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The Case Study Handbook: A Student's Guide
The guide all MBAs and exec ed students need.
If you're enrolled in an MBA or executive education program, you've probably encountered a powerful learning the business case. But if you're like many people, you may find interpreting and writing about cases mystifying and time-consuming. In The Case Study Handbook, Revised Edition, William Ellet presents a potent new approach for efficiently analyzing, discussing, and writing about cases. Early chapters show how to classify cases according to the analytical task they require (making a decision, performing an evaluation, or diagnosing a problem) and quickly establish a base of knowledge about a case. Strategies and templates, in addition to several sample Harvard Business School cases, help you apply the author's framework. Later in the book, Ellet shows how to write persuasive case-analytical essays based on the process laid out earlier. Examples of effective writing further reinforce the methods. The book also includes a chapter on how to talk about cases more effectively in class. Any current or prospective MBA or executive education student needs this guide.
If you're enrolled in an MBA or executive education program, you've probably encountered a powerful learning the business case. But if you're like many people, you may find interpreting and writing about cases mystifying and time-consuming. In The Case Study Handbook, Revised Edition, William Ellet presents a potent new approach for efficiently analyzing, discussing, and writing about cases. Early chapters show how to classify cases according to the analytical task they require (making a decision, performing an evaluation, or diagnosing a problem) and quickly establish a base of knowledge about a case. Strategies and templates, in addition to several sample Harvard Business School cases, help you apply the author's framework. Later in the book, Ellet shows how to write persuasive case-analytical essays based on the process laid out earlier. Examples of effective writing further reinforce the methods. The book also includes a chapter on how to talk about cases more effectively in class. Any current or prospective MBA or executive education student needs this guide.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2018
152 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 11, 2019
If you don't know what you are looking for, you won't find it.
Most cases illustrate one of three core scenarios:
-The need to make a critical decision and potentially persuade other characters in the case to accept
-The need to perform an in-depth evaluation that lays out the pros and cons or strengths and weaknesses of the subject of the case need to perform
-A comprehensive problem diagnosis that identifies the root causes of a problem described in the case
The critical question of the reading process is, What do I need to know to accomplish what the main character has to do or to resolve the major uncertainty
In business, numbers have meaning only in a specific context. Without the context, they’re simply numbers.
A decision is only as good as its implementation. A smart decision can be undermined by poor implementation.
Implementation is critical because a great decision will be defeated by a poor action plan.
Those long hours will just make you sleepy, not more knowledgeable
another reason for becoming involved early is that to learn how to be a good participant, you must participate.
When you write about a case, you need to be concerned about four things:
1. The question you’ve been asked
2. How to read and analyze a case
3. How to organize your writing about a case
4. How to write clearly, concisely, and correctly
So, when you use numbers in an argument, make sure you tell your readers what they mean and how they’re relevant to your position.
Most cases illustrate one of three core scenarios:
-The need to make a critical decision and potentially persuade other characters in the case to accept
-The need to perform an in-depth evaluation that lays out the pros and cons or strengths and weaknesses of the subject of the case need to perform
-A comprehensive problem diagnosis that identifies the root causes of a problem described in the case
The critical question of the reading process is, What do I need to know to accomplish what the main character has to do or to resolve the major uncertainty
In business, numbers have meaning only in a specific context. Without the context, they’re simply numbers.
A decision is only as good as its implementation. A smart decision can be undermined by poor implementation.
Implementation is critical because a great decision will be defeated by a poor action plan.
Those long hours will just make you sleepy, not more knowledgeable
another reason for becoming involved early is that to learn how to be a good participant, you must participate.
When you write about a case, you need to be concerned about four things:
1. The question you’ve been asked
2. How to read and analyze a case
3. How to organize your writing about a case
4. How to write clearly, concisely, and correctly
So, when you use numbers in an argument, make sure you tell your readers what they mean and how they’re relevant to your position.
March 28, 2021
It is often that you find confused with too many problem solving frameworks, business frameworks, and case categories that fail to put them in a coherent perspective. The distilled experience with case studies by the author helps you crack difficult cases no matter your background.
The first book I read that effectively tackle the all-important reading/analysis of cases (Harvard style). The 8 steps proposed to tackle each case is not intuitive in its language, and should be linked more to the useful study guide.
The first book I read that effectively tackle the all-important reading/analysis of cases (Harvard style). The 8 steps proposed to tackle each case is not intuitive in its language, and should be linked more to the useful study guide.
April 22, 2021
Sách oke, nếu ko đọc trc thì dễ bị lost khi bị ném cho 1 cái case dài mấy chục trang (Ko liên quan lắm nhưng quyển sách đánh dấu lần đầu cũng như lần cuối thì MT để học hỏi xem các em như nào. Thì xong thấy ầu tưởng đâu gặp nhiệt huyết tuổi trẻ, cuối cùng cảm giác gánh team như đại học. Được cái lại gặp 1 bạn giỏi, làm mh bất ngờ hết lần này đến lần khác + học đc ở bạn sự an tĩnh ~~ =))) that’s all)
June 12, 2019
This book is informative, but the author tried to explain clearly enough for readers to comprehend.
