Coaching Handbook: An Action Kit for Trainers and Managers

A case study is a story about a situation or event relating to the objectives of the session or programme. It may be presented on paper, on video or using a personal narration. In coaching, a case study is a useful alternative to discussing the real-life experience of the coachee “ this takes away some of the personal feelings about the situation and may prompt the coachee to think more objectively about it.

The purpose of a case study is to help your coachee to consider how he or she would respond in a certain situation and to put together a logical and objective response. The case study should be adapted so that it is as close to a real-life situation as possible, but so that actual incidents cannot be identified.

Questions to ask coachees when they are working on a case study include:

• What was the real issue in this situation?

• How could this situation have been prevented?

• How would you act in this situation?

• What can you learn from this situation to support you in your work?