Case Study Report
Prepared by University of Guelph

Overview

Getting started is often the most challenging part of the writing process. Assignments can feel daunting and unfamiliar at first. Breaking larger projects into smaller, more manageable tasks can help you reduce stress and produce a report that is complete and polished.

What Should You Look For in Your Assignment Instructions?

Once you are given a case study assignment you might be tempted to jump right in and start reading the case and writing up your case report. But taking some time to carefully read through the assignment—before you start—is one of the most important things you can do.

The following provides a summary of what key information to look for in your assignment, such due dates, required tasks, formatting requirements, grading criteria, presentation component, research requirements and citation format.

When Is It Due?

• You will want to mark the due date in your calendar and take note of other assignments or activities you have during that time.
• Find out how you are expected to submit the assignment (for example, using an online dropbox or handing it in at class).

What Am I Being Asked To Do?

For example, you may be asked to do the following:

1. Identify: Recognize or name a concept or object. For example, identify the internal strengths and weaknesses of the organization as well as the external opportunities and threats that are relevant to the organization.
2. Apply: Explain how a concept or theory works in a specific context. For example, apply the organizational life cycle stages to the organization in order to identify their current stage of evolution as well as any associated crises.
3. Analyze: Examine the parts of a concept and explain how they work together. For example, take the following SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats) analysis information and use that information to create three mutually exclusive recommendations in order to make the organization more financially stable.
4. Evaluate: Provide an assessment (e.g., good, fair, poor) and support your opinion with explanation and evidence. For example, evaluate each of the following three alternatives based on your understanding of the organization discussed in the case and select the one best alternative for solving the problem at hand.

What Should The Report Look Like?

Case report and presentation formats will vary from course to course. Be sure to find out about the following:

• Word or page limit
• Fonts
• Margins
• Referencing style (e.g., APA, MLA)
• Cover page elements and layout
• Table of contents requirements

How Am I Being Graded?

Pay special attention to how marks will be allocated across the different sections of the report and presentation, and allocate your time accordingly. For example, if the analysis section is worth 20% and the introduction only 5%, be sure to focus more of your time and effort on the analysis.

Am I Required To Use Sources?

If you are asked to use sources, find out what kinds of sources are needed, such as journals, books, or reports.

Is There A Presentation Component?

There may also be a case study report presentation component for your assignment, which may include the following guidelines:

• Presentation length—practice to make sure you aren’t going over time
• Visual aids or media required
• Expectations about using (or not using) notes or cue cards
• Question and answer period length
• Referencing style
• Deadline

How to analyze your case study assignment instructions

Assignment

Imagine you have read an assigned case and you are given the assignment below:

Identify and analyze the internal strengths and weaknesses of the organization in the case as well as the external opportunities and threats that are relevant to the organization.

Question 1: What key verbs tell you what to do?

Reveal Answer

Question 2: What are the key tasks of the assignment?

Reveal Answer

The following are common pitfalls students make when writing a case study report:

1. Pitfall: Making assumptions or generalizing based on the industry or type of organization. Stick to the facts of the case, rather than giving your own opinion or commentary.
2. Pitfall: Including irrelevant information. Remember, your job is to help identify strengths and address weaknesses. Avoid going on tangents about the company’s history or other details unless they directly relate to the problem at hand.

Whether you are working on your case study report assignment as an individual or with group members, developing a project plan and schedule is a great way to stay on track and on time with your project.

Here is one suggested breakdown for a typical case study assignment

1. Review the assignment and identify key tasks. Clarify any questions with the instructor
2. Review the case and take notes
3. Gather sources from the library
4. Conduct research and analysis
5. Draft Analysis section
6. Draft Alternatives and Decision Criteria
7. Draft Recommendations
8. Draft Implementation Plan
9. Draft Introduction
10. Draft Conclusion
11. Draft Executive summary
12. Prepare References page
13. Prepare cover page and table of contents