Case study outlines

Your written case study doesn’t have to be fancy. Basically, you’re telling a story–the story of a client who came to you and how you helped them achieve their goals.

You can use the following outlines to guide you as you write your case study.

Case study outline 1: Long version

  1. Compelling title (usually a great quote from the person highlighted in the case study)
  2. Introduction
  3. Introduce the person/company being highlighted
    Talk about what they do, who they help, and what some of the great work they’ve done is
    Share a bit about how they managed their accounting before they came to you

  4. The problem
  5. Give more details about their accounting and the issues they face
    Write about what led them to understand they needed to make a change
    Share what their priorities were in finding a solution

  6. They meet you
  7. Write about how they heard about you
    If relevant, talk about whether they explored other options
    Talk about what made them decide to work with you

  8. The solution
  9. Write about the services you offer them
    Share about the benefits they’ve achieved working with you
    Talk about how easy the transition of working with you was

  10. The conclusion
  11. End with their thoughts on what it’s like to work with you; any advice they have for people in a similar situation
    Close with a strong quote from them to wrap it up

Case study outline 2: Short version

  1. Compelling title (usually a great quote from the person highlighted in the case study)
  2. Introduction
  3. Introduce the person/company being highlighted
    Talk about what they do, who they help, and what some of the great work they’ve done is
    Share a bit about how they managed their accounting before they came to you

  4. The solution
  5. Write about how they heard about you
    Write about the services you offer them
    Share about the benefits they’ve achieved working with you
    Talk about how easy the transition of working with you was

  6. The conclusion
  7. End with their thoughts on what it’s like to work with you; any advice they have for people in a similar situation
    Close with a strong quote from them to wrap it up

Throughout the case study, include quotes from the subject. Ideally you have quotes when they talk about their problem, when they met you, the benefits of working with you, and one for the closing.