Futures Thinking, Trends and Transformations (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Schedule

Week 13. Have a look at the course contents and start your hunt for future trends. First decide your industry.

Week 14. Describe the megatrends that affect the world in the decades to come and describe the two most interesting industry-related trends you focus on.

Week 15. Apply the two-step method for making scenarios.

Week 16: Describe the scenarios with the environmental scanning wheel.

Week 17: Finalise your industry, trends and scenarios video/report. Deadline part 1: Industry, trends and scenarios video/report.

Week 18. Transformation: Apply the six hats method.

Week 19. Describe the key steps to business transformation in form of a letter from the future.

Week 20. Deadline part 2: Submit your letter from the future assignment and the official course feedback.

Implementation methods, demonstration and Work&Study

a) This is a virtual course with no contact hours. Independent study in network environment. Moodle feedback provided for parts 1-2. 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.

Intro

With strong futures thinking skills, you will have a competitive advantage in seeing the future before it happens. You will be able to consider possibilities that others do not see coming. You will learn to unveil opportunities that will help a business thrive or to tackle a future change that a company needs to be prepared for. You will also be ready to help others in preparing for and adapting to the future.

Teaching methods and instruction

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.

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.

Learning assignments

Part 1, 3 cr
Future orientation and trend analysis (The importance of futures thinking, definitions; analysing, anticipating and forecasting future trends)
Innovative development methods (Applying two step method and environmental scanning wheel for making scenarios).

Part 2, 2 cr
Transformation description: How the trends and transformation will shape the chosen industry: business opportunities and possibilities