How to Write Great Business Cases

Offering a step-by-step guide on how to write an impactful decision-based teaching case for business education, this book aids in the creation of resources that will be essential for an academic curriculum. It demonstrates how the case and teaching note can be prepared and presented for a successful submission to publishers.

How to Write Great Business Cases
provides concise case writing guidance applicable to case writers from any business discipline. It covers the core elements of writing a decision-based case such as interviews and case testing. Ultimately, readers of this essential book will be taught how to write an engaging business case that will pique students’ interests.



This accessible book will be perfect for novice case writers endeavouring to succeed in the case writing process, with particular focus applied to North American case writing opportunities. It will additionally be beneficial for experienced case researchers as well as academics of business and management wishing to enrich their practice and author further publications.

How to Write Great Business Cases delivers just what its title promises—a practical guide to crafting cases that engage students and instructors’ manuals that show how to meet learning objectives in the classroom. Useful for both new and experienced writers, this book covers it all, from selecting a topic to getting your case published."

-Anne T. Lawrence, PhD Chair, Case Research Foundation, US

‘How to Write Great Business Cases is a comprehensive, yet easy to read guide that can be used as a quick reference, as well as an introduction to case writing. It will prove useful to those authors new to the scholarship of business cases, as well as previously published case authors.’
– John D. Varlaro, Johnson & Wales University and Past President, the North American Case Research Association (NACRA), US

‘Teaching cases are a frequently underappreciated, and often misunderstood, genre of academic literature. It is hard for newcomers to apprehend what goes into writing an effective case and Instructor Manual. This book provides a straight-to-the-point practical introduction to case writing that is priceless for new case writers. Well-published case writers will also find this work a useful resource for honing their craft. The authors have distilled decades of case writing learning and wisdom into a book worth owning, that includes a case writing step-by-step process from beginning to end, with many actionable ideas. Easy to read and digest, this book is a must-read for all those interested in a rigorous approach to the case method. It also provides valuable leads and pointers to connect with the buoyant growing global case writing community.’
– Maria A. Ballesteros-Sola, California State University Channel Islands, US

‘How to Write Great Business Cases is a fantastic resource for any case researcher, regardless of experience. This extremely thorough and comprehensive book provides readers everything they need to get their case writing projects off the ground and to improve their existing skills. I am especially impressed with the value provided through practical, usable tips for case writers. High level and big picture is prevalent throughout the book, but it is the details that really set it apart. I have, in the past, considered the idea of writing a book on how to write a case, and now, because this one exists, I don’t see the need.’
– Eric Dolansky, Editor Case Research Journal, Brock University, Canada

‘Through accessible writing, illustrative examples, and in-depth research, Schnarr and Woodwark offer case writers of all levels a timely, substantial, and up-to-date guide to making an even greater scholarly and practical impact through business cases. I applaud their work an
d encourage its widespread usage.’
– Michael M. Goldman, University of San Francisco, US