Hey Fellow Case Writers!

In this edition I am focusing on a variety of FAQ’s or frequently asked questions that have come to me over the past year or so.

They are not in any particular order nor in any order of importance.

Back to the Newsletter…..

AI in Case Writing FAQ’s

How can AI assist in drafting case narratives and generating discussion questions?

As someone deeply immersed in the evolution of case writing, I’ve seen firsthand how AI can serve as an incredible tool for enhancing the process of drafting case narratives and generating discussion questions. In my case writing I’ve worked through the time-consuming aspects of case writing: structuring narratives, ensuring engagement, and crafting discussion points that challenge and inspire. AI has fundamentally changed the way I approach these tasks, not by replacing creativity but by amplifying it.

How AI Assists in Drafting Case Narratives

One of the biggest challenges in case writing is moving from a blank page to a compelling, structured narrative. AI helps me in several key ways:

1. Brainstorming and Ideation – In my own experience, AI has been a powerful brainstorming partner. When I need fresh ideas or want to explore unique angles, AI can analyze industry trends and historical cases to suggest realistic and engaging scenarios​.

2. Outlining and Structuring – Structuring a case effectively is crucial. AI helps me organize thoughts logically, ensuring that my case studies have a clear problem statement, background, analysis, and resolution​.

3. Developing Character Profiles – A strong case needs relatable characters. AI assists me in defining motivations, conflicts, and decision-making challenges that make my narratives more authentic​.

4. Exploring Cultural Contexts – Since I often write cases for diverse audiences, AI helps me adapt cases for different cultural and business environments, ensuring relevance across various regions​.

5. Providing Alternative Perspectives – One of my favourite uses of AI is its ability to challenge my initial approach by suggesting alternative viewpoints. It allows me to craft richer, more thought-provoking cases by presenting dilemmas from multiple angles​.

6. Editing and Refinement – Writing is rewriting. AI has streamlined my editing process, helping to catch inconsistencies, refine clarity, and enhance readability without losing the human essence of storytelling​.

How AI Enhances Discussion Questions

Crafting meaningful discussion questions isa time-consuming parts of case writing. AI makes this process more efficient through:

1. Aligning with Learning Outcomes – I use AI to generate discussion questions that are directly tied to the learning objectives of my cases, ensuring they provoke critical thinking​.

2. Creating Different Question Types – From multiple-choice to debate-style prompts, AI assists me in crafting a range of question formats that suit different teaching methods and audiences​.

3. Ensuring Depth and Critical Thinking – AI allows me to generate nuanced questions that push learners to explore ethical, strategic, and analytical considerations within a case study​.

4. Adapting for Various Audiences – Whether I’m writing for undergraduates, executives, or professionals in specialized fields, AI helps me modify questions to match the appropriate complexity and focus​.

5. Generating Dynamic and Real-Time Questions – In classroom discussions, I’ve experimented with using AI to create live, adaptive questions based on student responses, keeping the engagement level high​.

Striking the Right Balance Between AI and Human Creativity

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that AI should never replace the human element in case writing, it should support it. AI is a tool that speeds up research, organizes ideas, and enhances engagement, but it is still up to us as writers, educators, and professionals to ensure that the narratives remain authentic, meaningful, and impactful​.

What is "prompt engineering," and why is it important for AI-assisted case writing?

From my experience in AI-assisted case writing, prompt engineering is one of the most crucial skills for leveraging AI effectively. It is the process of crafting precise, structured prompts that guide AI to generate useful, relevant, and high-quality content. Whether I'm drafting a compelling case narrative, developing discussion questions, or refining learning objectives, how I phrase my prompts makes all the difference in the quality of AI-generated outputs​.

Why Does Prompt Engineering Matter in Case Writing?

AI doesn’t "think" the way we do, it responds to the inputs we provide. A vague prompt will lead to generic or unstructured outputs, whereas a well-crafted prompt ensures that the AI delivers responses that align with my vision and objectives​. For case writers, prompt engineering plays a vital role in:

1. Generating High-Quality Case Scenarios

   • Instead of a generic instruction like "Write a case study," I’ve found it far more effective to use structured prompts like:
     "Create a 1,000-word case study about a healthcare startup implementing AI-driven diagnostics. Focus on regulatory challenges and ethical considerations."

   • This approach ensures AI delivers a relevant and context-rich response​.

2. Building Realistic Characters & Contexts

   • When I need strong character development, I specify details such as:
     "Generate a character profile for a female entrepreneur navigating venture capital funding challenges in a male-dominated industry."

   • The more details I provide, the better the AI can shape realistic narratives​.

3. Improving Discussion Question Quality

   • AI-generated questions can be generic unless the prompt is highly specific. I refine my prompts to get well-structured discussion questions:
     "Generate five discussion questions for an MBA class analyzing a case study on ethical dilemmas in supply chain management. Include at least one question focused on sustainability trade-offs."

   • This method produces deeper, more engaging discussion questions​.

