technical writing case study

Top 5 Technical Writing Examples: Real Data and Case Studies

Technical writing plays a crucial role in conveying complex information in a clear and concise manner. It encompasses a range of documents such as user manuals, instructions, white papers, and more. In this blog, we will explore the top technical writing examples that demonstrate the effectiveness and importance of clear communication in various industries.

Each example will be accompanied by real data and actual case studies, highlighting the impact of well-executed technical writing.

1. User Manual for Medical Device

Medtronic- enhancing user experience and safety with user manuals.

One of the most critical applications of technical writing examples is in the healthcare industry. A well-written user manual for a medical device can make a significant difference in patient care and safety. For example, a study conducted by a medical device company showed that clear instructions reduced the occurrence of errors during device operation by 30%, leading to improved patient outcomes.

Medtronic , a global leader in medical technology, understands the importance of user manuals in ensuring the safe and effective use of their medical devices. To address the challenge of communicating complex device information, Medtronic employs a team of technical writers who collaborate with engineers, clinicians, and regulatory experts.

Medtronic’s user manuals are tailored to different user groups and provide clear instructions on device setup, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance. The manuals use accessible language, avoid jargon, and include illustrative examples for easy understanding. They comply with regulatory standards, incorporating safety instructions, warnings, and precautions.

With a focus on user experience, Medtronic’s user manuals enhance safety, usability, and compliance. They facilitate device training, reduce risks, and improve patient outcomes. By offering multilingual support, Medtronic ensures users worldwide can access and comprehend the instructions in their preferred language.

The result is an improved user experience, enhanced safety, streamlined training, and regulatory compliance. Medtronic’s commitment to developing comprehensive and user-friendly user manuals underscores their dedication to patient well-being and satisfaction.

In summary, Medtronic’s user manuals play a vital role in guiding healthcare professionals and patients in the proper use and maintenance of their medical devices, ultimately improving patient outcomes and ensuring safety and usability.

2. Software Documentation

Acme software - streamlining operations with effective software documentation.

Acme Software, a leading provider of enterprise software solutions, recognized the importance of comprehensive and well-structured documentation to support their customers and streamline their operations. By investing in effective software documentation, Acme Software aimed to enhance user experience, reduce support costs, and increase customer satisfaction.

Acme Software established a dedicated team of technical writers who collaborated closely with software developers, product managers, and user experience experts. Together, they developed a robust documentation strategy that encompassed user guides, API documentation, release notes, and troubleshooting guides.

The software documentation provided by Acme Software focused on simplicity, clarity, and practicality. It included step-by-step instructions, examples, and best practices to help users navigate and utilize the software effectively. The documentation was structured in a user-friendly manner, featuring clear headings, tables of contents, and search functionality for easy access to relevant information.

The impact of Acme Software’s effective software documentation was significant. Users reported reduced learning curves, improved productivity, and enhanced troubleshooting capabilities. The comprehensive documentation helped users discover and utilize advanced features, resulting in increased adoption rates and improved customer satisfaction.

Moreover, the availability of well-documented APIs facilitated integration with third-party systems, enabling customers to extend the functionality of the software and tailor it to their specific needs.

Acme Software’s investment in software documentation yielded tangible benefits. They experienced a decrease in support calls and an increase in self-service resolutions as customers could find answers to their questions in the documentation. This not only reduced support costs but also allowed the support team to focus on more complex issues, further improving customer support

3. Technical Specifications for Construction Projects

Abc construction - ensuring accuracy and compliance with technical specifications.

This is one of the best technical writing examples of construction company. ABC Construction, a leading construction company, understands the critical role of technical specifications in ensuring the successful execution of construction projects. By investing in thorough and accurate technical specifications, ABC Construction aims to enhance project quality, streamline communication, and adhere to regulatory requirements.

The technical specifications provided by ABC Construction cover various aspects of the construction project, including materials, dimensions, installation guidelines, and quality standards. They ensure that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the project requirements, enabling effective communication and minimizing errors.

By following industry standards and regulatory guidelines, ABC Construction’s technical specifications promote compliance with building codes, safety regulations, and environmental considerations. They outline the necessary procedures and specifications to ensure the construction project meets the required standards.

The impact of ABC Construction’s technical specifications is significant. They enable efficient project execution, reduce rework, and enhance overall project quality. Contractors and subcontractors can refer to the specifications to ensure accurate and compliant construction practices, resulting in improved project outcomes and client satisfaction.

In summary, ABC Construction’s commitment to thorough and accurate technical specifications ensures adherence to project requirements, regulatory compliance, and effective communication. By providing clear guidelines and standards, they enhance project quality, minimize errors, and facilitate successful construction project execution.

4. Safety Procedures in Manufacturing

Ford motor company - prioritizing safety procedures for employee well-being.

F ord Motor Company , a global automotive manufacturer, places utmost importance on the safety and well-being of its employees. Recognizing the potential hazards associated with manufacturing processes, Ford has implemented robust safety procedures to ensure a safe working environment.

Ford conducts regular safety training programs for employees, focusing on hazard identification, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency response protocols. They have established clear guidelines for equipment operation, material handling, and maintenance procedures to minimize risks.

To enhance safety, Ford conducts thorough risk assessments and audits, identifying potential hazards and implementing necessary control measures. Safety committees and employee feedback channels are in place to encourage continuous improvement and address safety concerns promptly.

The impact of Ford’s safety procedures is evident in reduced workplace incidents, improved employee morale, and increased productivity. By prioritizing safety, Ford demonstrates its commitment to employee well-being and fosters a culture of safety awareness throughout the organization.

In summary, Ford’s emphasis on safety procedures ensures the protection of its employees and promotes a safe working environment. By implementing comprehensive training, risk assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives, Ford demonstrates its commitment to maintaining high safety standards and safeguarding employee well-being.

5. API Documentation for Developers

Twilio - empowering developers with comprehensive api documentation.

Twilio, a leading cloud communications platform, recognizes the critical role of clear and comprehensive API documentation in enabling developers to effectively utilize their services. Twilio has invested in developing robust API documentation that empowers developers to integrate and leverage Twilio’s communication capabilities seamlessly.

Twilio’s API documentation provides detailed information on endpoints, request/response structures, authentication, error handling, and code examples across multiple programming languages. The documentation also includes comprehensive guides, tutorials, and use cases to assist developers in understanding and implementing Twilio’s APIs.

By prioritizing clarity and accessibility, Twilio ensures that developers can quickly get up to speed and start using their APIs without any confusion. The documentation offers clear explanations, examples, and interactive tools to facilitate a smooth developer experience.

The impact of Twilio’s API documentation is evident in the thriving developer community and widespread adoption of their services. Developers appreciate the intuitive and comprehensive documentation, which enables them to integrate Twilio’s communication capabilities seamlessly into their applications.

In summary, Twilio’s commitment to providing comprehensive and user-friendly API documentation demonstrates their dedication to empowering developers. By offering clear explanations, code examples, and resources, Twilio enables developers to leverage their services effectively, fostering innovation and driving the success of applications built on their platform.

Conclusion:

These technical writing examples demonstrate its importance and effectiveness across various industries. From user manuals in healthcare to technical proposals in engineering, clear and concise communication through well-executed technical writing can lead to significant improvements in safety, efficiency, customer satisfaction, and project success.

The case studies and real data presented in this blog provide tangible evidence of the positive impact of effective technical writing. Whether it is reducing errors in medical device operation, improving software support, enhancing safety in manufacturing, or simplifying API integration, the power of clear and well-structured documentation cannot be underestimated.

As industries continue to evolve and technologies advance, technical writing will remain an integral part of ensuring seamless communication and understanding between experts, end-users, and stakeholders. Emphasizing the importance of technical writing and investing in skilled technical writers can yield substantial benefits for organizations in terms of cost savings, customer satisfaction, and overall productivity.

So, whether you are a technical writer, a business professional, or a consumer, let these examples inspire you to appreciate the significance of clear and effective technical writing in our everyday lives.

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How To Write A Great Technical Case Study In Three Hours

August 31, 2022

Good technical writing can often seem like magic. It’s not.

Over the last seven years, tons of “best practices” have bubbled up from the Gatsby community to user-facing engineers, product managers, customer success and support teams. We’ve built a culture of documentation so that tribal knowledge isn’t gated by the content team’s bandwidth.

One type of content can be a bit trickier: case studies. Case studies showcase the success of Gatsby users, and let community members see how a “best practice” might work in a real-world scenario. But sometimes non-marketers aren’t sure how to do this, or where to start.

Over the last five years, we’ve written about fifty case studies, and developed a technique to write and publish a case study in three to four hours. I wrote this blog post to share that technique. If you’re interested in telling user or customer stories, you’ll be interested to read this.

Let’s dive in.

Setting Up The Interview

Once someone’s agreed to let you write a case study, there are three guidelines that make for a successful interview. Engineers and product managers may recognize these, because they’re similar to what makes for good open-ended user interviews.

Make sure your interviewees are familiar with both the business and technical site of things. Sometimes a tech lead will be able to do both. Other times, you will need to make sure both an engineering manager and a marketing director, say, are in the room.

Schedule 45-60 minutes, and record the call, and use an auto-transcribing service. If you have less time, you are unlikely to capture the full story. After the initial chit-chat, I ask if I can record the conversation, and then turn it on. For auto-transcription, we use Rewatch internally which offers this functionality.

Establish yourself as an interested listener. In this conversation, you are a curious listener — not a subject matter authority. Pair your status to their status — and go lower if possible! (This can be very difficult for some people.) If you present as an authority figure, your interviewees may focus on whether they did something “right”, they are unlikely to open up, and you’ll struggle to piece the story together.

Conducting The Interview

The interview is the place where you are going to be able to get the highest-bandwidth information. You need to see the story you’re writing as an onion to unpeel. A great interview is a conversation staged as a sequence of “angles” to explain a complex event.

Angles of attack

Highlight & Lowlights. This a great lead-in to the interview and a natural place to start. You’ll ask questions that trigger people’s emotional memory — the types of things that they might relay to coworkers.

Goal : Build rapport while starting to get the story.
Types of questions : “Freeform” questions that you might ask in a user interview.
Question examples : “What went well?” “What didn’t go well?” “What was surprising?” “Were there any big bumps in the road?”

Project Chronology. Once you’ve gotten the emotional overview of the project, it’s to plumb people’s factual memory. At its core, a case study is a story.

Goal : get a project timeline skeleton that you can relay to your readers — hopefully with some meat on the bones.
Types of questions : Focus on what happened, when, and why — and what events caused other events. If your subjects have to pause a couple of times to recall some detail that’s floating around in long-term memory, it’s not a bad thing.
Question examples : “So how did you hear about Gatsby?” “So what happened then?” “How did the project start?” “How did you decide to use Gatsby for this project?” “What was the client’s feedback?” “How long did the project take?” “What were the different stages?” “How did the launch go?” “How did the client react?” “What were the business metrics?”

Detail Spotlight. Interspersed with project chronology and highlights / lowlights you can point out parts of their website that they liked, as an invitation for them to tell you more.

Before the call: Take a look at what they’ve built, and note 2-3 things they did a great job on, especially if it clearly took a lot of time and effort.
Goal: Get the backstory behind particularly interesting parts of the website, so you can relay them to the reader.
Question example: “I thought the way you did [X thing] was really interesting.” (followed by a pause)

Big Picture. As the interview starts drawing to a close, you’ll want to return to the most important pieces of information you collected earlier and get the “so what”. You’ll use these details to write the first couple sentences of your case study (the lede) and the headline.

Goal: understand why this project was significant — to the agency, to the client, to the team, perhaps to the world.
Types of questions: Return to the most “important” pieces of information you collected earlier and get the “so what.”
Question examples: For Little Caesars the “story” was a Super Bowl ad traffic without team stress, so we asked about how the team felt. For Jaxxon it was an e-commerce site launch that doubled conversions, so we asked about the business impact.

Important Interview Techniques

Stay present, stay curious. You can’t ask these questions perfunctionarily. People notice. You have to be listening very closely. You have to care.

Capture a multi-disciplinary perspective. At the very least, you should be getting both the developer experience and the business results — for each angle of attack! Websites are incredibly cross-functional projects, so there may be another perspective you want to capture as well (design, content architecture, e-commerce, illustration, animation, performance optimization, copywriting…)

Ask good questions, then shut up and listen. You can see this in podcasts recorded by great narrative interviewers like Guy Raz (How I Built This) or Jeff Meyerson (RIP) at Software Engineering Daily.

Dive into interesting details (but remember where you were). When people mention things that are surprising or interesting, don’t wait for them to stop talking — express interest or curiosity, right then, in a way that feels authentic to you. Then, you need to balance two things:

figure out how to dive deeper right there and then (otherwise the moment will pass)
remember where you were, so you can bring the conversation back there afterwards (otherwise the conversation will feel fragmented)

$fractal interview diagram$

Writing Up The Case Study

Block 2 hours of writing time after the interview.

One evening in college doing a journalism internship, I went to a community event remembering a local high school senior who tragically passed away. I got back to the office around 7:30pm, and needed to have a story on my editor’s desk by 9, so I furiously pounded out 500 print-ready words in an hour and a half — in the process apparently oblivious to a colleague who wandered over to ask me something. Like coding, writing rewards blocks of uninterrupted time.

This process works the same way for case studies. Immediately after conducting an interview, you will have an emotional memory of the conversation, along with a sense of the 2-3 most important parts. If you wait, that memory will fade.

Block time immediately after the interview (mornings are best) — so if you had a 9-10am interview, block 10am to noon.

(credit to Sarah Perry )

Step 1: Braindump

The first thing you need to do is brain dump.

Throw your video into whatever tool you’re using to auto-transcribe. Flesh out the notes you were taking during the interview with all the details that come to mind as important but you didn’t capture. Copy and paste all of the notes from your note taking software into a Google Doc.

When your video finishes auto-transcribing (hopefully within 10-15 minutes), search through the transcribed interview to copy paste a bunch of passages in from the interview, to supplement the notes

Step 2: Organize

The technique you need to write quickly is middle-out composition (thanks, Silicon Valley).

Don’t start by writing your lede, or your conclusion. Just group your text together by similarity and then write some headers on top of the information groups that seem important or interesting. These might be important business results, parts of the DX that the developers loved, or the project timeline skeleton. Find the 3 or 4 important takeaways, and write draft subheads (H2).

The skill you’re using here is the ability to create an information hierarchy.

Step 3: Move to notes, re-add, copy, paste, condense

At this point you’ll have some very roughly organized information with subheads, along with a lot of clutter that is out of place. Put a “Notes” section, perhaps topped by a horizontal line, at the bottom of your document, and start moving all the information that feels less-important or out of place into the Notes section. Your document will now feel right but incomplete. Start supplementing the important points — with quotes from your interview, screenshots from a website, photos of people, and so on.

Try to avoid writing . Instead, copy and paste from notes and transcript. Then condense three or four sentences a subject said into a one-sentence summary. Rinse and repeat.

Step 4: Add the lede and conclusion

Once you’ve got the skeleton mostly done, you can add a draft lede and conclusion. That’s where you pull in the information you have about the big-picture so-what. Hopefully, that information is in your notes.

Step 5: Edit until it shines

Now, you’ve got the whole case study. You also probably have run-on sentences, jumbled together, poorly organized sections, a mediocre lede, and so on. That’s okay.

There’s a simple algorithm here: run through the whole story, section by section. Polish whatever’s obvious. Then, return to the start, and do it again.

This avoids the most frequent time sucks of the editing process — perfectionism and overthinking. If you know something’s wrong but don’t know how to fix it, don’t worry. You’ll get it on the next run-through.

Focus on condensing complex ideas. Break long sentences up. Get rid of extraneous details. “Omit needless words.”

If you’re a newer writer, this is a great time to pair with a more experienced writer. Tell them they are the editor and ask them to rewrite confusing sentences or sections. Make it clear that they are driving.

Step 6: Spend a few minutes on the lede and title

People will read the title and first sentence more than anything else, so spend some extra effort. Consider a couple different approaches. Figure out what’s most catchy.

Step 7: Publish, then seek comments

In an ideal world, this is where you throw it into WordPress and hit publish. You should do this unless you have a very good reason not to! Doing otherwise risks getting stuck in endless review traps waiting for third-party approvals.

Instead, publish it first — and then send it to third-parties to ask if there are any details that need fixing before you publicize it.

Step 8: Go get some lunch

If you’ve done all the previous steps in three to four hours, your brain is probably pretty tired. Be kind to yourself. Go somewhere you really like and think about non-work related stuff for a while.

Writing great case studies isn’t magic. It’s a skill just like any other. And if you’re in a user- or customer-facing role, you’d do well to learn it. Sharing success stories internally is great, but sharing them externally will multiply your impact.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

1. WHAT IS TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION?

1.4 Case Study: The Cost of Poor Communication

No one knows exactly how much poor communication costs business, industry and government each year, but estimates suggest billions. In fact, a recent estimate claims that the cost in the U.S. alone are close to $4 billion annually! [1] Poorly-worded or inefficient emails, careless reading or listening to instructions, documents that go unread due to poor design, hastily presenting inaccurate information, sloppy proofreading — all of these examples result in inevitable costs. The problem is that these costs aren’t usually included on the corporate balance sheet at the end of each year; if they are not properly or clearly defined, the problems remain unsolved.

You may have seen the Project Management Tree Cartoon before ( Figure 1.4.1 ); it has been used and adapted widely to illustrate the perils of poor communication during a project.

Different interpretations of how to design a tree swing by different members of a team and communication failures can lead to problems during the project.

The waste caused by imprecisely worded regulations or instructions, confusing emails, long-winded memos, ambiguously written contracts, and other examples of poor communication is not as easily identified as the losses caused by a bridge collapse or a flood. But the losses are just as real—in reduced productivity, inefficiency, and lost business. In more personal terms, the losses are measured in wasted time, work, money, and ultimately, professional recognition. In extreme cases, losses can be measured in property damage, injuries, and even deaths.

The following “case studies” show how poor communications can have real world costs and consequences. For example, consider the “ Comma Quirk ” in the Rogers Contract that cost $2 million. [3] A small error in spelling a company name cost £8.8 million. [4] Examine Edward Tufte’s discussion of the failed PowerPoint presentation that attempted to prevent the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster. [5] The failure of project managers and engineers to communicate effectively resulted in the deadly Hyatt Regency walkway collapse. [6] The case studies below offer a few more examples that might be less extreme, but much more common.

In small groups, examine each “case” and determine the following:

Define the rhetorical situation : Who is communicating to whom about what, how, and why? What was the goal of the communication in each case?
Identify the communication error (poor task or audience analysis? Use of inappropriate language or style? Poor organization or formatting of information? Other?)
Explain what costs/losses were incurred by this problem.
Identify possible solution s or strategies that would have prevented the problem, and what benefits would be derived from implementing solutions or preventing the problem.

Present your findings in a brief, informal presentation to the class.

Exercises adapted from T.M Georges’ Analytical Writing for Science and Technology. [7]

CASE 1: The promising chemist who buried his results

Bruce, a research chemist for a major petro-chemical company, wrote a dense report about some new compounds he had synthesized in the laboratory from oil-refining by-products. The bulk of the report consisted of tables listing their chemical and physical properties, diagrams of their molecular structure, chemical formulas and data from toxicity tests. Buried at the end of the report was a casual speculation that one of the compounds might be a particularly safe and effective insecticide.

Seven years later, the same oil company launched a major research program to find more effective but environmentally safe insecticides. After six months of research, someone uncovered Bruce’s report and his toxicity tests. A few hours of further testing confirmed that one of Bruce’s compounds was the safe, economical insecticide they had been looking for.

Bruce had since left the company, because he felt that the importance of his research was not being appreciated.

CASE 2: The rejected current regulator proposal

The Acme Electric Company worked day and night to develop a new current regulator designed to cut the electric power consumption in aluminum plants by 35%. They knew that, although the competition was fierce, their regulator could be produced more affordably, was more reliable, and worked more efficiently than the competitors’ products.

The owner, eager to capture the market, personally but somewhat hastily put together a 120-page proposal to the three major aluminum manufacturers, recommending that the new Acme regulators be installed at all company plants.

She devoted the first 87 pages of the proposal to the mathematical theory and engineering design behind his new regulator, and the next 32 to descriptions of the new assembly line she planned to set up to produce regulators quickly. Buried in an appendix were the test results that compared her regulator’s performance with present models, and a poorly drawn graph showed the potential cost savings over 3 years.

The proposals did not receive any response. Acme Electric didn’t get the contracts, despite having the best product. Six months later, the company filed for bankruptcy.

CASE 3: The instruction manual the scared customers away

As one of the first to enter the field of office automation, Sagatec Software, Inc. had built a reputation for designing high-quality and user-friendly database and accounting programs for business and industry. When they decided to enter the word-processing market, their engineers designed an effective, versatile, and powerful program that Sagatec felt sure would outperform any competitor.

To be sure that their new word-processing program was accurately documented, Sagatec asked the senior program designer to supervise writing the instruction manual. The result was a thorough, accurate and precise description of every detail of the program’s operation.

When Sagatec began marketing its new word processor, cries for help flooded in from office workers who were so confused by the massive manual that they couldn’t even find out how to get started. Then several business journals reviewed the program and judged it “too complicated” and “difficult to learn.” After an impressive start, sales of the new word processing program plummeted.

Sagatec eventually put out a new, clearly written training guide that led new users step by step through introductory exercises and told them how to find commands quickly. But the rewrite cost Sagatec $350,000, a year’s lead in the market, and its reputation for producing easy-to-use business software.

CASE 4: One garbled memo – 26 baffled phone calls

Joanne supervised 36 professionals in 6 city libraries. To cut the costs of unnecessary overtime, she issued this one-sentence memo to her staff:

After the 36 copies were sent out, Joanne’s office received 26 phone calls asking what the memo meant. What the 10 people who didn’t call about the memo thought is uncertain. It took a week to clarify the new policy.

CASE 5: Big science — Little rhetoric

The following excerpt is from Carl Sagan’s book, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, [8] itself both a plea for and an excellent example of clear scientific communication:

The Superconducting Supercollider (SSC) would have been the preeminent instrument on the planet for probing the fine structure of matter and the nature of the early Universe. Its price tag was $10 to $15 billion. It was cancelled by Congress in 1993 after about $2 billion had been spent — a worst of both worlds outcome. But this debate was not, I think, mainly about declining interest in the support of science. Few in Congress understood what modern high-energy accelerators are for. They are not for weapons. They have no practical applications. They are for something that is, worrisomely from the point of view of many, called “the theory of everything.” Explanations that involve entities called quarks, charm, flavor, color, etc., sound as if physicists are being cute. The whole thing has an aura, in the view of at least some Congresspeople I’ve talked to, of “nerds gone wild” — which I suppose is an uncharitable way of describing curiosity-based science. No one asked to pay for this had the foggiest idea of what a Higgs boson is. I’ve read some of the material intended to justify the SSC. At the very end, some of it wasn’t too bad, but there was nothing that really addressed what the project was about on a level accessible to bright but skeptical non-physicists. If physicists are asking for 10 or 15 billion dollars to build a machine that has no practical value, at the very least they should make an extremely serious effort, with dazzling graphics, metaphors, and capable use of the English language, to justify their proposal. More than financial mismanagement, budgetary constraints, and political incompetence, I think this is the key to the failure of the SSC.

CASE 6: The co-op student who mixed up genres

Chris was simultaneously enrolled in a university writing course and working as a co-op student at the Widget Manufacturing plant. As part of his co-op work experience, Chris shadowed his supervisor/mentor on a safety inspection of the plant, and was asked to write up the results of the inspection in a compliance memo . In the same week, Chris’s writing instructor assigned the class to write a narrative essay based on some personal experience. Chris, trying to be efficient, thought that the plant visit experience could provide the basis for his essay assignment as well.

He wrote the essay first, because he was used to writing essays and was pretty good at it. He had never even seen a compliance memo, much less written one, so was not as confident about that task. He began the essay like this:

On June 1, 2018, I conducted a safety audit of the Widget Manufacturing plant in New City. The purpose of the audit was to ensure that all processes and activities in the plant adhere to safety and handling rules and policies outlined in the Workplace Safety Handbook and relevant government regulations. I was escorted on a 3-hour tour of the facility by…

Chris finished the essay and submitted it to his writing instructor. He then revised the essay slightly, keeping the introduction the same, and submitted it to his co-op supervisor. He “aced” the essay, getting an A grade, but his supervisor told him that the report was unacceptable and would have to be rewritten – especially the beginning, which should have clearly indicated whether or not the plant was in compliance with safety regulations. Chris was aghast! He had never heard of putting the “conclusion” at the beginning . He missed the company softball game that Saturday so he could rewrite the report to the satisfaction of his supervisor.

J. Bernoff, "Bad writing costs business billions," Daily Beast , Oct. 16, 2016 [Online]. Available: https://www.thedailybeast.com/bad-writing-costs-businesses-billions?ref=scroll ↵
J. Reiter, "The 'Project Cartoon' root cause," Medium, 2 July 2019. Available: https://medium.com/@thx2001r/the-project-cartoon-root-cause-5e82e404ec8a ↵
G. Robertson, “Comma quirk irks Rogers,” Globe and Mail , Aug. 6, 2006 [Online]. Available: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/comma-quirk-irks-rogers/article1101686/ ↵
“The £8.8m typo: How one mistake killed a family business,” (28 Jan. 2015). The Guardian [online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/law/shortcuts/2015/jan/28/typo-how-one-mistake-killed-a-family-business-taylor-and-sons ↵
E. Tufte, The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint , 2001 [Online]. Available: https://www.inf.ed.ac.uk/teaching/courses/pi/2016_2017/phil/tufte-powerpoint.pdf ↵
C. McFadden, "Understanding the tragic Hyatt Regency walkway collapse," Interesting Engineering , July 4, 2017 [Online]: https://interestingengineering.com/understanding-hyatt-regency-walkway-collapse ↵
T.M. Goerges (1996), Analytical Writing for Science and Technology [Online], Available: https://www.scribd.com/document/96822930/Analytical-Writing ↵
C. Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, New York, NY: Random House, 1995. ↵

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8 Technical Writing Examples to Inspire You

Become a Certified Technical Writer

As a technical writer, you may end up being confused about your job description because each industry and organization can have varying duties for you. At times, they may ask for something you’ve never written before. In that case, you can consider checking out some technical writing examples to get you started.

If you’re beginning your technical writing career, it’s advisable to go over several technical writing examples to make sure you get the hang of it. You don’t necessarily have to take a gander over at industry-specific examples; you can get the general idea in any case.

This article will go over what technical writing is and some of the common technical writing examples to get you started. If you’re looking to see some examples via video, watch below. Otherwise, skip ahead.

If you’re looking to learn via video, watch below. Otherwise, skip ahead.

Let’s start by covering what technical writing is .

What Exactly is Technical Writing?

Technical writing is all about easily digestible content regarding a specialized product or service for the public. Technical writers have to translate complex technical information into useful and easy-to-understand language.

There are many examples of technical writing, such as preparing instruction manuals and writing complete guides. In some cases, technical writing includes preparing research journals, writing support documents, and other technical documentation.

The idea is to help the final user understand any technical aspects of the product or service.

In other cases, technical writing means that the writer needs to know something. For example, pharmaceutical companies may hire medical writers to write their content since they have the required knowledge.

If you’re interested in learning more about these technical writing skills, then check out our Technical Writing Certification Course.

8 Technical Writing Examples to Get You Started

As a technical writer, you may have to learn new things continually, increase your knowledge, and work with new forms of content. While you may not have experience with all forms of technical writing, it’s crucial to understand how to do it.

If you learn all the intricacies of technical writing and technical documents, you can practically work with any form of content, given that you know the format.

Therefore, the following examples of technical writing should be sufficient for you to get an idea. The different types of technical writing have unique characteristics that you can easily learn and master effectively.

1. User Manuals

User manuals or instruction manuals come with various products, such as consumer electronics like televisions, consoles, cellphones, kitchen appliances, and more. The user manual serves as a complete guide on how to use the product, maintain it, clean it, and more. All technical manuals, including user manuals, have to be highly user-friendly. The technical writer has to write a manual to even someone with zero experience can use the product. Therefore, the target audience of user manuals is complete novices, amateurs, and people using the product/s for the first time.

Traditionally, user manuals have had text and diagrams to help users understand. However, user manuals have photographs, numbered diagrams, disclaimers, flow charts, sequenced instructions, warranty information, troubleshooting guides, and contact information in recent times.

Technical writers have to work with engineers, programmers, and product designers to ensure they don’t miss anything. The writer also anticipates potential issues ordinary users may have by first using the product. That helps them develop a first-hand experience and, ultimately, develop better user manuals.

The point of the user manual isn’t to predict every possible issue or problem. Most issues are unpredictable and are better handled by the customer support or help desk. User manuals are there to address direct and common issues at most.

You can check out some user manual examples and templates here . You can download them in PDF and edit them to develop an idea about how you can write a custom user manual for your product.

2. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

Standard operating procedures are complete processes for each organization’s various tasks to ensure smoother operations. SOPs help make each process more efficient, time-saving, and less costly.

An SOP document can include:

Everything from the method of processing payroll.
Hiring employees.
Calculating vacation time to manufacturing guidelines.

In any case, SOPs ensure that each person in an organization works in unison and uniformly to maintain quality.

SOPs help eliminate irregularities, favoritism, and other human errors if used correctly. Lastly, SOPs make sure employees can take the responsibilities of an absent employee, so there’s no lag in work.

Therefore, developing SOPs requires a complete study of how an organization works and its processes.

Here are some examples of standard operating procedures you can study. You can edit the samples directly or develop your own while taking inspiration from them.

3. Case Studies & White Papers

Case studies and white papers are a way of demonstrating one’s expertise in an area. Case studies delve into a specific instance or project and have takeaways proving or disproving something. White papers delve into addressing any industry-specific challenge, issue, or problem.

Both case studies and white papers are used to get more business and leads by organizations.

Technical writers who write white papers and case studies need to be experts in the industry and the project itself. It’s best if the technical writer has prior experience in writing such white papers.

The writing style of white papers and case studies is unique, along with the formatting. Both documents are written for a specific target audience and require technical writing skills. Case studies are written in a passive voice, while white papers are written in an active voice. In any case, it’s crucial to maintain a certain level of knowledge to be able to pull it off.

You can check out multiple white paper examples here , along with various templates and guides. You can check out some examples here for case studies, along with complete templates.

4. API Documentation

API documentation includes instructions on effectively using and integrating with any API, such as web-API, software API, and SCPIs. API documentation contains details about classes, functions, arguments, and other information required to work with the API. It also includes examples and tutorials to help make integration easier.

In any case, API documentation helps clients understand how it works and how they can effectively implement API. In short, it helps businesses and people interact with the code more easily.

You can find a great example of proper API documentation in how Dropbox’s API documentation works. You can learn more about it here .

5. Press Releases

Press releases are formal documents issued by an organization or agency to share news or to make an announcement. The idea is to set a precedent for releasing any key piece of information in a follow-up press conference, news release, or on a social media channel.

The press release emphasizes why the information is important to the general public and customers. It’s a fact-based document and includes multiple direct quotes from major company stakeholders, such as the CEO.

Usually, press releases have a very specific writing process. Depending on the feasibility, they may have an executive summary or follow the universal press release format.

You can find several examples of press releases from major companies like Microsoft and Nestle here , along with some writing tips.

6. Company Documents

Company documents can include various internal documents and orientation manuals for new employees. These documents can contain different information depending on their use.

For example, orientation manuals include:

The company’s history.
Organizational chart.
List of services and products.
Map of the facility.
Dress codes.

It may also include employee rights, responsibilities, operation hours, rules, regulations, disciplinary processes, job descriptions, internal policies, safety procedures, educational opportunities, common forms, and more.

Writing company documents requires good technical writing skills and organizational knowledge. Such help files assist new employees in settling into the company and integrating more efficiently.

Here are some great examples of orientation manuals you can check out.

7. Annual Reports

Annual reports are yearly updates on a company’s performance and other financial information. Annual reports directly correspond with company stakeholders and serve as a transparency tool.

The annual reports can also be technical reports in some cases. However, mostly they include stock performance, financial information, new product information, and key developments.

Technical writers who develop annual reports must compile all the necessary information and present it in an attractive form. It’s crucial to use creative writing and excellent communication skills to ensure that the maximum amount of information appears clearly and completely.

If the company is technical, such as a robotics company, the technical writer needs to develop a technical communication method that’s easy to digest.

You can check out some annual report examples and templates here .

8. Business Plans

Every company starts with a complete business plan to develop a vision and secure funding. If a company is launching a new branch, it still needs to start with a business plan.

In any case, the business plan has a few predetermined sections. To develop the ideal business plan, include the following sections in it.

Executive Summary – includes the business concept, product, or service, along with the target market. It may also include information on key personnel, legal entity, founding date, location, and brief financial information.
Product or Service Description – includes what the offering is, what value it provides, and what stage of development it is in currently.
Team Members – includes all the information on the management team.
Competitor and Market Analysis – includes a detailed analysis of the target market and potential competitors.
Organizational System – includes information on how the organizational structure would work.
Schedules – include start dates, hiring dates, planning dates, and milestones.
Risks and Opportunities – include profit and loss predictions and projections.
Financial Planning – includes planned income statements, liquidity measures, projected balance sheet, and more.
Appendix – includes the organizational chart, resumes, patents, and more.

The technical writer needs to work closely with the company stakeholders to develop a complete business plan.

According to your industry, you can check out hundreds of business plan samples and examples here .

Becoming an Expert Technical Writer

Becoming an expert technical writer is all about focusing on your strengths. For example, you should try to focus on one to two industries or a specific form of technical writing. You can do various writing assignments and check out technical writing samples to understand what you’re good with.

You can also check out user guides and get online help in determining your industry. Once you’ve nailed down an industry and technical writing type, you can start to focus on becoming an expert in it.

In any case, it always helps to check out technical writing examples before starting any project. Try to check out examples of the same industry and from a similar company. Start your writing process once you have a complete idea of what you need to do.

Since technical writing involves dealing with complex information, the writer needs to have a solid base on the topic. That may require past experience, direct technical knowledge, or an ability to understand multiple pieces of information quickly and effectively.

In becoming a technical writer, you may have to work with various other people, such as software developers, software engineers, human resources professionals, product designers, and other subject matter experts.

While most organizations tend to hire writers with a history in their fields, others opt for individuals with great writing skills and team them up with their employees.

Technical writers may also work with customer service experts, product liability specialists, and user experience professionals to improve the end-user experience. In any case, they work closely with people to develop digestible content for the end customers.

Today, you can also find several technical writers online. There is an increasing demand for technical writing because of the insurgence of SaaS companies, e-commerce stores, and more.

In the end, technical writers need to have a strong grasp of proper grammar, terminology, the product, and images, graphics, sounds, or videos to explain documentation.

If you are new to technical writing and are looking to break-in, we recommend taking our Technical Writing Certification Course , where you will learn the fundamentals of being a technical writer, how to dominate technical writer interviews, and how to stand out as a technical writing candidate.

We offer a wide variety of programs and courses built on adaptive curriculum and led by leading industry experts.

Work on projects in a collaborative setting
Take advantage of our flexible plans and community
Get access to experts, templates, and exclusive events

Become a Certified Technical Writer. Professionals finish the training with a full understanding of how to guide technical writer projects using documentation foundations, how to lead writing teams, and more.

Become a Certified UX Writer. You'll learn how to excel on the job with writing microcopy, content design, and creating conversation chatbots.

Become a Certified Grant Writer. In this course, we teach the fundamentals of grant writing, how to create great grant proposals, and how to stand out in the recruiting process to land grant writing jobs.

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Technical Writing for Beginners – An A-Z Guide to Tech Blogging Basics

If you love writing and technology, technical writing could be a suitable career for you. It's also something else you can do if you love tech but don’t really fancy coding all day long.

Technical writing might also be for you if you love learning by teaching others, contributing to open source projects and teaching others how to do so, too, or basically enjoy explaining complex concepts in simple ways through your writing.

Let's dive into the fundamentals and learn about what you should know and consider when getting started with technical writing.

In this article, we’ll be looking at:

What Technical writing is

Benefits of Technical Writing

Necessary skills to have as a Technical Writer

The Technical Writing Process

Platforms for publishing your articles

Technical Writing Courses

Technical Writing forums and communities
Some amazing technical writers to follow
Final Words and references

What is Technical Writing?

Technical writing is the art of providing detail-oriented instruction to help users understand a specific skill or product.

And a technical writer is someone who writes these instructions, otherwise known as technical documentation or tutorials. This could include user manuals, online support articles, or internal docs for coders/API developers.

A technical writer communicates in a way that presents technical information so that the reader can use that information for an intended purpose.

Technical writers are lifelong learners. Since the job involves communicating complex concepts in simple and straightforward terms, you must be well-versed in the field you're writing about. Or be willing to learn about it.

This is great, because with each new technical document you research and write, you will become an expert on that subject.

Technical writing also gives you a better sense of user empathy. It helps you pay more attention to what the readers or users of a product feel rather than what you think.

You can also make money as a technical writer by contributing to organizations. Here are some organizations that pay you to write for them , like Smashing Magazine , AuthO , Twilio , and Stack Overflow .

In addition to all this, you can contribute to Open Source communities and participate in paid open source programs like Google Season of Docs and Outreachy .

You can also take up technical writing as a full time profession – lots of companies need someone with those skills.

Necessary Skills to Have as a Technical Writer

Understand the use of proper english.

Before you consider writing, it is necessary to have a good grasp of English, its tenses, spellings and basic grammar. Your readers don't want to read an article riddled with incorrect grammar and poor word choices.

Know how to explain things clearly and simply

Knowing how to implement a feature doesn't necessarily mean you can clearly communicate the process to others.

In order to be a good teacher, you have to be empathetic, with the ability to teach or describe terms in ways suitable for your intended audience.

If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself. Albert Einstein

Possess some writing skills‌‌

I believe that writers are made, not born. And you can only learn how to write by actually writing.

You might never know you have it in you to write until you put pen to paper. And there's only one way to know if you have some writing skills, and that's by writing.

So I encourage you to start writing today. You can choose to start with any of the platforms I listed in this section to stretch your writing muscles.

And of course, it is also a huge benefit to have some experience in a technical field.

Analyze and Understand who your Readers are

The biggest factor to consider when you're writing a technical article is your intended/expected audience. It should always be at the forefront of your mind.

A good technical writer writes based on the reader’s context. As an example , let's say you're writing an article targeted at beginners. It is important not to assume that they already know certain concepts.

You can start out your article by outlining any necessary prerequisites. This will make sure that your readers have (or can acquire) the knowledge they need before diving right into your article.

You can also include links to useful resources so your readers can get the information they need with just a click.

In order to know for whom you are writing, you have to gather as much information as possible about who will use the document.

It is important to know if your audience has expertise in the field, if the topic is totally new to them, or if they fall somewhere in between.

Your readers will also have their own expectations and needs. You must determine what the reader is looking for when they begin to read the document and what they'll get out of it.

To understand your reader, ask yourself the following questions before you start writing:

Who are my readers?
What do they need?
Where will they be reading?
When will they be reading?
Why will they be reading?
How will they be reading?

These questions also help you think about your reader's experience while reading your writing, which we'll talk about more now.

Think About User Experience

User experience is just as important in a technical document as it is anywhere on the web.

Now that you know your audience and their needs, keep in mind how the document itself services their needs. It’s so easy to ignore how the reader will actually use the document.

As you write, continuously step back and view the document as if you're the reader. Ask yourself: Is it accessible? How will your readers be using it? When will they be using it? Is it easy to navigate?

The goal is to write a document that is both useful to and useable by your readers.

Plan Your Document

Bearing in mind who your users are, you can then conceptualize and plan out your document.

This process includes a number of steps, which we'll go over now.

Conduct thorough research about the topic

While planning out your document, you have to research the topic you're writing about. There are tons of resources only a Google search away for you to consume and get deeper insights from.

Don't be tempted to lift off other people's works or articles and pass it off as your own, as this is plagiarism. Rather, use these resources as references and ideas for your work.

Google as much as possible, get facts and figures from research journals, books or news, and gather as much information as you can about your topic. Then you can start making an outline.

Make an outline

Outlining the content of your document before expanding on it helps you write in a more focused way. It also lets you organize your thoughts and achieving your goals for your writing.

An outline can also help you identify what you want your readers to get out of the document. And finally, it establishes a timeline for completing your writing.

Get relevant graphics/images

Having an outline is very helpful in identifying the various virtual aids (infographics, gifs, videos, tweets) you'll need to embed in different sections of your document.

And it'll make your writing process much easier if you keep these relevant graphics handy.

Write in the Correct Style

Finally, you can start to write! If you've completed all these steps, writing should become a lot easier. But you still need to make sure your writing style is suitable for a technical document.

The writing needs to be accessible, direct, and professional. Flowery or emotional text is not welcome in a technical document. To help you maintain this style, here are some key characteristics you should cultivate.

Use Active Voice

It's a good idea to use active voices in your articles, as it is easier to read and understand than the passive voice.

Active voice means that the subject of the sentence is the one actively performing the action of the verb. Passive voice means that a subject is the recipient of a verb's action .

Here's an example of passive voice : The documentation should be read six times a year by every web developer.

And here's an example of active voice : Every web developer should read this documentation 6 times a year.

Choose Your Words Carefully

Word choice is important. Make sure you use the best word for the context. Avoid overusing pronouns such as ‘it’ and ‘this’ as the reader may have difficulty identifying which nouns they refer to.

Also avoid slang and vulgar language – remember you're writing for a wider audience whose disposition and cultural inclinations could differ from yours.

Avoid Excessive Jargon

If you’re an expert in your field, it can be easy to use jargon you're familiar with without realizing that it may be confusing to other readers.

You should also avoid using acronyms you haven't previously explained.

Here's an Example :

Less clear: PWAs are truly considered the future of multi-platform development. Their availability on both Android and iOS makes them the app of the future.

Improved: Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) are truly the future of multi-platform development. Their availability on both Android and iOS makes PWAs the app of the future.

Use Plain Language

Use fewer words and write in a way so that any reader can understand the text.‌‌ Avoid big lengthy words. Always try to explain concepts and terms in the clearest way possible.

Visual Formatting

A wall of text is difficult to read. Even the clearest instructions can be lost in a document that has poor visual representation.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This rings true even in technical writing.

But not just any image is worthy of a technical document. Technical information can be difficult to convey in text alone. A well-placed image or diagram can clarify your explanation.

People also love visuals, so it helps to insert them at the right spots. Consider the images below:

First, here's a blog snippet without visuals:

Here's a snippet of same blog, but with visuals:

Adding images to your articles makes the content more relatable and easier to understand. In addition to images, you can also use gifs, emoji, embeds (social media, code) and code snippets where necessary.

Thoughtful formatting, templates, and images or diagrams will also make your text more helpful to your readers. You can check out the references below for a technical writing template from @Bolajiayodeji.

Do a Careful Review

Good writing of any type must be free from spelling and grammatical errors. These errors might seem obvious, but it's not always easy to spot them (especially in lengthy documents).

Always double-check your spelling (you know, dot your Is and cross your Ts) before hitting 'publish'.

There are a number of free tools like Grammarly and the Hemingway app that you can use to check for grammar and spelling errors. You can also share a draft of your article with someone to proofread before publishing.

Where to Publish Your Articles

Now that you've decided to take up technical writing, here are some good platforms where you can start putting up technical content for free. They can also help you build an appealing portfolio for future employers to check out.

Dev.to is a community of thousands of techies where both writers and readers get to meaningfully engage and share ideas and resources.

Hashnode is my go-to blogging platform with awesome perks such as custom domain mapping and an interactive community. Setting up a blog on this platform is also easy and fast.

freeCodeCamp has a very large community and audience reach and is a great place to publish your articles. However, you'll need to apply to write for their publication with some previous writing samples.

