Tutorials typically show you how to do something step-by-step, but they rarely explain why it’s done in that particular way or how to adapt it to different circumstances.
Have you ever completed a tutorial only to feel unsure about applying what you’ve learned in real-world situations?
Tutorials are great for teaching us the basics, but mastering complex business and technology skills requires something more.
Introduction: Tutorials vs. Business Cases
You’re left with surface-level knowledge, which can leave you struggling when faced with more challenging or unique problems.
That’s where business cases come in. Unlike tutorials, business case studies challenge you to apply your knowledge in real-world contexts, helping you develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and strategic decision-making abilities.
Business cases push you to think deeply, analyze situations, and offer solutions—skills essential for real-world success.
So, why are business cases a better tool for mastering these skills? In this post, we’ll explore the limitations of tutorials, why business case studies are a more effective learning method, and how you can incorporate them into your learning journey.
The Limitations of Tutorials
The Appeal of Tutorials
There’s no denying that tutorials are popular, especially in today’s digital learning environment. They offer clear instructions, focused learning, and quick results, making them an accessible option for learning new skills.
Here are a few reasons why people love them:
- Step-by-Step Instructions: Tutorials break down complex tasks into manageable steps, which makes them easy to follow.
- Quick Wins: You can complete a tutorial in a matter of hours, giving you a sense of accomplishment quickly.
- Focused Learning: Tutorials tend to focus on a single skill or topic, allowing you to concentrate and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Accessibility: Thanks to platforms like YouTube, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning, you can find tutorials on almost any subject.
In fact, studies show that 94% of employees say they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their learning and development .
With tutorials being so accessible, it’s easy to see why they’re often the first choice for self-learners and professionals looking to sharpen their skills.
The Drawbacks of Tutorials
However, while tutorials have their benefits, they also come with several limitations:
- Surface-Level Understanding: Most tutorials only scratch the surface. They show you how to do something, but they rarely explain why it’s done that way. As a result, learners often develop a shallow understanding of the topic, which can limit their ability to apply the knowledge in real-world scenarios.
- Lack of Critical Thinking: Tutorials provide a pre-determined path to a solution. This limits opportunities for learners to think critically, come up with creative solutions, or explore alternative approaches.
- Dependency: Tutorials can create dependency. You follow a step-by-step guide, but when you’re faced with an unfamiliar problem, you might struggle to solve it without a tutorial to lean on.
- Limited Context: Tutorials are often built around generic examples. They rarely address the specific challenges you’ll face in your industry or business environment, leaving gaps in practical business skills.
In fact, research by Harvard Business Review found that only 12% of employees apply the skills they learn in traditional training programs to their jobs .
That’s a staggering statistic that highlights the limitations of surface-level learning methods like tutorials.
Why Business Cases Are a Practical Learning Method
What Is a Business Case?
A business case is a structured document or presentation that outlines the justification for a project or solution. It analyzes a problem, evaluates potential solutions, and weighs the costs, benefits, and risks.
But more than just a document, a business case is an incredible learning tool that forces you to apply your knowledge in real-world contexts, develop problem-solving frameworks, and enhance your strategic decision-making abilities.
Imagine you’re working on a project at your job. A tutorial might teach you how to use the software involved, but a business case study challenges you to understand the problem, analyze potential solutions, and present your findings to stakeholders.
It pushes you to think critically and apply your knowledge in a way that’s directly relevant to your work.
Why Business Cases Work Better
- Application of Knowledge: Unlike tutorials, business case studies require you to apply your knowledge to real-world problems. You’re not just following steps; you’re actively analyzing problems, proposing solutions, and justifying your decisions. This forces you to understand the material deeply, rather than just memorizing a sequence of steps.
- Critical Thinking: Writing or analyzing a business case pushes you to think critically. You’ll need to evaluate options, weigh the pros and cons, and make decisions—all while considering incomplete or uncertain information. In today’s fast-paced business world, these skills are essential.
- Contextual Learning: Business cases force you to consider the broader context, including industry trends, market conditions, and company-specific challenges. This helps you develop a more nuanced understanding of the material and equips you with practical business skills that you can use in your own career.
- Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Unlike tutorials, business cases don’t provide clear-cut solutions. They present complex problems with multiple potential solutions, helping you develop the problem-solving skills you need to thrive in today’s business environment.
- Preparation for Leadership: Developing business cases helps build skills essential for leadership roles—communication, decision-making, and strategic thinking. According to a report from LinkedIn Learning, 57% of leaders say critical thinking is one of the most crucial skills for leadership . Creating business cases helps you develop those skills by forcing you to think critically and align your solutions with business goals.
Why Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Matter in the Real World
Critical thinking and problem-solving are among the top skills employers look for today. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report highlights that problem-solving skills will be among the top skills required by 2025 .
Industries are disrupted by technology, having the ability to think critically and solve complex problems is what separates high performers from the rest.
In real life, business challenges are often complex and multifaceted, with no one-size-fits-all solution.
Whether you’re navigating market volatility, operational inefficiencies, or strategic pivots, the ability to assess situations critically and offer actionable solutions is invaluable.
Business cases prepare you for these realities by mimicking the complexity of real-world challenges.
Real-World Example: The Power of Business Cases in Action
Take a company like Airbnb, for example. In the early days, Airbnb struggled to gain traction in the market.
The founders could have followed tutorials on growth strategies or marketing tactics, but instead, they developed a business case based on their real-world problem:
How do they gain more users? They identified a key issue—poor-quality photos on listings were deterring potential renters.
By analyzing the situation through a business case framework, Airbnb’s founders came up with a solution: hire professional photographers to improve the quality of the listings. This decision was based on critical thinking, real-world problem-solving, and strategic alignment with their business goals. The result? A sharp increase in bookings, setting Airbnb on a path to becoming a multi-billion-dollar company.
Developing a Strong Business Case
So how do you develop a compelling business case that solves problems and demonstrates your value? Follow these six steps:
- Identify the Problem: Clearly define the problem or opportunity you’re addressing. What’s the issue? Why does it matter? Keep your problem statement focused and concise.
- Conduct a Situation Analysis: Gather relevant data and analyze the situation. This includes understanding both internal and external factors that impact the problem, such as industry trends, market conditions, or company-specific challenges.
- Explore Possible Solutions: Brainstorm potential solutions, considering the costs, benefits, and risks associated with each. Don’t forget to factor in both short- and long-term outcomes.
- Evaluate the Options: Once you’ve identified potential solutions, evaluate them based on their feasibility, alignment with business goals, and overall impact.
- Develop the Business Case: Create a detailed document outlining the problem, proposed solution, and implementation plan. Make sure to include a financial analysis, risk assessment, and contingency plan.
- Present the Business Case: Present your business case to stakeholders. Use clear, concise language, and tailor your presentation to your audience. Visual aids like charts or infographics can help communicate your message effectively.
Practical Tips for Creating Business Cases
- Know Your Audience: Tailor your case to your audience’s specific concerns and priorities. Different stakeholders have different focuses—CFOs care about financials, while department heads are more concerned with operational impacts.
- Use Data: Support your arguments with data. Whether it’s market research or financial projections, solid data adds credibility to your proposal. According to Forbes, data-driven decision-making can lead to an 8-10% increase in profitability .
- Anticipate Risks: Every proposal comes with risks. Address them head-on by identifying potential challenges and offering strategies for mitigation.
- Align with Business Goals: Ensure your business case aligns with the company’s broader objectives. This shows that you’re thinking strategically and considering long-term success.
My Take on Bootcamps
Like everything in life, bootcamps have their place. They’re a fast and efficient way to learn new skills, especially for those looking to break into tech or switch careers.
I don’t believe that attending a bootcamp for a few months can make you a fully-fledged software engineer or DevOps engineer.
Becoming proficient in these fields takes years of hands-on experience, trial and error, and learning from mistakes. It’s not just about earning a badge or a title—it’s about a lifelong commitment to solving problems and improving the world through technology.
One concern I have with bootcamps is that they often give people only a fraction of the full picture.
Graduates may emerge with the same skillset as everyone else, formatted to fit into the immediate needs of companies.
That’s not necessarily bad; it fills the growing demand for specialized skills.