This book is suitable for those who want to proceed to study a case study on your own. It contains theories, three case examples as well as intensive analyses and clear instructions for writing them. I really appreciate useful advice the author recommended in the chapter for discussing cases in class which I often feel difficult to participate.
Reading this baby requires lots of efforts and persistence, but it more than pays off. Go find out!
This book is suitable for those who want to proceed to study a case study on your own. It contains theories, three case examples as well as intensive analyses and clear instructions for writing them. I really appreciate useful advice the author recommended in the chapter for discussing cases in class which I often feel difficult to participate.
Reading this baby requires lots of efforts and persistence, but it more than pays off. Go find out!
December 30, 2021
Pretty clear examples for reading through and writing out case-based analysis essays. Seeing as it was a student guide, I understand the need to have a brief 3 cases but I think it would've been better served online to include additional cases, maybe relevant to digital transformation.
Otherwise, many helpful nuggets for establishing and writing to frameworks, dependent on the case types and specific cases.
Otherwise, many helpful nuggets for establishing and writing to frameworks, dependent on the case types and specific cases.
February 18, 2024
Very helpful for students who are new to the case study methodology.
The book will explain how to approach each of the 3 main types of cases with clear steps and an example for each.
The book provides a total of 3 case studies to illustrate its approach and a framework for each case type that can be reused for any case.
I found it very helpful, this was exactly what I was looking for .
The book will explain how to approach each of the 3 main types of cases with clear steps and an example for each.
The book provides a total of 3 case studies to illustrate its approach and a framework for each case type that can be reused for any case.
I found it very helpful, this was exactly what I was looking for .
July 4, 2025
one of the school readings that was decent, so logging it for the mems.
although i would only recommend this book to someone writing/interested in writing case studies... i can’t imagine anyone else would find it entertaining.
it’s nothing groundbreaking, but given the million perspectives and takes on writing case studies, this one was the most digestible.
although i would only recommend this book to someone writing/interested in writing case studies... i can’t imagine anyone else would find it entertaining.
it’s nothing groundbreaking, but given the million perspectives and takes on writing case studies, this one was the most digestible.
October 4, 2025
giống một cẩm nang cho sinh viên trên lớp hơn là người tự học ở nhà
giải case có thể liên quan tới cả về HR, quản trị sự thay đổi (dùng cái khung 8 bước của Kotter)
đọc 2/3 cuốn sách và vẫn không hiểu ý tưởng chủ đạo của quyển này nà dì
case phân tích Malaysia
cuốn này có vẻ không trình bày cách problem-solving mà là kiểu, bạn nên học case trên trường lớp rồi trình bày ra sao
giải case có thể liên quan tới cả về HR, quản trị sự thay đổi (dùng cái khung 8 bước của Kotter)
đọc 2/3 cuốn sách và vẫn không hiểu ý tưởng chủ đạo của quyển này nà dì
case phân tích Malaysia
cuốn này có vẻ không trình bày cách problem-solving mà là kiểu, bạn nên học case trên trường lớp rồi trình bày ra sao
October 13, 2018
The case study handbook provides a concise methodology for learning by case studies. It is a valuable resource for the MBA student. More so, it is a logical method to identify and provide solutions to complex business problems.
August 3, 2022
A great desktop reference for working case problems and discussions in a business school program. The book gives you a concise method for typifying then picking apart a case. I feel like these guidelines could even help lend clarity of thought to many situations you encounter in life.
April 14, 2023
This book contains useful lists of questions, frameworks and items that are aplicable to the study of any case.
I would recomend this book to anyone that is antsy about working with cases and would like to show up prepared.
I would recomend this book to anyone that is antsy about working with cases and would like to show up prepared.
October 9, 2019
IT HELPFULL
August 8, 2020
I used this book to maximize the method of Harvard and it was really worthy to read
January 2, 2022
Practical insights for analysing, evaluating and diagnosing problems. I use them all the time at the Uni and at work.
I attribute getting A's in several of my classes to this book.
I attribute getting A's in several of my classes to this book.
March 3, 2022
I really liked the input you get to improve your case discussion and writing, it is really helpful. I feel like the book could have been more concise, but overall a very useful book.
May 3, 2022
Loved the book. The frameworks, the case solving structure was absolutely what I desired from this book. Anyone eager to learn case solving should read this book.
November 19, 2022
Mind blowing book. An absolute must-read for any post-grad.
June 14, 2023
Helpful and practical. Waking up my brain 🧠
A bit repetitive and could be more concise
A bit repetitive and could be more concise
May 31, 2020
This book is an amazing guide about how to write a case study and understand the importance of these papers. I highly recommend this book to students. It can become your personal guide. You can also hire professional writers from the list case study services you can hire online and they will show you how to complete case study papers. But now I can combine my own abilities with the knowledge and experience of professional writers.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews