What does BPI consider a "best practice"?

BPI defines a best practice as a program or system that achieves sustainable positive results over time through a full lifecycle of diagnosis, assessment, design, implementation, support, and evaluation.

What is the correct perspective for writing a BPI case study?

Case studies must be written in the third person (e.g., "the company implemented..."). The first person ("I developed...") is discouraged because it can appear self-serving and reduces the work's credibility.

How should I structure a case study for BPI?

A BPI case study must be structured around a six-phase approach for interventions. You are required to provide comprehensive data and a detailed description for each phase, starting with Diagnosis.

Why is it important to use evidence and examples in a case study?

Providing direct evidence, specific examples, and participant testimonials is crucial for credibility. Avoid making laudatory claims about a program without offering concrete proof to support them.

What kind of materials should I include as exhibits in my case study?

Include practical exhibits such as tools, evaluation forms, questionnaires, training materials, and competency models that help the reader understand and apply the methods described in your case study.

Best Practice Case Study: A Guide for Your System

What is a BPI Best Practice?

Best Practice Institute (BPI) defines a best practice as a program, intervention, or organizational system that achieves sustainable, positive results over time. This is accomplished through a comprehensive lifecycle that includes six phases:

Diagnosis
Assessment
Design
Implementation
Continuous Support
Evaluation

A Framework for Global Change

Before documenting a best practice, it is helpful to understand how it fits within a broader strategy for organizational growth. An effective framework for global change involves a sequence of integrated systems:

Talent Identification: Begin by using a best practice talent and succession plan to identify high-potential individuals.
Performance Differentiation: Implement a performance management system to assess and differentiate talent effectively.
Leadership Development: Develop your identified talent through a dedicated best practice leadership development program.
Value Alignment: Align all systems with the organization's global values to foster widespread change and growth.

How to Develop a Best Practice Case Study

The primary purpose of a BPI case study is to provide our audience with a clear, well-written, and comprehensive "cookbook" for implementing a successful intervention or system in their own organization. Adhering to the following guidelines will ensure your submission is clear, credible, and actionable.

Core Writing Rules

Write Clearly: Use proper grammar and a straightforward style that is understandable to the average reader.
Stay Focused: Be specific to the issues and questions relevant to the chapter outline.
Use the Third Person: Write about your company's work from a third-person perspective (e.g., "The organization discovered..."). Avoid using the first person ("I created...") to maintain credibility. Your biography is the appropriate place for personal attribution.
Provide Evidence: Do not praise a program without providing direct evidence, data, or participant testimonials. Unsubstantiated claims undermine the case study's authority.
Be Specific: Include concrete examples of training, business challenges addressed, or tools used. Specificity helps the reader visualize and understand the process.
Include Exhibits: Provide relevant tools, evaluation forms, questionnaires, competency models, or other materials that can be included as exhibits to create a practical guide for the reader.

Case Study Structure: The Six-Phase Approach

Your case study will be evaluated on its innovative design, strategic fit, results, and overall effectiveness. The structure must follow the six-phase approach for successful interventions, providing comprehensive data for each stage.

Phase One - Diagnosis: This initial phase involves a diagnostic step to identify the business drivers for the intervention. Describe the specific business needs, challenges, or opportunities that prompted the initiative. What was the impetus for change?

Best Practice Institute

Best Practice Institute is the research organization behind Most Loved Workplace® certification, the SPARK Model, the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI™), and The Workplace Report.

The Workplace Report

The Workplace Report is BPI's original workplace culture research and editorial briefing series for CEOs, CHROs, people leaders, talent leaders, and employer-brand teams. It turns BPI's 25 years of research, Most Loved Workplace® certification data, SPARK findings, and current workforce signals into practical analysis leaders can use.

The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.

Developing a Best Practice Case Study for Your Intervention or System