But the risk is that, without ongoing learning and diverse experiences, bootcamp graduates may become limited in their growth.
Hands-on experience is your best ally.
The more you dive into real-world challenges, the more you’ll grow. And don’t just stop there—read widely from different sources and perspectives.
Relying solely on what you learned in a bootcamp can make you part of a company’s tech debt, or worse, just another bug in the workforce.
The real path to success is continuous learning, problem-solving, and staying curious.
The “Tutorial Trap” Dilemma
Tutorials often skim the surface, offering a basic understanding of concepts but leaving you stranded when it’s time to apply them in real-world scenarios.
You may feel confident following along, but when you’re on your own, the clarity fades, and you’re left unsure of how to navigate your projects independently.
Tutorials rarely equip you with the more profound problem-solving skills needed to adapt and think critically when faced with unique challenges.
Still, it is a great way for quick fixes or to get started.
How Not Get Trapped in Tutorial Trap/Hell
Many of us find ourselves quickly consumed by a whirlwind of information.
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of creating projects, but without a strategic approach, we can feel more lost than enlightened.
The challenge lies in following along and genuinely absorbing the knowledge and skills we need to progress as developers.
Initially, it’s tempting to dive headfirst into tutorials, following each step without pause.
However, the real value comes from stepping back and taking a moment to conceptualize what you want to create.
Before hitting play, think about the project you have in mind—what are the core features?
What problems do you want to solve? For instance, if you aim to build a random color generator, outline the necessary components, like how you’ll store the colors and how you want the user interaction to flow.
This initial planning sharpens your focus and sets the stage for deeper learning.
Next, don’t shy away from trial and error. Feeling apprehensive about building something independently is natural, especially if you’re unsure of your skills. Yet, attempting to translate your ideas into code—even if it’s imperfect—can be incredibly empowering.
Utilize online resources to explore basic concepts; for instance, if you’re unfamiliar with arrays, a quick search can lead you to the foundational knowledge you need.
As you begin watching tutorials, resist the urge to absorb everything in one go. Instead, pause frequently to digest what you’ve learned.
This is crucial for comprehension.
If a particular concept leaves you scratching your head, take the time to research it.
This reinforces your understanding and cultivates your problem-solving skills—an essential trait for any developer.
After completing a tutorial, embrace the unexpected by deliberately introducing errors into your project. This exercise demystifies error messages, transforming them from frustrating obstacles into valuable learning opportunities.
You'll gain insight into the rationale behind the instructor's choices by experimenting with different coding approaches—like changing variable declarations or altering functions.
Finally, leap to recreate the project in your unique style. Whether you modify the design, add new features, or employ alternative coding techniques, this hands-on experimentation fosters creativity and builds confidence.
By doing so, you will solidify your understanding of the material and cultivate a mindset of curiosity and resilience—key ingredients for success in the tech world.
Frequent Questions
Disadvantages of tutorials: Tutorials often provide only surface-level understanding, limiting real-world application and critical thinking.
Are tutorials an excellent way to learn?: Tutorials are good for learning basics but lack depth for mastering complex skills.
Is tutoring and tutorials the same thing?: No, tutoring involves personalized guidance, while tutorials are pre-structured, self-guided lessons.
What are tutorials in the UK? Tutorials refer to small group or one-on-one academic sessions focused on in-depth learning and discussion.
Conclusion: Business Cases Over Tutorials for Mastery
While tutorials help learn the basics, they rarely equip you with the skills to tackle real-world challenges.
Business case studies are far more effective because they challenge you to apply your knowledge in practical, real-world contexts.
They enhance your critical thinking, develop problem-solving frameworks, and prepare you for leadership roles by fostering strategic decision-making.
If you’re serious about mastering complex business and technology skills, incorporate business cases into your learning journey.
Move beyond tutorials and embrace the real-world challenges that business cases offer—you’ll find yourself better prepared for success in your career.
Key Takeaways
- Tutorials are great for learning basics but lack depth in critical thinking and real-world application.
- Business case studies develop essential workplace skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and strategic decision-making.
- Writing and analyzing business cases helps you prepare for leadership roles and align solutions with broader business goals.
- Use data and context in your business cases to support your arguments and provide credibility to your proposals.