Your application could either be accepted or rejected, but don't be discouraged. You can always reapply later as you get better, and who knows? You could get accepted.

If you do write for them, they'll review and edit your articles before publishing, to make sure you publish the most polished article possible. They'll also share your articles on their social media platforms to help more people read them.

Hackernoon has over 7,000 writers and could be a great platform for you to start publishing your articles to the over 200,000 daily readers in the community.

Hacker Noon supports writers by proofreading their articles before publishing them on the platform, helping them avoid common mistakes.

Just like in every other field, there are various processes, rules, best practices, and so on in Technical Writing.

Taking a course on technical writing will help guide you through every thing you need to learn and can also give you a major confidence boost to kick start your writing journey.

Here are some technical writing courses you can check out:

Google Technical Writing Course (Free)
Udemy Technical Writing Course (Paid)
Hashnode Technical Writing Bootcamp (Free)

Technical Writing Forums and Communities

Alone we can do so little, together, we can do so much ~ Helen Keller

Being part of a community or forum along with people who share same passion as you is beneficial. You can get feedback, corrections, tips and even learn some style tips from other writers in the community.

Here are some communities and forums for you to join:

Technical Writing World
Technical Writer Forum
Write the Docs Forum

Some Amazing Technical Writers to follow

In my technical writing journey, I've come and followed some great technical writers whose writing journey, consistency, and style inspire me.

These are the writers whom I look up to and consider virtual mentors on technical writing. Sometimes, they drop technical writing tips that I find helpful and have learned a lot from.

Here are some of those writers (hyperlinked with their twitter handles):

Quincy Larson
Edidiong Asikpo
Catalin Pit
Victoria Lo
Bolaji Ayodeji
Amruta Ranade
Chris Bongers
Colby Fayock

Final words

You do not need a degree in technical writing to start putting out technical content. You can start writing on your personal blog and public GitHub repositories while building your portfolio and gaining practical experience.

Really – Just Start Writing.

Practice by creating new documents for existing programs or projects. There are a number of open source projects on GitHub that you can check out and add to their documentation.

Is there an app that you love to use, but its documentation is poorly written? Write your own and share it online for feedback. You can also quickly set up your blog on hashnode and start writing.

You learn to write by writing, and by reading and thinking about how writers have created their characters and invented their stories. If you are not a reader, don't even think about being a writer. - Jean M. Auel

Technical writers are always learning . By diving into new subject areas and receiving external feedback, a good writer never stops honing their craft.

Of course, good writers are also voracious readers. By reviewing highly-read or highly-used documents, your own writing will definitely improve.

Can't wait to see your technical articles!

Introduction to Technical Writing ‌‌

How to structure a technical article ‌‌

Understanding your audience, the why and how

‌‌ Technical Writing template

I hope this was helpful. If so, follow me on Twitter and let me know!

Amarachi is a front end web developer, technical writer and educator who is interested in building developer communities.

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The Engineer’s Guide to Writing and Promoting a Case Study

Case studies are the holy grail of content.

You can tell prospects all day how great your company is, but the real trust is built when you have a customer validate the value of your products and services.

Not only is a case study the strongest piece of content in your arsenal, it is also the most versatile. Case studies come into play at every stage of the buyer’s journey – from awareness and interest all the way to a purchase decision.

If you are investing in content marketing, case studies must be a priority. Here's our 6-step process for writing and promoting full-length technical case studies.

The Engineers Guide to Writing and Promoting a Case Study

How to Write a Case Study

Select the right customer.

Look through your list of customers and/or ask your project managers if any customers have one of the following characteristics:

Surprise results – Non-traditional customers that have seen overly positive results can help absolve any doubts potential customers may have.

Recognizable name – While small companies can have powerful stories, bigger or more notable brands can help increase credibility.

Competitive win – If you are consistently going up against another competitor, having a case study where you won over them is a great piece that can be leveraged by your sales team.

In an industry or vertical where you’re aiming to expand business – If you are looking to expand into a new industry I will always suggest the first piece of content you create is a case study to show that you understand the challenges and can meet customer needs in that specific industry.

Willingness to participate – Many customers will volunteer to offer some information for a case study and ultimately approve it, while others are required by their companies to be tight-lipped about applications or run all information through corporate communications processes. Having a willing participant will prove to be a much easier and fruitful process than one where you have to pull teeth to get the information or approval you need. Also make sure that you communicate the mutual benefit of a case study for you and for your customer. Oftentimes, the case study will highlight the benefits of your products or services, but it will also help the customer showcase their success. By later putting the completed case study on your web site, you help improve the customer’s web presence and further their company name.

Create Interview Questions and Outline

The most compelling and complete case study follows the flow below. Use the format to inform your research first and then prepare open-ended questions to use when interviewing your customers.

Customer’s business overview – This serves to build an understanding of the company's current challenges and goals, and how they fit into the landscape of their industry.

Challenges – This helps match the customer's need with your products and services.

Decision-making process – Showing the process demonstrates how the customer arrived at their decision to work with you and helps guide the decision-making process of potential customers.

Solution – Help a potential customer understand how your product or service is currently being used.

Results – Reveal impressive, measurable outcomes to give insight into what your potential customer can achieve when working with you.

Download our B2B Case Study Template to get started.

Obtain Customer Approval

Once the case study has been drafted and reviewed internally, share it with the customer so they can fact-check the document and make any needed changes. Some customers will require that their legal department review the case study to ensure there is no sensitive information shared. Once their changes have been incorporated, we also recommend having the customer sign a release form, permitting you to promote and publish the case study.

This is often the most overlooked part of developing a case study and I would argue likely the most important. Most people judge whether they read a case study based on scan-ability, which can be achieved through good design.

When laying out your case study, focus on conveying the information you've gathered in the most clear and concise way possible. Make it easy to scan and comprehend, and most importantly, be sure to provide an attractive call-to-action at the end to provide readers with an opportunity to learn more about your product or service.

Include the following:

Title - provide compelling first-glance content

Section headers - d raw readers in with quantifiable, results-focused headlines

Relevant images

Bulleted lists

Bolded and italicized text

Call out quotes and stats

Up to 800 words

Need some design inspiration? View TREW’s case studies.

How to Promote Your Case Study

There are two primary places to publish your full-length case study: on a web page and in a printable PDF that are optimized for search. but don’t stop there.

The case study should be incorporated into your marketing and sales efforts in order for people to actually read it. You can continue to promote your case study by:

Making it easy to find on your site – include the case study in your site navigation and link to it as a call to action from relevant industry and product pages. Gating content behind a lead form can help generate new leads.

Creating a direct email to promote the case study to a segmented list in your database or adding the case study to existing lead nurturing programs.

Making sure sales has it and knows when to use it

Publishing a news release around the customer success story

Distributing at trade shows

Writing a blog post on the topic and having the case study serve as a call to action

How to Repurpose Your Case Study

While a case study is very useful in full-length form, you can also benefit from using pieces of the case study in different marketing materials. For example, use a customer quote from the case in email marketing, or create summary slides for a sales presentation or corporate presentation, video etc.

Think of the different ways your personas prefer to engage with content and expand on the original case study. The case study will have authority and authenticity when you combine it with a testimonial, preferably video!

Most case studies have a shelf life of about one year before they need to be reviewed and revised. As your products and services evolve, or the customer application achieves greater results, make sure the case study includes the latest information.

Next Steps with TREW Marketing

Looking for additional support to help you get started? We've got your covered.

A good first step would be to download our B2B Case Study Template . This template will take you from blank page to final draft with step-by-step instructions.

Next, consider enrolling in the next session of Content Writing, Engineered , our six week training course with live coaching. This course helps writers, marketers, and engineers work through our proven technical research, writing, review and promotion process. Students will create a final piece content by the end of the course, receiving feedback every step of the way.

TREW is a marketing agency dedicated to reaching engineering and technical audiences through a range of marketing initiatives. Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer.

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About TREW Marketing

TREW Marketing is a strategy-first content marketing agency serving B2B companies that target highly technical buyers. With deep experience in the design, embedded, measurement and automation, and software industries, TREW Marketing provides branding, marketing strategy, content development, and digital marketing services to help customers efficiently and effectively achieve business goals.

Showcasing Excellence in Technical Communication: A Curated Collection of Technical Writing Examples and Articles for 2024

This article explores a diverse range of technical writing examples and articles that exhibit exceptional standards and innovative approaches in the field.

Technical writing is a specialised form of writing that simplifies complex concepts and facilitates effective communication between experts and end-users.

Through real-world examples and insights into different types of technical writing, this collection aims to provide valuable insights into the unique characteristics and strategies employed in each type.

Join us as we delve into the world of technical communication and discover excellence in technical writing for 2024.

Key Takeaways

Technical writing is a niche form of writing that disseminates information on technical or specialised topics, simplifies complex information, and enables readers to use the information for a specific purpose.
There are various types of technical writing, including end-user technical writing, expert-to-expert technical writing, process documentation writing, and technical marketing communications.
End-user technical writing aims to empower users to understand product functionality, solve troubleshooting issues, and enhance user experience.
Expert-to-expert technical writing is written by experts, for experts, and focuses on complex, industry-specific topics, providing in-depth knowledge and analysis within the field.

Case Studies: Real-World Examples of Effective Technical Writing in Action

Among the numerous examples of technical writing, the current discussion topic delves into the realm of case studies, providing a curated collection of real-world instances that showcase the effectiveness of technical writing in action. Case studies are valuable tools for demonstrating how good technical writing articles can effectively communicate complex information to a specific audience.

Case studies serve as examples of technical communication, illustrating how technical writers successfully convey information to users, experts, or stakeholders. These real-world examples highlight the clarity, precision, and usability of technical writing in various contexts.

In a case study, technical writers present a problem or challenge and then outline the steps taken to address it. They articulate the solution in a clear and concise manner, using industry-specific language and appropriate visuals. The goal is to demonstrate how technical writing effectively communicates complex information, enabling readers to understand and utilise the information for a specific purpose.

Case studies showcase the value of technical writing in fields such as software development, engineering, healthcare, and more. They highlight the impact of well-written documentation, user manuals, and instructional guides in enhancing user experience, reducing errors, and increasing productivity.

Best Practices: Key Strategies and Techniques for Achieving Excellence in Technical Communication

Three key strategies and techniques for achieving excellence in technical communication are clarity, precision, and usability. These best practices are essential for effectively conveying complex information to a diverse audience.

Clarity is crucial in technical communication as it ensures that the message is easily understood by the intended audience. Technical writers must use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon and complex terminology whenever possible. By using plain language, writers can make technical content more accessible and user-friendly.

Precision is another key strategy in technical communication. It involves providing accurate and detailed information to the audience. Technical writers must ensure that their content is factually correct and supported by reliable sources. Additionally, they should use precise and specific language to avoid ambiguity and confusion.

Usability focuses on designing technical content in a way that is intuitive and easy to navigate for the audience. Technical writers should consider the needs and expectations of their users when organising and presenting information. By incorporating user-friendly features such as headings, bulleted lists, and visuals, writers can enhance the usability of their content.

Industry Insights: Expert Perspectives and Analysis on the Latest Trends in Technical Writing

The expert perspectives and analysis provided in the industry insights shed light on the latest trends in technical writing. These insights offer valuable information and guidance for professionals in the field, helping them stay updated on the evolving landscape of technical communication.

One of the key trends highlighted in these industry insights is the increasing demand for user-friendly and accessible technical writing. As technology continues to advance, there is a growing need for clear and concise documentation that can be easily understood by users of all levels of technical expertise. Examples of this trend include the use of plain language, visual aids, and interactive elements to enhance user experience.

Another trend identified in the industry insights is the importance of incorporating storytelling techniques into technical writing. By using narratives and real-life examples, technical writers can engage and connect with their audience on a deeper level. This approach not only makes the information more relatable and memorable but also helps in explaining complex concepts in a more accessible manner.

Furthermore, the industry insights highlight the increasing focus on localization and global communication in technical writing. With businesses expanding their reach to international markets, it is crucial for technical writers to adapt their content to different cultural and linguistic contexts. This trend emphasises the need for translators, localization experts, and culturally sensitive communication strategies.

To enhance your technical writing skills, explore the plethora of helpful resources and tools available in the field. These resources and tools can provide valuable guidance and support in improving your writing abilities and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in technical communication.

One valuable resource is the availability of technical writing sample articles. These articles serve as excellent examples of effective technical writing and can provide insights into the structure, tone, and style required in this field. By studying these samples, you can learn how to present complex information in a clear and concise manner, tailor your writing to the intended audience, and effectively communicate technical concepts.

In addition to sample articles, there are various tools that can assist you in enhancing your technical writing skills. Grammar and style checkers can help ensure that your writing is error-free and follows established writing conventions. Collaboration tools can facilitate communication and collaboration with team members, enabling efficient document sharing and editing. Documentation management systems can streamline the process of creating, organising, and publishing technical documents.

Future Trends: Predictions and Insights Into the Evolving Landscape of Technical Communication in 2024

Amidst the rapidly evolving landscape of technical communication in 2024, experts predict significant advancements in tools and methodologies, and provide valuable insights into the future trends shaping the field.

As technology continues to advance, technical communication is expected to adapt and embrace new tools and methods that enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

One of the future trends in technical communication is the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in the creation and delivery of technical content. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are expected to become more prevalent, providing instant and personalised support to users.

Additionally, the use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) is projected to revolutionise the way technical information is presented and consumed. These technologies can enable users to visualise complex concepts and procedures in a more immersive and interactive manner.

Furthermore, with the growing emphasis on accessibility, inclusive design principles are expected to shape the future of technical communication. This includes ensuring that content is accessible to individuals with disabilities and designing user interfaces that are intuitive and user-friendly for all users.

Overall, the future trends in technical communication point towards a more dynamic and engaging user experience, driven by advancements in technology and a focus on inclusivity.

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Frequently asked questions, what are some best practices for effective technical communication.

Best practices for effective technical communication include using clear and concise language and technical article writing vocabulary , organising information logically, considering the audience’s knowledge level, incorporating visual aids, and ensuring accuracy and consistency in content. This way you will avoid some of the technical writing issues in persuasive articles .

How Can Technical Writers Enhance Their Skills and Stay Updated With the Latest Trends?

Technical writers can enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest trends by attending industry conferences, reading about technical writing tips , participating in professional development courses, joining technical writing associations, reading industry publications, and staying active in online communities. Learning about new methods such as technical writing DITA or concepts such as information architecture , metadata or GDPR .

Are There Any Specific Tools or Resources That Can Help Improve Technical Writing?

Yes, there are technical writing software tools and resources that can help improve your technical content writer skills . These include style guides, grammar checkers, writing courses, industry-specific forums, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in technical communication.

