Futures Thinking, Trends and Transformations (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Schedule

Week 34. Have a look at the course contents. Deadline: Submit your pre-assignment.

Week 35. Start your hunt for future trends. First decide 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. Deadline: Submit your trends report (Part 1).

Week 39. Development methods: Explore and describe the Six Hats method.

Week 40. Development methods: Set up a session with the Six Hats method and document it on the video/report.

Week 41. Scenario development: Explore and describe the two-step method for making scenarios.

Week. 42. Scenario development: Set up a session with the two-step method for making scenarios and document it on the video/report.

Week 43. Scenario development: Set up a session with the two-step method for making scenarios and document it on the video/report.

Week 44. Finalising the video/report. Deadline: Submit your methods and scenarios assignment (Part 2).

Week 45. Transformation: Look back and paint the big picture.

Week 46. Transformation: Describe the key steps to business transformation. Deadline: Submit your letter from the future assignment (Part 3).

Week 47. Deadline: Submit your post-assignment.

Week 48-50: Submit official course feedback.

Implementation methods, demonstration and Work&Study

a) This is a virtual course with no contact hours. Independent study in network environment. Written feedback provided for parts 1-3. Assessment of one’s own learning.

b) Learning by using the work-based learning method "Work&Study" according to a plan that shows how the learning goals of the course can be obtained through the student's work or hobby. More information from responsible teachers or academic advisors.

c) Demonstration (of earlier skills and knowledge in the course content). More information from responsible teachers or academic advisors.

Materials

Canton, J. 2015. Future Smart – Managing the Game-Changing Trends That Will Transform Your World.

Paul, H. 2019. Critical Terms in Futures Studies.

Siilasmaa, R. 2018. Transforming NOKIA: The Power of Paranoid Optimism to Lead Through Colossal Change.

Journals and magazines (e.g. Journal of Futures Studies), studies by international organisations (e.g. OECD, WEF, UNWTO, WTTC, IATA and Sitra) and other electronic sources.

Teaching methods and instruction

This is a virtual course with no contact hours. Independent study in network environment. Weekly updates send to students. Feedback provided for parts 1-3.

Working life connections

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

Exam dates and re-exam possibilities

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

Internationality

International learning materials and assignment contents.

Completion alternatives

Assignments 1 & 2 can also be done in a report format (instead of a video).

Learning assignments

Pre-assignment: Personal expectations and goals for the module

Part 1: Future orientation and trend analysis (The importance of futures thinking, definitions; analysing, anticipating and forecasting future trends)

Part 2: Innovative development methods (applying Six Hats method and scenario planning)

Part 3: Transformation description: How the trends and transformation will shape the chosen industry: business opportunities and possibilities

Post-assignment: Evaluation of own learning and goals reached during the module

Assessment methods

Parts 1-3: Assignments (reports, videos) 100%