Instant Case Studies: How to Design, Adapt, and Use Case Studies in Training. (2004). Jean Barbazette. Pfeiffer. 336 pp., $50.00. ISBN 0-7879-6885-4.

Review by: Anita Carter

Wayne State University

This book offers clear, step-by-step instructions on creating case studies for a variety of uses and includes a CD-ROM that may be used with the 67 case studies developed for classrooms and on-the-job training. The most useful feature for advising professionals is found in Part 1 where Barbazette has described how to develop, adapt, and use case studies. In this section, Barbazette also introduces five types of case studies, each with a different purpose.

The table of contents is organized by topic, and each chapter is devoted to a different topic. Some of the topics most useful for an advising office or institution of higher education include needs assessment, influencing, facilitation, diversity, and change management.

Other nice features include sample questions for development in the areas of identification, problem solving, and practical application; an 8-step process for writing a good case study; a case study critique sheet; and facilitator processing questions. Barbazette also outlines, with cautionary notes, the benefits of using cases studies in training.

I found the book, with its narrow application, to be somewhat restricting and would have liked to have seen a broader range of examples. However, in the introduction, the author is very clear about the audience and purpose of the book. While the examples contained in the book are not geared toward professionals in educational institutions, the principles described could be utilized in any profession. This is not a book that I would recommend for every advisor or advising office. However, for those responsible for training or those reengineering office practices, it might be a good investment for their professional libraries.