Case Study Deliverables are due on Wednesday, October 30 at 11:59 PM ET

Submit your deliverables via this form (this form will be posted on Monday, October 28)

How to prepare your deliverables

Students are asked to submit two deliverables:

1. A presentation (a deck and a recorded 7-minute) presentation

2. A case study analysis report

Below, find information on how to approach your case study. Following that is information on what to include in your case study report and presentation.

Case study analysis requires an investigation to a problem. Then, examine the alternative solutions. Next, propose the most effective solution using supporting evidence.

Suggestions for Approaching Your Case Study Report and Deck

Tips for Writing a Case Study Report:

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure that the report is clear and concise, avoiding unnecessary jargon or overly complex language.

• Evidence-Based: Back up claims and recommendations with data and evidence.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure the report is well-organized, free of typographical errors, and follows a logical flow.

• Visual Aids: Utilize charts, graphs, and tables to illustrate points and make data easier to understand.

By following these components, your case study report will be well-structured and comprehensive, making it easier for reviewers to follow your analysis and recommendations.

There are myriad perspectives on how to approach a case study. Below are a guides from different perspectives to help you develop your approach:

• Adobe’s How to write a case study (marketing perspective)

• University of Southern California: Writing a Case Study LibGuide (social sciences perspective)

• University of Arizona: Writing a Case Study Analysis (business perspective)

Deliverables

Presentation Deck

Your presentation deck should include, at minimum, six slides that address the following sections: 

• Problem Statement & Information Perspective 

• Methodology

• Analysis

• Alternatives

• Recommendations

• Implementation Plan

Specific guidance on the development of each of these sections can be found in the report description below. Your slide deck will need to be delivered in seven minutes, so choose your content wisely, use graphics and visualization to tell your story instead of words, and practice several times.

Consider the HBR How to Give a Killer Presentation for guidance

Or, view other U-M student’s Innovation in Action presentations for examples of student presentations to consider in the development of your own.

Report

A comprehensive case study report generally includes several key components to ensure it is thorough, logically structured, and presents a clear analysis. 

The Report Content  should not exceed five pages. The entire document should be formatted like a professional report (and not an academic paper).

Here are the expected components:

1. Cover Page (1 page)

• Title of the Case Study

• Team Name and Member Names

• Date of Submission

• Affiliated Institution or Organization

• Table of Contents

2. Executive Summary (1 page)

• Brief overview of the case

• Key findings

• Summary of recommendations

• Most crucial points, written concisely

3. Report Content (5 Pages)

A. Problem Statement 

• Background information on the case statement provided

• Explanation of the main issues or problems to be addressed

• Purpose and objectives of the case study

• Clear and concise statement of the core problem(s) or challenge(s) faced

• Statement on how your approach relates to the field of Information

B. Methodology

• Supporting evidence and data to outline the problem contextually

• Description of how the data was collected and analyzed

• Sources of information (e.g., primary data, secondary data, interviews, surveys)

• Citations must be included in the text and listed on a final references page

C. Analysis

• Detailed analysis of the problem using relevant theories, models, and frameworks (e.g., SWOT Analysis, PESTEL Analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, etc.)

• Presentation of findings and insights drawn from the analysis

D. Alternatives

• Identification of possible alternative solutions or strategies

• Evaluation of each alternative, including pros and cons

• Criteria for evaluating the alternatives (feasibility, cost, impact, etc.)

E. Recommendations

• Recommended course of action based on the analysis and evaluation of alternatives

• Justification for why the chosen solution is the best option

• Detailed implementation plan, including steps, timeline, and responsible individuals or teams

F. Implementation Plan

• Detailed plan for how the recommendations will be put into action

• Short-term and long-term actions

• Resource allocation (financial, human, technical)

• Key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure success

4. Appendices

• Acknowledgements (optional)

• Recognition of anyone who assisted in the preparation of the case study

• Any supplementary material that supports the report (e.g., interview transcripts, additional data tables, charts)

• Detailed calculations or technical analysis

• Any other relevant documents

• References

• List of all sources cited in the report

• Proper citation format as specified (e.g., APA, MLA, Harvard)