4. Iterative Refinement

   • Often, the first AI-generated output isn’t perfect. I tweak and refine my prompts iteratively:

     • "Rewrite this case study to emphasize the role of leadership decision-making during the crisis."

     • "Reduce technical jargon and make this accessible for a non-business audience."

   • Each refinement gets me closer to a polished final product​.

Key Principles of Effective Prompt Engineering

From my practical experience, I’ve found these core principles essential:

1. Clarity – AI needs clear and unambiguous instructions to avoid irrelevant or superficial content​.

2. Specificity – The more detailed my prompt, the better the AI's output. Including word count, target audience, and learning objectives significantly improves results​.

3. Contextual Information – Providing context helps AI tailor responses to fit a specific setting, whether it's an MBA classroom, a leadership seminar, or a corporate training module​.

4. Iteration – The first AI-generated response is rarely perfect. Revising and refining the prompt leads to stronger outputs​.

How can I tailor a case study for different audiences, such as high school students versus corporate executives? 

In my experience writing case studies, one of the most important yet challenging aspects is adapting the same case for different audiences. A case study designed for high school students must be engaging, relatable, and conceptually digestible, whereas a version for corporate executives should be data-driven, analytically complex, and strategically oriented. AI has played a crucial role in helping me efficiently customize content, adjust tone, and focus on relevant learning outcomes while preserving the core narrative​.

Key Strategies for Tailoring a Case Study

1. Understanding the Audience’s Needs

• High School Students: They need clear, simplified explanations, a conversational tone, and real-life examples they can relate to. Cases should emphasize foundational concepts such as teamwork, decision-making, and ethical dilemmas.

• Corporate Executives: Require in-depth analysis, advanced industry concepts, and strategic problem-solving. Cases should focus on leadership, financial implications, and long-term decision-making.

AI can assist in identifying knowledge gaps in different audience groups and suggest ways to align case content with their learning objectives​.

2. Adjusting Tone and Complexity

• For high school students, I often use storytelling, relatable analogies, and everyday business scenarios. Example: Instead of discussing venture capital funding, I reframe the case as a school fundraiser project with budgeting challenges.

• For executives, I focus on data-driven insights, case-specific financial models, and strategic trade-offs.

AI can transform tone and complexity with structured prompts like:

• “Simplify this case for high school students, focusing on teamwork and leadership.”

• “Enhance this case for executive learners by incorporating financial analysis and corporate risk management.”​.

3. Customizing Content for Relevance

• High school cases should be real-world yet simplified, with concepts they encounter in daily life—think social media marketing, local business strategies, or environmental sustainability.

• Corporate executive cases need global business examples, competitive strategy models, and data-backed insights.

AI can assist in refocusing cases by using prompts like:

• “Make this case study relevant for a high school entrepreneurship class.”

• “Adapt this case for corporate leaders navigating international expansion.”​.

4. Localizing for Cultural or Regional Contexts

• A case set in Silicon Valley may not resonate with students in rural India. AI helps me tailor content by adjusting industry references, business practices, and cultural norms to ensure regional relevance.

• Example: “Adapt this case to focus on supply chain challenges in Southeast Asia.”​.

5. Testing and Iteration

• I always test case studies with small focus groups before rolling them out widely.

• AI assists in analyzing survey responses, identifying areas of confusion, and recommending refinements to improve engagement and comprehension​.

Some quick hitters…….

What are some potential beginner pitfalls to avoid when using AI for case writing? 

But not Limited to……Beginner pitfalls include relying on AI for facts without verification, resulting in too much filler text, and underutilizing human insight. Always cross-check key data, trim unnecessary content, and remember that AI suggestions are starting points that require your expertise and critical sense to make the end product shine.

How can I ensure the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated content in my case study? 

You can use AI to identify gaps in the narrative or suggest improvements in tone and structure. For instance, an editor reviewing a draft could prompt the AI with: "Review this case study and suggest ways to improve transitions between sections and enhance clarity in the conclusion." It's essential to treat all AI outputs as drafts, verify sources, and assess coherence and alignment with learning objectives.

What is the SPARK framework, and how can it help in refining AI-generated case studies? 

SPARK stands for Simplicity, Precision, Adaptability, Reinforcement, and Knowledge. It's a framework to guide the refinement of case studies. Simplicity ensures clear and concise language. Precision emphasizes relevant information. Adaptability allows tailoring the case to different audiences. Reinforcement involves refining for clarity and impact. Knowledge incorporates real-world trends and research.

What should I be aware of regarding confidentiality and intellectual property (IP) when using AI for case writing? 

When using AI, you should check the terms of service to understand how your data is stored and processed, obfuscate sensitive details using aliases or fictionalized data, and consider on-premise or self-hosted AI solutions for highly sensitive topics. Intellectual Property laws are applicable to content created through AI.

Other Resources and Books

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Wrapping it all Up!

If you are interested in trying out the Free Case Study Prompt Generator .. Click the image below.

Thank you for being a part of our community. Together, we're shaping the future of education, one case study at a time!

Warm regards,

Matthew