Key Tips for Success in Case Analysis Exercises at Assessment Centers

One of the most popular exercises conducted by assessment centers and companies for participants is undoubtedly case analysis. In case analysis, as the name suggests, a case example (likely fictional) from a different sector, various tables related to the case, data obtained from market research, various survey results, customer testimonials, important information about competitors, sector and market dynamics are shared. Based on this data, you may be asked to analyze the case within a specified time frame, present a written report about the case, or prepare a presentation orally (the scope of delivery is always specified in the instructions).

In case analysis, participants take on a role within a department of a fictional company based on the shared data. They are expected to fulfill tasks such as making decisions on important issues concerning the company's future, demonstrating a strategic approach, determining actions to be taken on the path to solving a problem within a time plan, and sharing their approach in the required format.

Case analysis requires evaluating both qualitative and quantitative data to make recommendations, identify issues, and take action; thus, it is an exercise where many competencies can be demonstrated. It allows the evaluator to observe you particularly in the following competencies:

Analytical Thinking

Strategical Thinking

Problem Solving

Decision Making

Strategic Thinking

Numerical and Business Awareness

Effective Communication and Presentation

Flexibility

Analytical Thinking

Demonstrating analytical thinking competency is crucial in converting data such as market dynamics, competitive information, and market research results shared in case analyses into meaningful and usable insights, making evidence-based decisions, conducting root cause analyses, and guiding strategies accordingly.

It's equally important to verbally articulate this competency during case analyses. For example, presenting your analyses and conclusions in terms of approach and method to evaluators will serve as evidence that this competency is actively observed. To give a simple example, if you identified two potential growth sources to increase total sales performance in a case: achieving a 15% growth in online sales (100,000,000 1.15 = 115,000,000 TL) and a 20% growth in store sales (500,000,000 1.2 = 600,000,000 TL), you projected the company's overall growth to be approximately 19.2% one year later (from 600,000,000 TL to 715,000,000 TL). Thus, demonstrating your thought process and expressing it in simple terms is crucial.

Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking involves the ability to analyze data, draw logical conclusions, and effectively utilize these conclusions. To demonstrate in case analysis, you should follow a logical and coherent thought process when evaluating the provided information. For example, when analyzing a company's sales data, you should conduct a comprehensive evaluation considering not only the current situation but also possible future scenarios. This demonstrates both your critical thinking ability and your strategic planning skills.

For instance, from market trend analyses, you can identify which products might become more popular and show upward trends in the future, carefully examine customer feedback—especially through market research or survey results—to determine why certain products are more in demand and where improvements are needed. By examining data related to competition, you can assess how your competitors are performing in various products, interpret your product's position in the competition (SWOT analysis, market share analysis, product pricing strategies), and identify necessary corrective actions. You can pinpoint not only today's problems but also future growth opportunities that need attention from these analyses. As you can see, you can correlate elements from various different data and base your decisions on these data.

Decision Making

You've conducted excellent analyses, connected the data together, and derived meaningful insights. You've strategically determined the steps to take, your action plans, and identified relevant departments, scheduling them in a timeline. However, unless you reach a decision, all these findings will not go beyond methodology, planning, and organization. Within the framework of tasks expected of you in case analysis, sharing your decisions in an understandable, argument-supported, and actionable manner is crucial. The background and rationale behind the decision, details of the decision, expected effects, communication strategy, implementation, evaluation/measurement, flexibility for modification if needed, and corrective actions in case of failure should all be addressed.

For example, in the decision-making stage regarding a new application development in the banking sector, presenting your decision process considering the following steps will help you demonstrate your decision-making competency effectively:

During the analysis of your case, you evaluated customer feedback, market research data, and technological requirements. You identified that the current mobile banking application does not sufficiently meet customer needs, leading to a decrease in customer satisfaction. Furthermore, you indicated the need for an innovative and user-friendly application in a competitive market.

Based on your arguments and analyses, you decided to develop a new application because this option can better meet customer needs and align more closely with the bank's long-term strategic goals.

In conclusion, you will be evaluated objectively in the assessment center based on what you say and observable behaviors. Therefore, it's crucial to articulate your thought process, approach to problems, and decisions clearly, understandably, and in detail. When detailing your competencies, it's essential to demonstrate how your mind works to your evaluator. Don't forget to explain why you recommend something and how you reached a conclusion.

Author: Elif İlknur Tüzün

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