Can You Provide Some Real-World Examples of Effective Technical Writing in Action?

Effective technical writing includes user manuals, software installation guides, SOPs, API documentation, and SLAs. There are also important technical writing news and articles . It simplifies complex information, enables readers to use it for specific purposes, and enhances user experience.

What Are the Predicted Future Trends in the Field of Technical Communication for 2024?

The predicted future trends in the field of technical communication for 2024 include increased emphasis on user-centric design, integration of multimedia elements, adoption of artificial intelligence for content creation and delivery, and a focus on creating accessible and inclusive documentation.

In conclusion, this curated collection of technical writing examples and articles for 2024 showcases the excellence and innovation in the field of technical communication.

Through real-world case studies, best practices, industry insights, and tools and resources, readers gain valuable insights into the unique characteristics and strategies employed in different types of technical writing.

As the landscape of technical communication continues to evolve, this collection provides a glimpse into the future trends and predictions for the field.

Technical writing plays a vital role in facilitating effective communication between experts and end-users, and this curated collection highlights the exceptional standards and approaches in this important discipline.

Discover the ScioWire research newsfeed: summarised scientific knowledge ready to digest.

Executive Profiles
Procedure Writing
Work Instructions
Project Plans
Editing and Proofreading
Training Development
Technical Writing Training
Documentation Management and Consulting
Capability and Compliance
Crisis Management and Business Continuity

Case Studies

Frequently Asked Questions
Timely Tips to Improve your Technical Writing
Video Tutorials

IT and cybersecurity documents- Shea case study

Control of Work Documents

Shea worked with the client and a team of subject matter experts to:

Develop a work schedule timeline.
Create a comment tracking worksheet for use throughout the project.
Transition the document into anew template with fresh formatting
Revise the document based on comments from reviewers, management, senior leadership, the operational management system (OMS) Librarian, and legal team.
Organize, merge, and input comments from reviewers, management, and legal team.
Develop a Control of Work guidance document that includes examples of successful practice implementation
Gather and organize information from various applicable Group Defined & Recommended Practices and Interntaional safety standards.
Perform gap analysis based on reference documents and lessons learned.
Facilitate multiple workshops with SMEs.

SOPs for Power Generation Company

In anticipation of an upcoming audit this client hired Shea to:

Quickly complete revisions to hundreds of procedures.
Provide consistent formatting
Update legacy procedures to ensure accuracy.
Develop a consistent procedure template.
Adhere to stated brand guidelines.

Project Support Int. Utilities Company- Shea Case Study

Project Support Services for an International Utilities Company

Initially, Shea provided the following services:

Scribing and editing of meeting decisions and action items

In March 2022, the scope of Shea’s provided services was expanded to include the following:

Document control
Meeting facilitation
Project management support
Capturing existing process workflows and revising them to improve efficiency
Advising functional groups on documentation process improvements
Creating PowerPoint presentations and Visio organizational charts
Scribing for highly confidential meetings and creating follow-up action lists
Developing a Document Control standard operating procedure (SOP) including hyperlinks to document storage
Serving as the central point of contact between the client’s engineering department and external contractors, for critical engineering document review
Maintaining detailed document review logs and critical response dates

Employee handbook for Independent School District in Texas - Shea Case Study

Employee Handbook for a Texas Independent School District

A south Texas ISD contacted Shea Writing & Training Solutions to assist with the annual revision of the district’s Employee Handbook. Shea was hired to:

Work within a tight timeframe.
Create a template with consistent formatting and attention to graphic design.
Format and edit the existing Employee Handbook content.

Our success in providing a visually engaging format and quick turnaround in delivering the revised handbook has led to a continued working relationship with the district, and our engagement in several subsequent projects.

Technical Writing for a National Energy Company

Shea became a preferred vendor and developed hundreds of standards, guidelines, procedures, and technical papers for the client. When assistance was needed, the client often requested a specific Shea technical writer by name. Even as the energy company weathered management changes and oil price fluctuations, the Shea relationship was deemed business critical.

Throughout our ongoing engagement with the energy company, Shea’s writers met challenging deadlines and significantly improved company processes related to writing and approving internal and external publications. Shea solidified a lasting client relationship by consistently providing the company with expert writers who contributed to setting and meeting company goals.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

Book Title: Technical Writing Essentials

Subtitle: Introduction to Professional Communications in the Technical Fields

Authors: Suzan Last and UNH College of Professional Studies Online

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Book Description: This open textbook is designed to introduce readers to the basics of technical communication: audience and task analysis in workplace contexts, clear and concise communications style, effective document design, teamwork and collaboration, and fundamental research skills.

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This book is a cloned version of Technical Writing Essentials by Suzan Last, published using Pressbooks under a CC BY (Attribution) license. It may differ from the original.

Technical Writing Essentials Copyright © by Suzan Last and UNH College of Professional Studies Online is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Communication studies

How to write a case study — examples, templates, and tools

It’s a marketer’s job to communicate the effectiveness of a product or service to potential and current customers to convince them to buy and keep business moving. One of the best methods for doing this is to share success stories that are relatable to prospects and customers based on their pain points, experiences, and overall needs.

That’s where case studies come in. Case studies are an essential part of a content marketing plan. These in-depth stories of customer experiences are some of the most effective at demonstrating the value of a product or service. Yet many marketers don’t use them, whether because of their regimented formats or the process of customer involvement and approval.

A case study is a powerful tool for showcasing your hard work and the success your customer achieved. But writing a great case study can be difficult if you’ve never done it before or if it’s been a while. This guide will show you how to write an effective case study and provide real-world examples and templates that will keep readers engaged and support your business.

In this article, you’ll learn:

What is a case study?

How to write a case study, case study templates, case study examples, case study tools.

A case study is the detailed story of a customer’s experience with a product or service that demonstrates their success and often includes measurable outcomes. Case studies are used in a range of fields and for various reasons, from business to academic research. They’re especially impactful in marketing as brands work to convince and convert consumers with relatable, real-world stories of actual customer experiences.

The best case studies tell the story of a customer’s success, including the steps they took, the results they achieved, and the support they received from a brand along the way. To write a great case study, you need to:

Celebrate the customer and make them — not a product or service — the star of the story.
Craft the story with specific audiences or target segments in mind so that the story of one customer will be viewed as relatable and actionable for another customer.
Write copy that is easy to read and engaging so that readers will gain the insights and messages intended.
Follow a standardized format that includes all of the essentials a potential customer would find interesting and useful.
Support all of the claims for success made in the story with data in the forms of hard numbers and customer statements.

Case studies are a type of review but more in depth, aiming to show — rather than just tell — the positive experiences that customers have with a brand. Notably, 89% of consumers read reviews before deciding to buy, and 79% view case study content as part of their purchasing process. When it comes to B2B sales, 52% of buyers rank case studies as an important part of their evaluation process.

Telling a brand story through the experience of a tried-and-true customer matters. The story is relatable to potential new customers as they imagine themselves in the shoes of the company or individual featured in the case study. Showcasing previous customers can help new ones see themselves engaging with your brand in the ways that are most meaningful to them.

Besides sharing the perspective of another customer, case studies stand out from other content marketing forms because they are based on evidence. Whether pulling from client testimonials or data-driven results, case studies tend to have more impact on new business because the story contains information that is both objective (data) and subjective (customer experience) — and the brand doesn’t sound too self-promotional.

89% of consumers read reviews before buying, 79% view case studies, and 52% of B2B buyers prioritize case studies in the evaluation process.

Case studies are unique in that there’s a fairly standardized format for telling a customer’s story. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for creativity. It’s all about making sure that teams are clear on the goals for the case study — along with strategies for supporting content and channels — and understanding how the story fits within the framework of the company’s overall marketing goals.

Here are the basic steps to writing a good case study.

1. Identify your goal

Start by defining exactly who your case study will be designed to help. Case studies are about specific instances where a company works with a customer to achieve a goal. Identify which customers are likely to have these goals, as well as other needs the story should cover to appeal to them.

The answer is often found in one of the buyer personas that have been constructed as part of your larger marketing strategy. This can include anything from new leads generated by the marketing team to long-term customers that are being pressed for cross-sell opportunities. In all of these cases, demonstrating value through a relatable customer success story can be part of the solution to conversion.

2. Choose your client or subject

Who you highlight matters. Case studies tie brands together that might otherwise not cross paths. A writer will want to ensure that the highlighted customer aligns with their own company’s brand identity and offerings. Look for a customer with positive name recognition who has had great success with a product or service and is willing to be an advocate.

The client should also match up with the identified target audience. Whichever company or individual is selected should be a reflection of other potential customers who can see themselves in similar circumstances, having the same problems and possible solutions.

Some of the most compelling case studies feature customers who:

Switch from one product or service to another while naming competitors that missed the mark.
Experience measurable results that are relatable to others in a specific industry.
Represent well-known brands and recognizable names that are likely to compel action.
Advocate for a product or service as a champion and are well-versed in its advantages.

Whoever or whatever customer is selected, marketers must ensure they have the permission of the company involved before getting started. Some brands have strict review and approval procedures for any official marketing or promotional materials that include their name. Acquiring those approvals in advance will prevent any miscommunication or wasted effort if there is an issue with their legal or compliance teams.

3. Conduct research and compile data

Substantiating the claims made in a case study — either by the marketing team or customers themselves — adds validity to the story. To do this, include data and feedback from the client that defines what success looks like. This can be anything from demonstrating return on investment (ROI) to a specific metric the customer was striving to improve. Case studies should prove how an outcome was achieved and show tangible results that indicate to the customer that your solution is the right one.

This step could also include customer interviews. Make sure that the people being interviewed are key stakeholders in the purchase decision or deployment and use of the product or service that is being highlighted. Content writers should work off a set list of questions prepared in advance. It can be helpful to share these with the interviewees beforehand so they have time to consider and craft their responses. One of the best interview tactics to keep in mind is to ask questions where yes and no are not natural answers. This way, your subject will provide more open-ended responses that produce more meaningful content.

4. Choose the right format

There are a number of different ways to format a case study. Depending on what you hope to achieve, one style will be better than another. However, there are some common elements to include, such as:

An engaging headline
A subject and customer introduction
The unique challenge or challenges the customer faced
The solution the customer used to solve the problem
The results achieved
Data and statistics to back up claims of success
A strong call to action (CTA) to engage with the vendor

It’s also important to note that while case studies are traditionally written as stories, they don’t have to be in a written format. Some companies choose to get more creative with their case studies and produce multimedia content, depending on their audience and objectives. Case study formats can include traditional print stories, interactive web or social content, data-heavy infographics, professionally shot videos, podcasts, and more.

5. Write your case study

We’ll go into more detail later about how exactly to write a case study, including templates and examples. Generally speaking, though, there are a few things to keep in mind when writing your case study.

Be clear and concise. Readers want to get to the point of the story quickly and easily, and they’ll be looking to see themselves reflected in the story right from the start.
Provide a big picture. Always make sure to explain who the client is, their goals, and how they achieved success in a short introduction to engage the reader.
Construct a clear narrative. Stick to the story from the perspective of the customer and what they needed to solve instead of just listing product features or benefits.
Leverage graphics. Incorporating infographics, charts, and sidebars can be a more engaging and eye-catching way to share key statistics and data in readable ways.
Offer the right amount of detail. Most case studies are one or two pages with clear sections that a reader can skim to find the information most important to them.
Include data to support claims. Show real results — both facts and figures and customer quotes — to demonstrate credibility and prove the solution works.

6. Promote your story

Marketers have a number of options for distribution of a freshly minted case study. Many brands choose to publish case studies on their website and post them on social media. This can help support SEO and organic content strategies while also boosting company credibility and trust as visitors see that other businesses have used the product or service.

Marketers are always looking for quality content they can use for lead generation. Consider offering a case study as gated content behind a form on a landing page or as an offer in an email message. One great way to do this is to summarize the content and tease the full story available for download after the user takes an action.

Sales teams can also leverage case studies, so be sure they are aware that the assets exist once they’re published. Especially when it comes to larger B2B sales, companies often ask for examples of similar customer challenges that have been solved.

Now that you’ve learned a bit about case studies and what they should include, you may be wondering how to start creating great customer story content. Here are a couple of templates you can use to structure your case study.

Template 1 — Challenge-solution-result format

Start with an engaging title. This should be fewer than 70 characters long for SEO best practices. One of the best ways to approach the title is to include the customer’s name and a hint at the challenge they overcame in the end.
Create an introduction. Lead with an explanation as to who the customer is, the need they had, and the opportunity they found with a specific product or solution. Writers can also suggest the success the customer experienced with the solution they chose.
Present the challenge. This should be several paragraphs long and explain the problem the customer faced and the issues they were trying to solve. Details should tie into the company’s products and services naturally. This section needs to be the most relatable to the reader so they can picture themselves in a similar situation.
Share the solution. Explain which product or service offered was the ideal fit for the customer and why. Feel free to delve into their experience setting up, purchasing, and onboarding the solution.
Explain the results. Demonstrate the impact of the solution they chose by backing up their positive experience with data. Fill in with customer quotes and tangible, measurable results that show the effect of their choice.
Ask for action. Include a CTA at the end of the case study that invites readers to reach out for more information, try a demo, or learn more — to nurture them further in the marketing pipeline. What you ask of the reader should tie directly into the goals that were established for the case study in the first place.

Template 2 — Data-driven format

Start with an engaging title. Be sure to include a statistic or data point in the first 70 characters. Again, it’s best to include the customer’s name as part of the title.
Create an overview. Share the customer’s background and a short version of the challenge they faced. Present the reason a particular product or service was chosen, and feel free to include quotes from the customer about their selection process.
Present data point 1. Isolate the first metric that the customer used to define success and explain how the product or solution helped to achieve this goal. Provide data points and quotes to substantiate the claim that success was achieved.
Present data point 2. Isolate the second metric that the customer used to define success and explain what the product or solution did to achieve this goal. Provide data points and quotes to substantiate the claim that success was achieved.
Present data point 3. Isolate the final metric that the customer used to define success and explain what the product or solution did to achieve this goal. Provide data points and quotes to substantiate the claim that success was achieved.
Summarize the results. Reiterate the fact that the customer was able to achieve success thanks to a specific product or service. Include quotes and statements that reflect customer satisfaction and suggest they plan to continue using the solution.
Ask for action. Include a CTA at the end of the case study that asks readers to reach out for more information, try a demo, or learn more — to further nurture them in the marketing pipeline. Again, remember that this is where marketers can look to convert their content into action with the customer.

While templates are helpful, seeing a case study in action can also be a great way to learn. Here are some examples of how Adobe customers have experienced success.

