Case Study Template: Structure, Format, and Writing Guide
Free case study templates for academic and business use. Covers problem statement, analysis framework, findings, and recommendations—with examples for Harvard Business School and academic formats.
A case study is an in-depth examination of a specific instance—a company, individual, event, or phenomenon—to draw broader insights or test a theory. Case study templates differ by discipline: business school case studies emphasize decision-making and recommendations; academic case studies emphasize theoretical framework and generalizability.
Academic Case Study Structure
Standard academic case study sections: (1) Title and Abstract—brief overview of the case, research question, key finding; (2) Introduction—context for the case, why this case is significant, research question or analytical focus; (3) Theoretical Framework—the lens through which you'll analyze the case (e.g., institutional theory, grounded theory, social learning theory); (4) Case Description—detailed factual account of the case; who, what, when, where; (5) Analysis—applying your theoretical framework to the case data; identifying patterns, themes, anomalies; (6) Discussion—what does this case illuminate? How does it relate to existing theory? What are the limits of generalization? (7) Conclusion—key takeaways, contribution to the literature, recommendations for future research; (8) References.
Business Case Study Template (HBS Format)
Harvard Business School case analysis format: (1) Problem Identification—what is the central decision or problem the protagonist faces? State it in one sentence. (2) Situational Analysis—internal factors (SWOT: strengths, weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities, threats, competitive environment, industry dynamics); (3) Alternatives—identify 2–3 realistic courses of action; don't include obviously bad options or straw men; (4) Criteria for Evaluation—what factors matter most for evaluating the alternatives? (financial impact, strategic fit, implementation feasibility, risk); (5) Analysis of Alternatives—evaluate each option against your criteria; use evidence from the case; (6) Recommendation—which alternative do you recommend? Why? Be specific and decisive; (7) Implementation Plan—concrete steps to execute the recommendation; timeline, responsibilities, resource requirements.
Case Study Analysis Tips
Read the case twice: First pass—understand the situation, characters, and events. Second pass—identify the core problem, supporting data, and analytical opportunities. Distinguish symptoms from problems: A company's declining revenue is a symptom; the cause (product-market fit failure, competitive encroachment, operational inefficiency) is the problem. Don't ignore quantitative data: Most cases include financial statements, market data, or survey results—use them. Qualitative analysis supported by numbers is much stronger than narrative alone. State your recommendation clearly: The most common case study weakness is wishy-washy recommendations ("the company should consider possibly exploring..."). State what you recommend and defend it. Time management in case exams: Spend 20% of the time reading and planning, 60% writing analysis, 20% reviewing and strengthening recommendations.
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