Getting Started
Road Map for Case Writing
Writing a 20 page case (with an additional 5 to 10 pages of exhibits) usually takes between 125 and 175 hours. The Road Map for Case Writing charts out a typical process, so you have a sense of how much time each stage of the process takes.
Course and Case Objectives
Developing the focus of the case can be a challenge. Make sure you understand the objectives of the course the case is to be used in, and the managerial decisions to be covered in the course. Then, understand how your case will support the overall objectives of the course and the managerial decisions that your case will prompt students to assess.
Research into background information on the company and industry will help you to understand the context well enough to write the case. Remember the focus of your particular case: not all of the following elements will necessarily figure into your case. Download the Note for more detail on each area.
Research Assistance from Jackson Library
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- Opening paragraph/case introduction
- Industry background
- "Five Forces" analysis of a particular company
- Company operations and background
- Exhibit materials
Case Outline
To save time, outline your case using the Case Outline. This format helps you to structure the research and plan the writing process. Think about how long each section of the case should be in relation to others and work backwards from the faculty member's teaching questions to the information that needs to be included in the case to analyze the questions. Use exhibits to present data and refer to them from the text.