Juniper Networks

One example is the Adobe and Juniper Networks case study , which puts the reader in the customer’s shoes. The beginning of the story quickly orients the reader so that they know exactly who the article is about and what they were trying to achieve. Solutions are outlined in a way that shows Adobe Experience Manager is the best choice and a natural fit for the customer. Along the way, quotes from the client are incorporated to help add validity to the statements. The results in the case study are conveyed with clear evidence of scale and volume using tangible data.

The story of Lenovo’s journey with Adobe is one that spans years of planning, implementation, and rollout. The Lenovo case study does a great job of consolidating all of this into a relatable journey that other enterprise organizations can see themselves taking, despite the project size. This case study also features descriptive headers and compelling visual elements that engage the reader and strengthen the content.

Tata Consulting

When it comes to using data to show customer results, this case study does an excellent job of conveying details and numbers in an easy-to-digest manner. Bullet points at the start break up the content while also helping the reader understand exactly what the case study will be about. Tata Consulting used Adobe to deliver elevated, engaging content experiences for a large telecommunications client of its own — an objective that’s relatable for a lot of companies.

Case studies are a vital tool for any marketing team as they enable you to demonstrate the value of your company’s products and services to others. They help marketers do their job and add credibility to a brand trying to promote its solutions by using the experiences and stories of real customers.

When you’re ready to get started with a case study:

Think about a few goals you’d like to accomplish with your content.
Make a list of successful clients that would be strong candidates for a case study.
Reach out to the client to get their approval and conduct an interview.
Gather the data to present an engaging and effective customer story.

Adobe can help

There are several Adobe products that can help you craft compelling case studies. Adobe Experience Platform helps you collect data and deliver great customer experiences across every channel. Once you’ve created your case studies, Experience Platform will help you deliver the right information to the right customer at the right time for maximum impact.

To learn more, watch the Adobe Experience Platform story .

Keep in mind that the best case studies are backed by data. That’s where Adobe Real-Time Customer Data Platform and Adobe Analytics come into play. With Real-Time CDP, you can gather the data you need to build a great case study and target specific customers to deliver the content to the right audience at the perfect moment.

Watch the Real-Time CDP overview video to learn more.

Finally, Adobe Analytics turns real-time data into real-time insights. It helps your business collect and synthesize data from multiple platforms to make more informed decisions and create the best case study possible.

Request a demo to learn more about Adobe Analytics.

https://business.adobe.com/blog/perspectives/b2b-ecommerce-10-case-studies-inspire-you

https://business.adobe.com/blog/basics/business-case

https://business.adobe.com/blog/basics/what-is-real-time-analytics

The Anatomy of a Captivating Technical Case Study

September 19, 2023
Blog , Content Strategy , Developer Marketing

You’ve just finished crafting the widget to end all widgets. So have your competitors.

Sure, yours may represent a heroic, world-saving solution. Yet how do you get potential customers to believe it — especially when your rival is already contracting out designers for their superhero costumes?

It might be tempting to release a flashy ad rife with spandex-clad Super Devs. Yet, in reality, you need a marketing approach that cuts to the quick of why your widget is the best solution. You must convince a notoriously discerning tech audience that your widget can help solve their challenges. A technical case study provides the evidence.

A simple testimonial may garner the occasional appreciative nod, whereas a superbly executed case study tells a multidimensional story to showcase your product’s real-world impact. The ideal result is a substance-rich narrative that informs and persuades.

Read on to discover how to craft a case study that turns heads and changes minds.

The Core Components of a Technical Case Study

An exceptional technical case study balances well-structured, compelling, comprehensive, and memorable writing. It should contain the following four components.

Problem — Establish a relatable scenario that gains your audience’s empathy. Ideally, it should mirror a problem your readers have experienced themselves.

Solution — Introduce your product as the long-sought answer. Don’t mince words or use fluffy language. Be direct about how it changes the game.

Implementation — Show your offering’s practical applications. Paint a picture of the experience your users can expect.

Results — Quantify the outcomes. Be specific, demonstrate cause and effect, and detail how the numbers support your product claims.

It’s critical to remember that while you cater to a technically proficient audience, you’re also writing for decision-makers with less technical expertise. Be thorough yet accessible when you discuss the specs.

Setting the Stage: Presenting the Problem

What engages you as a reader? A lackluster catalog of difficulties or an immersive narrative about overcoming obstacles like the ones you’re facing?

More than an opening act, a well-articulated problem provides context that grounds the issue in the real world and underscores the forthcoming solution’s value. Make your writing real, relatable, and — most critically — human .

Add layers to give your scenario depth and dimension. Do the teams highlighted by the case study work under tight deadlines or contend with process inefficiencies? Are there budget constraints or rigorous compliance standards to consider?

These details resonate with your readers and bolster credibility. The right combination of storytelling and realism makes your readers think, “Hey, I’ve been there!”

Showcasing the Solution

Sound the trumpets! Lay out the red carpet! It’s time for the big reveal.

Remember when Steve Jobs announced the first iPhone by reading off a list of features like names in an address book? Neither do we. And while your widget may not get the same event stage, describe it like you’re sporting a black turtleneck and a projector remote in front of a crowd of thousands.

That is to say, don’t just list your product’s features. Explain how your solution revolutionizes the problem-solving paradigm. Highlight its unique qualities, its advantages over competitors, and how it addresses the problem with a transformative approach. Tell the story of how your solution is far from a quick fix — it’s the path to long-term success.

Speaking of the long game, consider detailing your product’s future potential. How will it scale for a client’s growing needs? Does it integrate smoothly with existing systems or workflows? Technology is fast and fickle, so forward-thinking solutions hold a special allure.

Implementation: From Planning to Practice

When you discuss your product’s implementation, spotlight the journey — your collaboration with your client. Walk the reader through the complete process, including any obstacles you faced. A flawless execution is a pipe dream. Prospective users will see through any such claim. The golden ticket is a realistic representation of the challenges you faced and — most crucially — how your widget transformed obstacles into opportunities.

You can also present the implementation stage’s timeline to establish a sense of pacing. The ability to follow along from the early planning stages to the final steps grounds your story in a reality that reflects that of your prospective users. It also helps them infer how their unique constraints may affect the process.

Quantifying Success: Presenting Results

Numbers speak volumes, but they rarely speak for themselves. While some decision-makers appreciate the raw data, presenting qualitative insights alongside key performance indicators is a great way to anchor your results in reality. Paint the picture that proves your solution didn’t just make a difference — it made the difference.

Although you can complement your numbers with insights, amplifying their impact through direct comparisons provides invaluable context. Did your solution outperform previous methods (or competitors) by 30 percent or reduce downtime by half? Including points of reference transforms mere numbers into narratives of improvement and progress.

The Power of Testimonials and Authenticity

Testimonials don’t replace case studies, yet genuine voices add just the right touch of authenticity. An endorsement from a renowned client is a seal of approval from an influential community asset. At the same time, a shining endorsement from a lesser-known client can resonate with your audience.

Just be sure these testimonials align with your overall storyline. The aim is to enhance rather than distract.

Multimedia elements like audio or video clips are indispensable for testimonials. Providing prospective clients with the direct voice of satisfied customers solidifies a personal, emotional undertone within numbers-heavy narratives. Stick to genuine testimonials: Scripted comments are transparent, defeating the purpose and undermining the story you’re trying to tell.

Visuals and Design: Enhancing Comprehension and Appeal

Not all your media has to move. Visuals like charts and infographics make your complex data palatable to a broader audience and easily digestible for a quick read. Interactive elements like clickable infographics enhance engagement and create a more memorable experience.

Don’t underestimate the role of great design. An accessible and aesthetically pleasing layout invites your users to become a participant in your story — not just a spectator.

Distribution and Promotion: Shining a Spotlight on Your Case Study

You’ve got your world-changing widget. You’ve engineered a case study masterpiece. Now, you need to get your message in front of those who matter.

Who do you turn to? Why, your old friend, search engine optimization (SEO), of course! At this point, you likely know your audience — what they need, how they look for it, and what catches their attention. These aspects are critical to your SEO strategy.

And when you establish an impactful presence on the platforms your audience frequents, you can extend your reach to niche communities that may otherwise be inaccessible. Even if you’re not an industry frontrunner, maintaining active social media profiles keeps your content easily visible and shareable — invaluable traits for getting the word out.

It’s true that when most people hear “technical case study,” they don’t exactly picture fireworks. Yet their anxieties about dull, droning reports quickly vanish when you’ve hit the right note.

Penning an immersive, appealing, and persuasive technical narrative is challenging. This type of material balances detail and accessibility while embracing equal measures of authenticity and accuracy. Still, when you get it just right, you’ve just installed your marketing strategy’s cornerstone.

You made your fantastic product. Now, it’s time to tell your story.

Ready to craft a captivating case study for your technical solution? Partner with ContentLab and let us help you tell your success story in the most compelling way.

Book a free consultation

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What is a Database?

Databases are compilations of information in an organized and searchable system.

An example of a database you're probably quite familiar with is Netflix. Netflix is a database of movies. It's a bunch of movies organized in a way that's very logical. It's organized and broken down by subject areas such as Comedies and Action films. These subject areas are a way of helping you search for information. You can also type in keywords into Netflix such as a title, actor's name, or director's name in Netflix and that information will pop up in the form film results. Like Netflix, we have databases full of specific kinds of resources for you to find information in. In this class, you're specifically looking for case studies. Below you'll find links to a variety of databases where you can kind case studies in different subject areas.

This video gives examples of how to find case studies in four databases, APA PsycInfo , ASM Failure Analysis Center , Business Source Complete , and Sage Research Methods . More databases to find case studies in are listed below.

Databases with Case Studies

ABI/INFORM Complete ABI/INFORM Collection provides coverage of companies and business trends around the world. To find case studies: 1. Go to the Advanced Search page 2. Enter your keywords 3. Go to the box labeled "Document Type," and select "Case Study."
APA PsycInfo Covers the professional and academic literature in psychology and related disciplines including medicine, psychiatry, nursing, sociology, education, pharmacology, physiology, linguistics, and other areas. Includes more than 3.7 million records. 1. Search using your keywords 2. Click search 3. Filter your results to "clinical case studies" under "Methodology" in the left side menu
Business Insights Global Includes case studies from a wide variety of journals and institutions. After opening the database 1. Navigate to "advanced search" 2. Enter your keywords into the search box 3. Then scroll down to "search limiters" and select "case studies" under "content type"
Business Source Complete Business Source Complete contains over 2,000 active, business-related periodicals covering topics such as management, economics, finance, accounting, marketing, banking, and international business. This includes full text of management journals such as Harvard Business Review*, Academy of Management Journal, and the Journal of Marketing. 1. Click on advanced for search screen 2. Type your keywords or subject 3. Look to the bottom left of screen, under "publication type" select "case study"
Computer Science This collection provides unmatched discipline-specific coverage spanning thousands of publications, many in full text. Subject coverage: Computer Science; Information Systems; Computer Security; Database Design; Software Development; Web Commerce; LANs; WANs; Intranets; Internet. To find case studies: 1. Go to the Advanced Search page 2. Enter keywords 3. Go to the box labeled "Document Type," and select "Case Study."
Engineering Case Studies Online Database of key engineering failures and case studies. Browse by case
Sage Research Methods Provides an overview of research methods (quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods) across the social and behavioral sciences. Includes SAGE book and reference material on research methods, and editorially selected material from SAGE journals. Also includes a searchable collection of case studies of real social research, commissioned and designed to help users understand abstract methodological concepts in practice. To browse case studies: 1. Select "Cases" 2. Select a subject area you are interested in (ie. Anthropology, Education, History, etc) 3. Browse cases To search: 1. From the main landing page, enter your keywords and click search. 2. in the left hand menu, select "cases" under content type
ASM Failure Analysis Center The ASM Failure Analysis Center features over 1,000 case histories along with authoritative handbook information on failure mechanisms and analysis methods. Relevant mostly for engineering and materials sciences.
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Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Assignments

Annotated Bibliography
Analyzing a Scholarly Journal Article
Group Presentations
Dealing with Nervousness
Using Visual Aids
Grading Someone Else's Paper
Types of Structured Group Activities
Group Project Survival Skills
Leading a Class Discussion
Multiple Book Review Essay
Reviewing Collected Works
Writing a Case Analysis Paper
Writing a Case Study
About Informed Consent
Writing Field Notes
Writing a Policy Memo
Writing a Reflective Paper
Writing a Research Proposal
Generative AI and Writing
Acknowledgments

A case study research paper examines a person, place, event, condition, phenomenon, or other type of subject of analysis in order to extrapolate key themes and results that help predict future trends, illuminate previously hidden issues that can be applied to practice, and/or provide a means for understanding an important research problem with greater clarity. A case study research paper usually examines a single subject of analysis, but case study papers can also be designed as a comparative investigation that shows relationships between two or more subjects. The methods used to study a case can rest within a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method investigative paradigm.

Case Studies. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Mills, Albert J. , Gabrielle Durepos, and Eiden Wiebe, editors. Encyclopedia of Case Study Research . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2010 ; “What is a Case Study?” In Swanborn, Peter G. Case Study Research: What, Why and How? London: SAGE, 2010.

How to Approach Writing a Case Study Research Paper

General information about how to choose a topic to investigate can be found under the " Choosing a Research Problem " tab in the Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper writing guide. Review this page because it may help you identify a subject of analysis that can be investigated using a case study design.

