Case Template

This template will help guide you through the case-writing process. (Print written tutorial, and see other resources at left column for more detail and judging criteria.) A case is really just a structured story that is morphed a bit to allow for classroom learning. In writing your case:

- REMEMBER TO SAVE FREQUENTLY.
- Minimum word count is 500, maximum is 1500. If you have more to say, link to blog posts and/or write a “b” case and link to it in the appendix.
- Remember to indent or put a space between sections and format.
- Add hyperlinks where it will enhance the learning experience.
- See left column for tutorials and more detail, the below is a quick and dirty.
- To PREVIEW your case you will need to SAVE first.
- If you are stuck and want to request virtual coaching, email our learning community manager – Achin – at support@HotMommasProject.org.
- To access cases you’ve stared, login and see “My cases” (upper right of site)
- Sometimes it helps to go “backwards” through the case, first deciding on major issues/discussion questions, then writing the case.

Cases written to date are at http://www.hotmommasproject.org/casebrowse.aspx
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Hot Mommas Project cases have 4 main parts. We do this because research shows us it works. Keep headers in bold, delete all else.

1. Introduction [Delete the number “1” and these notes and replace with your own text] Introduce the protagonist and hint at professional and personal challenge set forth in more detail later in the case. Introductions usually start with story.

2. Background [Delete the number “2” and these notes and replace with your own text] Go back to a time when you had an “ah ha” moment re: being motivated/a leader/etc. For some it was choosing not to get involved with the “wrong crowd”, for others it was a positive experience running for school office. This helps students identify with you then….before you take it up to now…which is the second part within the background section. Take the reader to the present day (or time in which the case is set), and – on the way there - touch on any additional significant personal or professional experiences from which they could learn. (E.g. if you are going to ask a discussion question about mentoring, take a sentence or two to explain the importance of/or lack of mentoring in your background).

3. Professional issue [Delete the number “3” and these notes and replace with your own text] All of that gets us to “today” (or whatever time it is in the case. What is the professional/business issue? Is it marketing in a challenging economy? Is it growth? Lay out the issue as if you were speaking with a group of student consultants.. (Link to relevant articles/good readings in appendix and/or hyperlink in the case).

4. Personal issue [Delete the number “4” and these notes and replace with your own text] Transition the reader over to the protagonist’s personal realm. What is the challenge there? Stressed? No balance? Family situation? Personal issue? What is the other side of the coin here? Be real with students about the battles that are fought outside the workplace. Transition out of the case with a wrap up which makes the reader think, right along with the case protagonist.

Wrap up with intriguing question. It does not have to be wrapped up with a nice little bow with everything figured out.

Discussion questions and appendices follow. Discussion questions have teaching notes for educators. Teaching notes are your perspective on the question. Sample cases, particularly the “Kathy/Kate” sample case can help with this. Appendices: The best ones provide links to articles and notes to give students something to dig into and ponder as well as comb for data. Example: A discussion question that says “Review the notes and links…given this, what would you recommend?” can be stronger than “What do you recommend?” only.
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How you can help the Hot Mommas Project: We are trying to teach students. If we do that, it will increase the chances of a case study being used in a classroom. Educators will typically go for the PROFESSIONAL issue as their primary driver in picking a case. Making this very clear, almost as if you were trying to fit in with what you could imagine as a textbook chapter, will help. At the Hot Mommas Project, we are “sneaking in” personal and background because we know it helps with retention and role modeling.

In general:

1. Teach the reader something (what HAS worked, what HAS been successful?)
2. But also hold something back (this approach had worked in the past, but, now it was time for a new approach) so the reader can use their brain. The discussion questions focus on these points.
3. Add your own special touch. Let the reader get to know you.

Hope this helps. Email us if you need virtual coaching! Support@HotMommasProject.org First come, first served!