Futures Thinking, Trends and Transformations - Opinto-opas

Upon completion of the course, the student is able to
• understand the importance of future orientation and trend watching for the success of businesses and individuals
• research the most important technologies, global events and big ideas that are shaping the future to discover new possibilities and opportunities for doing business
• apply innovative development methods to futures thinking and scenario planning in a chosen industry
• describe the different stages and key steps of the transformation process
• innovate ideas for business transformations for the future and provide solutions and scenarios for how to adapt to and benefit from the future changes

Part 1: Industry, trends and scenarios
Future orientation and trend analysis. Application of an innovative development method to selected trends and scenario planning in the chosen industry.

Part 2: Letter from the future
Transformation description of how the trends and transformation will shape the chosen industry: business opportunities and possibilities

When the implementation type of the course is CONTACT, ONLINE or BLENDED it is required that the student is present during those teaching hours that are marked in the study schedule. If you are absent more than 25 %, your grade will be lowered by one. If you are absent more than 50 %, the course is failed.

The student is aware of future orientation and trend watching for the success of businesses and individuals. The student can identify potential technologies, global events and big ideas that are shaping the future to a limited degree. The student finds it challenging to apply innovative development methods to futures thinking and scenario planning in a chosen industry. The student has basic understanding of the importance of innovating ideas for business transformations for the future. The student needs help in finding solutions and scenarios for how to adapt to and benefit from the future changes. The student understands some of the stages and key steps of the transformation process.

The student understands the importance of future orientation and trend watching for the success of businesses and individuals. The student can identify potential technologies, global events and big ideas that are shaping the future rather well. The student is able to apply innovative development methods to futures thinking and scenario planning in a chosen industry. The student has a rather good understanding of the importance of innovating ideas for business transformations for the future. The student is able to find solutions and scenarios for how to adapt to and benefit from the future changes. The student understands the stages and key steps of the transformation process fairly well.

The student understands and can justify the importance of future orientation and trend watching for the success of businesses and individuals. The student can identify potential technologies, global events and big ideas that are shaping the future very well. The student is able to apply and evaluate innovative development methods to futures thinking and scenario planning in a chosen industry. The student has a very good understanding of the importance of innovating ideas for business transformations for the future. The student is able to find versatile solutions and scenarios for how to adapt to and benefit from the future changes. The student understands the stages and key steps of the transformation process very well.

Part 1: Industry, trends and scenarios (60%)
Part 2: Letter from the future (40%)

This is a virtual course with no contact hours. Independent study in network environment. Feedback provided for parts 1-2. The assessment of one’s own learning 1 h.

Material available on the Moodle platform.

The course supports the students in their own research/development project which is related to the business community.

Porvoo Campus

Deadlines of assignments are available on the course Moodle site. No exams for this course.

English

International learning materials and assignment contents.

18.08.2025 - 12.12.2025

Part 1 = 60 % (video or report) Future orientation and trend analysis (The importance of futures thinking, definitions; analysing, anticipating and forecasting future trends) Innovative development methods (Applying the two step method for making scenarios). Part 2 = 40 % (letter) Transformation description: How the trends and transformation will shape the chosen industry: business opportunities and possibilities You can complete the assignments on your own or with another student.

Week 34. Have a look at the course contents.
Week 35. Choose and describe your industry.
Week 36. Describe the megatrends that affect the world in the decades to come.
Week 37. Describe the two most interesting industry-related trends you focus on.
Week 38. Finalise the trend section of your video/report
Week 39. Explore the two step method for making scenarios
Week 40. Describe the two step method for making scenarios
Week 41. Start making scenarios and document it on the video/report.
Week. 42. Intensive week.
Week 43. Continue making scenarios and document it on the video/report.
Week 44. Deadline: Submit your trends and scenarios assignment (Part 1).
Week 45. Transformation: Look back.
Week 46. Transformation: Paint the big picture.
Week 47. Describe the key steps to business transformation (apply the Six Hats)
Week 48. Deadline: Submit your letter from the future assignment (Part 2).
Week 49-50: Submit official course feedback.

NONSTOP
REE6PC1
VIRTUAL
INSTRUCTED
EXCH

Learning by using the work-based learning method “Work&Study” according to on a plan if the learning goals of the course can be obtained through the student´s work or hobby.

Demonstration (of earlier skills and knowledge in the course content).

Anu Seppänen, Annika Konttinen

25 - 100

Part 1 = 60 % (video or report)
Part 2 = 40 % (letter)

RESTO Restonomi

0.00 cr

5.00 cr

H-5