However, identifying a case to investigate involves more than choosing the research problem . A case study encompasses a problem contextualized around the application of in-depth analysis, interpretation, and discussion, often resulting in specific recommendations for action or for improving existing conditions. As Seawright and Gerring note, practical considerations such as time and access to information can influence case selection, but these issues should not be the sole factors used in describing the methodological justification for identifying a particular case to study. Given this, selecting a case includes considering the following:

The case represents an unusual or atypical example of a research problem that requires more in-depth analysis? Cases often represent a topic that rests on the fringes of prior investigations because the case may provide new ways of understanding the research problem. For example, if the research problem is to identify strategies to improve policies that support girl's access to secondary education in predominantly Muslim nations, you could consider using Azerbaijan as a case study rather than selecting a more obvious nation in the Middle East. Doing so may reveal important new insights into recommending how governments in other predominantly Muslim nations can formulate policies that support improved access to education for girls.
The case provides important insight or illuminate a previously hidden problem? In-depth analysis of a case can be based on the hypothesis that the case study will reveal trends or issues that have not been exposed in prior research or will reveal new and important implications for practice. For example, anecdotal evidence may suggest drug use among homeless veterans is related to their patterns of travel throughout the day. Assuming prior studies have not looked at individual travel choices as a way to study access to illicit drug use, a case study that observes a homeless veteran could reveal how issues of personal mobility choices facilitate regular access to illicit drugs. Note that it is important to conduct a thorough literature review to ensure that your assumption about the need to reveal new insights or previously hidden problems is valid and evidence-based.
The case challenges and offers a counter-point to prevailing assumptions? Over time, research on any given topic can fall into a trap of developing assumptions based on outdated studies that are still applied to new or changing conditions or the idea that something should simply be accepted as "common sense," even though the issue has not been thoroughly tested in current practice. A case study analysis may offer an opportunity to gather evidence that challenges prevailing assumptions about a research problem and provide a new set of recommendations applied to practice that have not been tested previously. For example, perhaps there has been a long practice among scholars to apply a particular theory in explaining the relationship between two subjects of analysis. Your case could challenge this assumption by applying an innovative theoretical framework [perhaps borrowed from another discipline] to explore whether this approach offers new ways of understanding the research problem. Taking a contrarian stance is one of the most important ways that new knowledge and understanding develops from existing literature.
The case provides an opportunity to pursue action leading to the resolution of a problem? Another way to think about choosing a case to study is to consider how the results from investigating a particular case may result in findings that reveal ways in which to resolve an existing or emerging problem. For example, studying the case of an unforeseen incident, such as a fatal accident at a railroad crossing, can reveal hidden issues that could be applied to preventative measures that contribute to reducing the chance of accidents in the future. In this example, a case study investigating the accident could lead to a better understanding of where to strategically locate additional signals at other railroad crossings so as to better warn drivers of an approaching train, particularly when visibility is hindered by heavy rain, fog, or at night.
The case offers a new direction in future research? A case study can be used as a tool for an exploratory investigation that highlights the need for further research about the problem. A case can be used when there are few studies that help predict an outcome or that establish a clear understanding about how best to proceed in addressing a problem. For example, after conducting a thorough literature review [very important!], you discover that little research exists showing the ways in which women contribute to promoting water conservation in rural communities of east central Africa. A case study of how women contribute to saving water in a rural village of Uganda can lay the foundation for understanding the need for more thorough research that documents how women in their roles as cooks and family caregivers think about water as a valuable resource within their community. This example of a case study could also point to the need for scholars to build new theoretical frameworks around the topic [e.g., applying feminist theories of work and family to the issue of water conservation].

Eisenhardt, Kathleen M. “Building Theories from Case Study Research.” Academy of Management Review 14 (October 1989): 532-550; Emmel, Nick. Sampling and Choosing Cases in Qualitative Research: A Realist Approach . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2013; Gerring, John. “What Is a Case Study and What Is It Good for?” American Political Science Review 98 (May 2004): 341-354; Mills, Albert J. , Gabrielle Durepos, and Eiden Wiebe, editors. Encyclopedia of Case Study Research . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2010; Seawright, Jason and John Gerring. "Case Selection Techniques in Case Study Research." Political Research Quarterly 61 (June 2008): 294-308.

Structure and Writing Style

The purpose of a paper in the social sciences designed around a case study is to thoroughly investigate a subject of analysis in order to reveal a new understanding about the research problem and, in so doing, contributing new knowledge to what is already known from previous studies. In applied social sciences disciplines [e.g., education, social work, public administration, etc.], case studies may also be used to reveal best practices, highlight key programs, or investigate interesting aspects of professional work.

In general, the structure of a case study research paper is not all that different from a standard college-level research paper. However, there are subtle differences you should be aware of. Here are the key elements to organizing and writing a case study research paper.

I. Introduction

As with any research paper, your introduction should serve as a roadmap for your readers to ascertain the scope and purpose of your study . The introduction to a case study research paper, however, should not only describe the research problem and its significance, but you should also succinctly describe why the case is being used and how it relates to addressing the problem. The two elements should be linked. With this in mind, a good introduction answers these four questions:

What is being studied? Describe the research problem and describe the subject of analysis [the case] you have chosen to address the problem. Explain how they are linked and what elements of the case will help to expand knowledge and understanding about the problem.
Why is this topic important to investigate? Describe the significance of the research problem and state why a case study design and the subject of analysis that the paper is designed around is appropriate in addressing the problem.
What did we know about this topic before I did this study? Provide background that helps lead the reader into the more in-depth literature review to follow. If applicable, summarize prior case study research applied to the research problem and why it fails to adequately address the problem. Describe why your case will be useful. If no prior case studies have been used to address the research problem, explain why you have selected this subject of analysis.
How will this study advance new knowledge or new ways of understanding? Explain why your case study will be suitable in helping to expand knowledge and understanding about the research problem.

Each of these questions should be addressed in no more than a few paragraphs. Exceptions to this can be when you are addressing a complex research problem or subject of analysis that requires more in-depth background information.

II. Literature Review

The literature review for a case study research paper is generally structured the same as it is for any college-level research paper. The difference, however, is that the literature review is focused on providing background information and enabling historical interpretation of the subject of analysis in relation to the research problem the case is intended to address . This includes synthesizing studies that help to:

Place relevant works in the context of their contribution to understanding the case study being investigated . This would involve summarizing studies that have used a similar subject of analysis to investigate the research problem. If there is literature using the same or a very similar case to study, you need to explain why duplicating past research is important [e.g., conditions have changed; prior studies were conducted long ago, etc.].
Describe the relationship each work has to the others under consideration that informs the reader why this case is applicable . Your literature review should include a description of any works that support using the case to investigate the research problem and the underlying research questions.
Identify new ways to interpret prior research using the case study . If applicable, review any research that has examined the research problem using a different research design. Explain how your use of a case study design may reveal new knowledge or a new perspective or that can redirect research in an important new direction.
Resolve conflicts amongst seemingly contradictory previous studies . This refers to synthesizing any literature that points to unresolved issues of concern about the research problem and describing how the subject of analysis that forms the case study can help resolve these existing contradictions.
Point the way in fulfilling a need for additional research . Your review should examine any literature that lays a foundation for understanding why your case study design and the subject of analysis around which you have designed your study may reveal a new way of approaching the research problem or offer a perspective that points to the need for additional research.
Expose any gaps that exist in the literature that the case study could help to fill . Summarize any literature that not only shows how your subject of analysis contributes to understanding the research problem, but how your case contributes to a new way of understanding the problem that prior research has failed to do.
Locate your own research within the context of existing literature [very important!] . Collectively, your literature review should always place your case study within the larger domain of prior research about the problem. The overarching purpose of reviewing pertinent literature in a case study paper is to demonstrate that you have thoroughly identified and synthesized prior studies in relation to explaining the relevance of the case in addressing the research problem.

III. Method

In this section, you explain why you selected a particular case [i.e., subject of analysis] and the strategy you used to identify and ultimately decide that your case was appropriate in addressing the research problem. The way you describe the methods used varies depending on the type of subject of analysis that constitutes your case study.

If your subject of analysis is an incident or event . In the social and behavioral sciences, the event or incident that represents the case to be studied is usually bounded by time and place, with a clear beginning and end and with an identifiable location or position relative to its surroundings. The subject of analysis can be a rare or critical event or it can focus on a typical or regular event. The purpose of studying a rare event is to illuminate new ways of thinking about the broader research problem or to test a hypothesis. Critical incident case studies must describe the method by which you identified the event and explain the process by which you determined the validity of this case to inform broader perspectives about the research problem or to reveal new findings. However, the event does not have to be a rare or uniquely significant to support new thinking about the research problem or to challenge an existing hypothesis. For example, Walo, Bull, and Breen conducted a case study to identify and evaluate the direct and indirect economic benefits and costs of a local sports event in the City of Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. The purpose of their study was to provide new insights from measuring the impact of a typical local sports event that prior studies could not measure well because they focused on large "mega-events." Whether the event is rare or not, the methods section should include an explanation of the following characteristics of the event: a) when did it take place; b) what were the underlying circumstances leading to the event; and, c) what were the consequences of the event in relation to the research problem.

If your subject of analysis is a person. Explain why you selected this particular individual to be studied and describe what experiences they have had that provide an opportunity to advance new understandings about the research problem. Mention any background about this person which might help the reader understand the significance of their experiences that make them worthy of study. This includes describing the relationships this person has had with other people, institutions, and/or events that support using them as the subject for a case study research paper. It is particularly important to differentiate the person as the subject of analysis from others and to succinctly explain how the person relates to examining the research problem [e.g., why is one politician in a particular local election used to show an increase in voter turnout from any other candidate running in the election]. Note that these issues apply to a specific group of people used as a case study unit of analysis [e.g., a classroom of students].

If your subject of analysis is a place. In general, a case study that investigates a place suggests a subject of analysis that is unique or special in some way and that this uniqueness can be used to build new understanding or knowledge about the research problem. A case study of a place must not only describe its various attributes relevant to the research problem [e.g., physical, social, historical, cultural, economic, political], but you must state the method by which you determined that this place will illuminate new understandings about the research problem. It is also important to articulate why a particular place as the case for study is being used if similar places also exist [i.e., if you are studying patterns of homeless encampments of veterans in open spaces, explain why you are studying Echo Park in Los Angeles rather than Griffith Park?]. If applicable, describe what type of human activity involving this place makes it a good choice to study [e.g., prior research suggests Echo Park has more homeless veterans].

If your subject of analysis is a phenomenon. A phenomenon refers to a fact, occurrence, or circumstance that can be studied or observed but with the cause or explanation to be in question. In this sense, a phenomenon that forms your subject of analysis can encompass anything that can be observed or presumed to exist but is not fully understood. In the social and behavioral sciences, the case usually focuses on human interaction within a complex physical, social, economic, cultural, or political system. For example, the phenomenon could be the observation that many vehicles used by ISIS fighters are small trucks with English language advertisements on them. The research problem could be that ISIS fighters are difficult to combat because they are highly mobile. The research questions could be how and by what means are these vehicles used by ISIS being supplied to the militants and how might supply lines to these vehicles be cut off? How might knowing the suppliers of these trucks reveal larger networks of collaborators and financial support? A case study of a phenomenon most often encompasses an in-depth analysis of a cause and effect that is grounded in an interactive relationship between people and their environment in some way.

NOTE: The choice of the case or set of cases to study cannot appear random. Evidence that supports the method by which you identified and chose your subject of analysis should clearly support investigation of the research problem and linked to key findings from your literature review. Be sure to cite any studies that helped you determine that the case you chose was appropriate for examining the problem.

IV. Discussion

The main elements of your discussion section are generally the same as any research paper, but centered around interpreting and drawing conclusions about the key findings from your analysis of the case study. Note that a general social sciences research paper may contain a separate section to report findings. However, in a paper designed around a case study, it is common to combine a description of the results with the discussion about their implications. The objectives of your discussion section should include the following:

Reiterate the Research Problem/State the Major Findings Briefly reiterate the research problem you are investigating and explain why the subject of analysis around which you designed the case study were used. You should then describe the findings revealed from your study of the case using direct, declarative, and succinct proclamation of the study results. Highlight any findings that were unexpected or especially profound.

Explain the Meaning of the Findings and Why They are Important Systematically explain the meaning of your case study findings and why you believe they are important. Begin this part of the section by repeating what you consider to be your most important or surprising finding first, then systematically review each finding. Be sure to thoroughly extrapolate what your analysis of the case can tell the reader about situations or conditions beyond the actual case that was studied while, at the same time, being careful not to misconstrue or conflate a finding that undermines the external validity of your conclusions.

Relate the Findings to Similar Studies No study in the social sciences is so novel or possesses such a restricted focus that it has absolutely no relation to previously published research. The discussion section should relate your case study results to those found in other studies, particularly if questions raised from prior studies served as the motivation for choosing your subject of analysis. This is important because comparing and contrasting the findings of other studies helps support the overall importance of your results and it highlights how and in what ways your case study design and the subject of analysis differs from prior research about the topic.

Consider Alternative Explanations of the Findings Remember that the purpose of social science research is to discover and not to prove. When writing the discussion section, you should carefully consider all possible explanations revealed by the case study results, rather than just those that fit your hypothesis or prior assumptions and biases. Be alert to what the in-depth analysis of the case may reveal about the research problem, including offering a contrarian perspective to what scholars have stated in prior research if that is how the findings can be interpreted from your case.

Acknowledge the Study's Limitations You can state the study's limitations in the conclusion section of your paper but describing the limitations of your subject of analysis in the discussion section provides an opportunity to identify the limitations and explain why they are not significant. This part of the discussion section should also note any unanswered questions or issues your case study could not address. More detailed information about how to document any limitations to your research can be found here .

Suggest Areas for Further Research Although your case study may offer important insights about the research problem, there are likely additional questions related to the problem that remain unanswered or findings that unexpectedly revealed themselves as a result of your in-depth analysis of the case. Be sure that the recommendations for further research are linked to the research problem and that you explain why your recommendations are valid in other contexts and based on the original assumptions of your study.

V. Conclusion

As with any research paper, you should summarize your conclusion in clear, simple language; emphasize how the findings from your case study differs from or supports prior research and why. Do not simply reiterate the discussion section. Provide a synthesis of key findings presented in the paper to show how these converge to address the research problem. If you haven't already done so in the discussion section, be sure to document the limitations of your case study and any need for further research.

The function of your paper's conclusion is to: 1) reiterate the main argument supported by the findings from your case study; 2) state clearly the context, background, and necessity of pursuing the research problem using a case study design in relation to an issue, controversy, or a gap found from reviewing the literature; and, 3) provide a place to persuasively and succinctly restate the significance of your research problem, given that the reader has now been presented with in-depth information about the topic.

Consider the following points to help ensure your conclusion is appropriate:

If the argument or purpose of your paper is complex, you may need to summarize these points for your reader.
If prior to your conclusion, you have not yet explained the significance of your findings or if you are proceeding inductively, use the conclusion of your paper to describe your main points and explain their significance.
Move from a detailed to a general level of consideration of the case study's findings that returns the topic to the context provided by the introduction or within a new context that emerges from your case study findings.

Note that, depending on the discipline you are writing in or the preferences of your professor, the concluding paragraph may contain your final reflections on the evidence presented as it applies to practice or on the essay's central research problem. However, the nature of being introspective about the subject of analysis you have investigated will depend on whether you are explicitly asked to express your observations in this way.

Problems to Avoid

Overgeneralization One of the goals of a case study is to lay a foundation for understanding broader trends and issues applied to similar circumstances. However, be careful when drawing conclusions from your case study. They must be evidence-based and grounded in the results of the study; otherwise, it is merely speculation. Looking at a prior example, it would be incorrect to state that a factor in improving girls access to education in Azerbaijan and the policy implications this may have for improving access in other Muslim nations is due to girls access to social media if there is no documentary evidence from your case study to indicate this. There may be anecdotal evidence that retention rates were better for girls who were engaged with social media, but this observation would only point to the need for further research and would not be a definitive finding if this was not a part of your original research agenda.

Failure to Document Limitations No case is going to reveal all that needs to be understood about a research problem. Therefore, just as you have to clearly state the limitations of a general research study , you must describe the specific limitations inherent in the subject of analysis. For example, the case of studying how women conceptualize the need for water conservation in a village in Uganda could have limited application in other cultural contexts or in areas where fresh water from rivers or lakes is plentiful and, therefore, conservation is understood more in terms of managing access rather than preserving access to a scarce resource.

