very much capable of minimizing the effect of their weaknesses.
The IFAS table tells how well the firm is responding generally to the factors in its internal environment. The better
positioned your firm’s resources are, the higher the rating will be. A score of three (3) would indicate neither well or
poorly positioned, just average. A number higher than three would mean that the business is doing well. A business
with an overall rating of five (5) would be responding to the respective environment in an outstanding way.
A.2. External Factor Analysis Summary (EFAS)
Weighted
External Factors Weight Rating Comments
Score
Opportunities
O1: o
O2: o
O3: o
Total 50%
Threats
T1: o
T2: o
T3: o
Total 50%
Grand Total 100%
An EFAS table helps us focus on some of the more relevant external factors, as it gives you another layer of analysis
by not only listing the factors but links them to strategy implementation by providing a rating. If you use it in
conjunction with the SWOT matrix, you will have a clear link to what strategies are worth considering for your
business.
Opportunities: A score of 1 means that the company lacked management capabilities in taking advantage of the
opportunities that are present in the location (city/country/region) at the time the case was made; while a score of
5 means that the company is very much capable of taking advantage of the existing opportunities.
Threats: A score of 1 means that the company lacked management capabilities in minimizing the effects of the
threats that are present in the location (city/country/region) at the time the case was made; while a score of 5
means that the company is very much capable of minimizing the effects of the existing threats.
An EFAS table helps provides a format for completing a synthesis of the factors from the external environment that
have been identified. The greater the impact, the higher the rating will be. A score of three (3) would indicate
neither positive nor negative impact, just average. A number higher than three would mean that the business is
doing well. A business with an overall rating of five (5) would be responding to the respective environment in an
outstanding way.
A.3. Strategic Factor Analysis Summary (SFAS)

Strategic Factors Effect on Policy Design and Implementation

S1: o
S2: o
W3: o
W4: o
O5: o
O6: o
T7: o
T8: o
In the SFAS table, you are to select the most important strengths/weaknesses from the IFAS table; and the most
important opportunities/threats from the EFAS table. Out of the selection, describe how each of these factors have
an impact on the way management crafts and implements policies.
A.4. SWOT Matrix

Strengths-Opportunities Strategic Options Weaknesses-Opportunities Strategic Options

(Offensive and Proactive Actions) (Defensive and Proactive Actions)
 This part presents the possible strategic options that the presenter can formulate out of the possible combinations
of the results of the internal (Strengths, Weaknesses) and external (Opportunities, Threats) environmental
assessment. There is no limit as to the number of possible strategic options that could be formulated.

VI – Strategic Alternatives
This part presents the courses of action conceptualized by the presenter based on the results of the analysis made.
The presenter is required to come up with a minimum of three (3) alternative courses of action so as to encourage
creative and critical thinking by exhausting all possible options. However, the presenter should first take note that
the abovementioned specific objectives should be taken into account in order to generate the kind of action to be
undertaken.
VII – Analysis and Conclusion
In the analysis stage, justifications should be discussed in narrative form as to the relevance of the ACA that is
proposed to the objectives established in the study.
Results of the score and implications of the alternative with the highest total score should be discussed, and
discussion should be limited to only one (1) paragraph only.
VIII – Recommendation to Management
This part presents the recommendation statement of the presenter highlighting the chosen ACA that best addresses
the main concern of the study. The presenter is expected to briefly discuss the reasons behind the recommended
ACA that an individual or a company must undertake and its short-term and long-term implications on resolving the
problems listed. Unforeseen events may occur during implementation phase of the alternative chosen. To this, the
next alternative would be recommended. The recommendation should be limited to only one (1) paragraph.
 APPLE INC., 2008

A Written Analysis of the Case

Presented to the Faculty of College of Business Administration

University of Southeastern Philippines

F. Iñigo Street, Obrero, 8000 Davao City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject

Production and Operations Management

JUAN A. DELA CRUZ

June 12, 20128

Sample Cover Page