How to write up your case study

The following structure is commonly used for case study reports.

Note:

An analytical case study will include only sections 1-5.
A problem-solving case study will include all sections 1-8.

- For the title of your assignment include the phrase ‘case study’ and name the organisation and/or case.
- Include your name.
- Check the task instructions and include any other required information.
- Provide a table of contents [TOC] with section headings and corresponding page numbers. Where possible, use the TOC function of your word processor to create this page.
- Brief background to the company and an outline of its problems.
- Summary of report, proposed solutions and recommendations.
- Note assumptions you make, limitations and any theory relied on in the report.
The outline of the case should be brief, giving background and the issues you address. Also give a summary of your case report, noting the major problems identified, the theories used, and your recommended solutions. You will not necessarily have all the information you would like, so you may need to make some assumptions.
Generally, the executive summary is no longer than one page.
- Identification and analysis of problems, including underlying causes.
- Integration of theory and case evidence.
In this section, you should identify all the major problems in the case. Highlight the underlying causes of problems, not just the symptoms. Check the task instructions or seek advice from your lecturer or tutor on the layout of this information. Link each problem you identify to relevant theory and to evidence from the case.
Remember to cite and reference all of the ideas and concepts from the theory you use in your work. Access citing and referencing advice if you are unsure about how to integrate other sources.
- Clear, concise statement of major problems that your case study will solve.
In most case studies, you will identify a number of problems. Most likely, there will be too many to actually solve in the number of words allowed. Hence, it is important to state clearly which are the two or three most significant problems that must be solved first and why. Therefore, this section states which problems you are going to solve. It defines the scope of your case study.
Having identified the main problems, you can check back to ensure that you are actually attempting to solve them, and not some other minor problems you identified. This section is crucial to a good case report.
- *This section is not included in an analytical case study.
- Outline potential solutions that address the main problems.
- Provide an evaluation of each solution.
While most problems will have many possible solutions, it is your task to identify and evaluate the most appropriate. Consider two or three possible solutions for each major problem identified. Briefly outline each solution, and then evaluate its advantages and disadvantages. Ensure that you link the relevant theory you discussed in Section 4 to the solutions you suggest. Also, justify and evaluate solutions by considering their practicality and suitability to the case study context. Focus on evaluation in this section; you will state your preferred solution in the next section.
- *This section is not included in an analytical case study.
- Clear statement identifying which of the solutions from section 6 you recommend, and why.
- Justification for your recommendations using theory and course concepts.
- Explain how your recommended solutions should solve the problems of the case.
- *This section is not included in an analytical case study.
- Actions to actually implement the recommended solutions, i.e. Who, When, How, and potentially Cost.
In this section, you should specifically explain how you will implement the recommended solutions. Theory alone cannot be implemented; you must translate it into actions. This includes explaining what should be done, by whom, when, in what sequence, what it will cost (rough estimates), and any other issues you identify. The task requirements will outline the level of detail expected in this section. Note, if a recommended solution cannot be realistically implemented, then it is no solution at all.
This will contain an alphabetical list by author name of all the references you have cited in the body of the report. Do not include details of any sources you have not cited. Ensure the style is correct and consistent with the APA publication manual as outlined in the Monash University APA library guide.
If you need to include any supplementary documents, add them to the appendices.
Checklist: make sure your case study report does the following:
- Identifies, analyses, and (possibly) resolves the key problems involved in the case. Don’t simply repeat what the textbook and case information has stated.
- Remains consistent, i.e. if you are required to apply the ‘problem solving approach’, do not say ‘X’ is the major problem and then recommend a solution to ‘Y’.
- Applies relevant theory, especially in sections 4, 6 and 7.
- Addresses all of the required questions.
- Includes all the necessary sections.
- Cites and references all sources appropriately.

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