Failure to Extrapolate All Possible Implications Just as you don't want to over-generalize from your case study findings, you also have to be thorough in the consideration of all possible outcomes or recommendations derived from your findings. If you do not, your reader may question the validity of your analysis, particularly if you failed to document an obvious outcome from your case study research. For example, in the case of studying the accident at the railroad crossing to evaluate where and what types of warning signals should be located, you failed to take into consideration speed limit signage as well as warning signals. When designing your case study, be sure you have thoroughly addressed all aspects of the problem and do not leave gaps in your analysis that leave the reader questioning the results.

Case Studies. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Gerring, John. Case Study Research: Principles and Practices . New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007; Merriam, Sharan B. Qualitative Research and Case Study Applications in Education . Rev. ed. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 1998; Miller, Lisa L. “The Use of Case Studies in Law and Social Science Research.” Annual Review of Law and Social Science 14 (2018): TBD; Mills, Albert J., Gabrielle Durepos, and Eiden Wiebe, editors. Encyclopedia of Case Study Research . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2010; Putney, LeAnn Grogan. "Case Study." In Encyclopedia of Research Design , Neil J. Salkind, editor. (Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2010), pp. 116-120; Simons, Helen. Case Study Research in Practice . London: SAGE Publications, 2009; Kratochwill, Thomas R. and Joel R. Levin, editors. Single-Case Research Design and Analysis: New Development for Psychology and Education . Hilldsale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1992; Swanborn, Peter G. Case Study Research: What, Why and How? London : SAGE, 2010; Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research: Design and Methods . 6th edition. Los Angeles, CA, SAGE Publications, 2014; Walo, Maree, Adrian Bull, and Helen Breen. “Achieving Economic Benefits at Local Events: A Case Study of a Local Sports Event.” Festival Management and Event Tourism 4 (1996): 95-106.

Writing Tip

At Least Five Misconceptions about Case Study Research

Social science case studies are often perceived as limited in their ability to create new knowledge because they are not randomly selected and findings cannot be generalized to larger populations. Flyvbjerg examines five misunderstandings about case study research and systematically "corrects" each one. To quote, these are:

Misunderstanding 1 : General, theoretical [context-independent] knowledge is more valuable than concrete, practical [context-dependent] knowledge. Misunderstanding 2 : One cannot generalize on the basis of an individual case; therefore, the case study cannot contribute to scientific development. Misunderstanding 3 : The case study is most useful for generating hypotheses; that is, in the first stage of a total research process, whereas other methods are more suitable for hypotheses testing and theory building. Misunderstanding 4 : The case study contains a bias toward verification, that is, a tendency to confirm the researcher’s preconceived notions. Misunderstanding 5 : It is often difficult to summarize and develop general propositions and theories on the basis of specific case studies [p. 221].

While writing your paper, think introspectively about how you addressed these misconceptions because to do so can help you strengthen the validity and reliability of your research by clarifying issues of case selection, the testing and challenging of existing assumptions, the interpretation of key findings, and the summation of case outcomes. Think of a case study research paper as a complete, in-depth narrative about the specific properties and key characteristics of your subject of analysis applied to the research problem.

Flyvbjerg, Bent. “Five Misunderstandings About Case-Study Research.” Qualitative Inquiry 12 (April 2006): 219-245.

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A “case study” is similar to a “white paper” although white papers can be more technically detailed in nature.

Simply put, they are both written to convince the reader that something (a product, a service, a company) works.

That “something” could be a product/service, the story of how a product/service or method was implemented successfully, how a specific company operates successfully, or how a group of companies compares in terms of their performance, organizational structure, corporate culture, etc.

If the paper is about the technical details of a product/service or a discussion of a company’s sector performance, then it is more likely called a “White Paper.”

If it is the story of an actual implementation of a solution to solve an issue, then it’s more likely called a “Case Study.”

But the differences between these two types of technical writing products are not absolute and they overlap quite a bit.

Why do people write these papers?

To create positive publicity by publishing or giving them away in return for your inquiry, your order, or at least your name and e-mail address. It’s a soft-marketing tool, the web and print counterpart of an “infomercial,” that actually works in terms of drumming up new business and signups.

Table of Contents

Three main types of case studies

1) Corporate Case Study. How a specific company got to be what it is today. It’s history, specific organizational patterns, past failures, and achievements, etc.

2) Comparative Case Study. How does a specific company compare with others along dimensions X, Y, and Z? What is their profile in their sector/niche? What can we conclude about their relative strengths and weaknesses? What’s the lesson?

3) Issue Case Study. How did a specific company solve a specific problem? In the rest of this article, I will focus on the “Issue Case Study.”

Main components of an issue case study

The idea of a case study is nothing new since it has been taught in business schools around the world for decades now.

It always has 3 important parts:

1) Problem. What is it? What did it cost the organization? Why it was such a pain?

2) Search for solutions. Various alternatives tried to solve the problem. Why did the alternatives fail to solve the problem? Pros and cons of various solutions. How did the organization decide on the specific solution which is the subject of this case study?

3) Implementation of “The Solution” and results. Before-and-After assessment. Numerical comparisons. Wrap it up with a “Lessons Learned” section. And you’re done! Congrats.

Process of writing a case study

1) Always prepare a Documentation Plan (DP) first. Have the DP approved and signed by the authorized client representative who will approve your payment at the end of the project.

2) Identify the PROBLEM, the SOLUTION, and the RESULT. Have them approved by the client in advance so that there will be no mistake whatsoever about the content of your case study. Last minute “surprises” are costly in writing business . Eliminate such unwanted surprises by nailing down the General Outline of your case study and securing the client’s approval before you even write a single word.

3) Do your research and collect your data by reading everything written on the subject; company records; meeting minutes; existing white papers; marketing brochures; articles and presentation notes, etc. Interview everybody who will help you understand how this particular solution helped solve the organization’s problem.

4) Write your case study . Submit it for the first round of reviews .

5) Implement the first set of feedbacks . Write a second and improved copy and turn it in. Ideally, this should also be the last and final copy but it all depends on what you and your client have agreed to in the Documentation Plan (DP).

Make sure the back-and-forth review process does not turn into a nightmare by endless rounds of editing. Your time is money. Try to limit editing to a maximum of THREE rounds and make that a part of your approved-and-signed DP.

Example of a hypothetical case study

PROBLEM: The fuel cost for the trucks of ABC delivery company went up by 15% over the last year. The company has to limit the annual cost increase to 3% in order to avoid bankruptcy.

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS tried or considered: Using new tires and rotating them once in every 6 months (only 1% drop in total fuel cost). Replacing old carburetors with new XYZ brands (only 4% drop). Retraining all drivers on how to drive more efficiently and observe the speed limits (no difference). Etc.

In the end, the company decides to implement an unusual solution suggested in a brain-storming session by a junior sales executive: banning all left and U-turns and redesigning delivery routes.

SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION: ABC company saved 14% in fuel consumption and limited the annual cost increase to only 1% per year.

LESSON LEARNED: Brain-storming and out-of-the-box solutions sometimes generate unusual solutions with spectacular results. Keeping the bottom-up communication channels open can save a company when more “reasonable” alternatives fail.

Tips for writing a case study

Don’t write a novel . A case study is written for the busy executive or decision-maker. Try to limit it to 500 to 1,000 words. A case study should be about two to four 8.5 x 11-inch pages when printed.
Stay away from the “marketing and PR” language in your case study. This is supposed to be an “objective” presentation of “what really works,” remember? Refrain from singing the glories of the company in question.
Use as many numbers as possible to argue the case and make a convincing conclusion. Let the percentages, units, and facts do the talking.
Apply all the classical “tools of the trade” of good technical writing like bulleted lists, using white space, writing in short sentences, starting procedural steps with action verbs, etc.

In closing…

There are thousands of companies out there that need similar case studies written on a regular basis. If the company has a Marketing Manager I would speak with him or her first to see if they need such a case study written.

We live in a big wide wonderful world, teeming with possibilities. Dare to reach out and ask. You might be pleasantly surprised by the positive response. Why? Because as a technical writer you are delivering a real information service needed by real companies.

Write well and prosper.

(Image by Kieran Wood )

About Ugur Akinci

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49 Free Case Study Templates ( + Case Study Format Examples + )
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How to write a Case Study (Tips & 2 Templates)
49 Free Case Study Templates ( + Case Study Format Examples + )

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11 Technical Writing Examples & Samples in 2024
Technical writing maintains a neutral, competent tone throughout its documentation, as the sole purpose of technical writing is to clearly explain complex topics to a non-technical reader. ... Case studies & whitepapers are industry-specific documents that provide real-world examples testifying to an organization's expertise and value, and ...
Top 5 Technical Writing Examples: Real Data and Case Studies
The case studies and real data presented in this blog provide tangible evidence of the positive impact of effective technical writing. Whether it is reducing errors in medical device operation, improving software support, enhancing safety in manufacturing, or simplifying API integration, the power of clear and well-structured documentation ...
How To Write A Great Technical Case Study In Three Hours
Step 2: Organize. The technique you need to write quickly is middle-out composition (thanks, Silicon Valley). Don't start by writing your lede, or your conclusion. Just group your text together by similarity and then write some headers on top of the information groups that seem important or interesting.
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In fact, a recent estimate claims that the cost in the U.S. alone are close to $4 billion annually! [1] Poorly-worded or inefficient emails, careless reading or listening to instructions, documents that go unread due to poor design, hastily presenting inaccurate information, sloppy proofreading — all of these examples result in inevitable costs.
8 Technical Writing Examples to Inspire You
The different types of technical writing have unique characteristics that you can easily learn and master effectively. 1. User Manuals. User manuals or instruction manuals come with various products, such as consumer electronics like televisions, consoles, cellphones, kitchen appliances, and more.
How to Write an Effective Case Study: Examples & Templates
Case study examples. Case studies are proven marketing strategies in a wide variety of B2B industries. Here are just a few examples of a case study: Amazon Web Services, Inc. provides companies with cloud computing platforms and APIs on a metered, pay-as-you-go basis.
How to Write a Successful Technical Case Study
6. Format and length. Be the first to add your personal experience. Technical case studies are powerful content marketing tools that showcase how your product or service solved a specific problem ...
7.7 Writing Instructions
7. COMMON DOCUMENT TYPES. One of the most common and important uses of technical writing is to provide instructions, those step-by-step explanations of how to assemble, operate, repair, or do routine maintenance on something. Although they may seems intuitive and simple to write, instructions are some of the worst-written documents you can find.
Introduction to Technical Writing
Advanced Topics and Career Advancement in our Technical Writing course. This module pushes the boundaries of traditional technical writing, guiding you through advanced documentation for complex systems, integrating multimedia and interactive elements, writing for emerging technologies like VR and AR, and examining innovative case studies.
Technical Writing for Beginners
Technical writing is the art of providing detail-oriented instruction to help users understand a specific skill or product. And a technical writer is someone who writes these instructions, otherwise known as technical documentation or tutorials. This could include user manuals, online support articles, or internal docs for coders/API developers ...
The Engineer's Guide to Writing and Promoting a Case Study
Case studies come into play at every stage of the buyer's journey - from awareness and interest all the way to a purchase decision. If you are investing in content marketing, case studies must be a priority. Here's our 6-step process for writing and promoting full-length technical case studies. How to Write a Case Study . Select the Right ...
Developing technical report writing skills in first and second year
Technical writing skills are vital to professional engineers, but many engineering students find them difficult to master. This paper presents a case study carried out among ~300 first and second year engineering students who had little previous experience in technical writing. The aim was to support them to write better technical reports.
Excellence in Technical Communication: 2024's Best Examples
Case studies showcase the value of technical writing in fields such as software development, engineering, healthcare, and more. They highlight the impact of well-written documentation, user manuals, and instructional guides in enhancing user experience, reducing errors, and increasing productivity.
Case Studies
Technical Writing for a National Energy Company. Shea became a preferred vendor and developed hundreds of standards, guidelines, procedures, and technical papers for the client. When assistance was needed, the client often requested a specific Shea technical writer by name. Even as the energy company weathered management changes and oil price ...
Technical Writing Essentials
This open textbook is designed to introduce readers to the basics of technical communication: audience and task analysis in workplace contexts, clear and concise communications style, effective document design, teamwork and collaboration, and fundamental research skills. Creative Commons Attribution. Read Book.
How to Write a Case Study: A Step-by-Step Guide (+ Examples)
The five case studies listed below are well-written, well-designed, and incorporate a time-tested structure. 1. Lane Terralever and Pinnacle at Promontory. This case study example from Lane Terralever incorporates images to support the content and effectively uses subheadings to make the piece scannable. 2.
How to write a case study
Here are the basic steps to writing a good case study. 1. Identify your goal. Start by defining exactly who your case study will be designed to help. Case studies are about specific instances where a company works with a customer to achieve a goal. Identify which customers are likely to have these goals, as well as other needs the story should ...
The Anatomy of a Captivating Technical Case Study
The Core Components of a Technical Case Study. An exceptional technical case study balances well-structured, compelling, comprehensive, and memorable writing. It should contain the following four components. Problem — Establish a relatable scenario that gains your audience's empathy. Ideally, it should mirror a problem your readers have ...
COMP 317: Case Studies in Professional and Technical Writing
Includes SAGE book and reference material on research methods, and editorially selected material from SAGE journals. Also includes a searchable collection of case studies of real social research, commissioned and designed to help users understand abstract methodological concepts in practice. To browse case studies: 1. Select "Cases" 2.
Writing a Case Study
A case study research paper examines a person, place, event, condition, phenomenon, or other type of subject of analysis in order to extrapolate key themes and results that help predict future trends, illuminate previously hidden issues that can be applied to practice, and/or provide a means for understanding an important research problem with greater clarity.
How to Write an Issue Case Study
Tips for writing a case study. Don't write a novel. A case study is written for the busy executive or decision-maker. Try to limit it to 500 to 1,000 words. A case study should be about two to four 8.5 x 11-inch pages when printed. Stay away from the "marketing and PR" language in your case study.
The Assessment of Technical Writing: A Case Study
This article describes the design and evaluation of a formal writing assessment program within a technical writing course. Our purpose in this base-line study was to evaluate student writing at the conclusion of the course. In implementing this evaluation, we addressed fundamental issues of sound assessment: reliability and validity.
Technical Writing Case Studies
Aruna Panangipally August 25, 2023 Case Studies 1 Comment. Our technical writing team created user and technical documentation such as user manuals, API guides, installation manuals, etc. and marketing content such as blogs & articles for a data visualization platform. In addition, we also created use case-based tutorials with code samples.