Student Resources for Mastering Business Case Studies
The case method is more than a way to learn—it’s a way to lead. By placing you in the role of a decision-maker, the case method challenges you to analyze complex business situations, weigh competing priorities, and make—and defend—high-stakes decisions in real time. It’s an active, collaborative, and immersive approach that mirrors the reality of today’s dynamic, team-based work environments.
Rather than absorbing lectures, you engage directly with the material and with your peers, developing the ability to think critically, communicate with clarity, and lead with confidence. The case method is not just about learning what great managers know, but about practicing how great managers think, adapt, and act.
Top business schools around the world use the case method because it cultivates the essential skills employers value: sound judgment, effective teamwork, and the capacity to solve ambiguous problems. Further, case discussions expose you to diverse viewpoints and encourage you to back up your recommendations with clear analysis and evidence.
Use the resources below to prepare for success in the case classroom. Think of it like a team sport: Learning depends not only on your own preparation but also on your willingness to listen, engage, and contribute to the group. Most great cases don’t have a single “right” answer; they’re designed to reflect the real-world complexity of business decisions. Just like the boardroom, start-up meeting, or leadership huddle you’ll step into after graduation, the classroom becomes a forum for thoughtful debate and shared insight. The majority of the documents below are free of charge—simply add them to your cart and proceed with the checkout process. Remember to always use your .edu email address to receive the best academic rate available.
"Note to the Student: How to Study and Discuss Cases" (G-0561)
"The Student in the Case Method Environment" (G-0295)
"The Case-Centric Classroom: Good Career Preparation?" (S-0381)
"How to Better Frame Problems" (G-0630)
"Faculty and Students: Making the Grade" (PHA-0057)
"Classroom Covenant: Yes? No?" (PHA-0073)
"Teaching Excellence: Reflecting on What Makes Great Professors Great" (PHA-0063)
"A Note on Reading Books" (BC-0026)
"What Kind of Business Case Studies Are We Writing?" (PHA-0064)