CASE STUDY SHAPE

The shape of a case study is different from that of an article. In an article, you are typically taking a topic and developing a discussion in terms of background, present situation and possible future developments. On the other hand, a case study examines a practical problem experienced by a named organisation, describes the solution and how it was arrived at, and details the benefits provided by the solution.

The shape of a typical case study will, therefore, look something like this:

Title. This attracts reader attention and indicates the theme of the case study.

By-line. It could be as for an article, but this is unlikely; by-lines are not often used in case studies. This is not necessarily a Bad Thing, because without a by-line the study can look as if it was written by an independent journalist employed by the publication. However, an author’s name may be mentioned in the:

Introduction. Two or three lines expanding the title theme. It might include a reference to the author, such as ‘Charles Brown looks at an organisation that...’ or similar.

First section. Sets the scene. Describe the organisation being studied – what it does, how big it is, anything particularly interesting about it, etc.

Second section. Introduces the problem it had. Go from the general to the particular. First, outline the nature of the problem; then give details of what was happening, and the negative impact it was having.

Third section. The build-up to the crunch point – the moment when it was decided that the problem had to be solved. Any particular event(s) which prompted that decision.

Fourth section. How the organisation went about tackling the problem to arrive at a solution. What the solution was.

Fifth section. Detail the solution and how it was implemented.

Last paragraph or two. Detail the benefits the organisation has gained from the solution. Include positive quotations from members of the organisation’s staff wherever possible.

Conclusion. Could be an upbeat (but believable!) quote by the customer summing up the overall benefits: ‘Yes, the change to x was an upheaval, but the extra business we’ve gained has more than justified...’ or something on those lines. However, if you can’t come up with a neat, crisp conclusion, best leave it out.