Study Guide

Objective

The Master’s thesis is a demanding development project or research work combining theory, praxis and creation of new knowledge. The thesis subject and aim are based on requirements and needs of working life.

By completing the thesis, the student demonstrates mastery of the following objectives:
- combine theoretical framework and pragmatic work with the contextual needs in a meaningful development project
- network and communicate professionally with relevant organisations and communities
- evaluate critically sources and methods, select the suitable ones and use them systematically and ethically
- possess the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development
- document, report and give presentations of the project and the final results

Content

The Master’s thesis process consists of three stages.

At the second phase the work continues by deepening and widening the theoretical framework based on earlier research and other literature. The goal is to combine the theory with practice. This research phase is presented on the second seminar and discussed with the seminar participants and the supervisors. After the second seminar the student updates the thesis draft.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Qualifications

Master's thesis, part 1

Objective

After completing the course, the student is able to:

- retrieve, analyse and interpret information based on future research methods and anticipatory design methods for service development

- utilise gained new knowledge and design services for future societal and business needs

- manage a future-oriented service design process

- enhance sustainable development, by taking into consideration multi-stakeholder partnerships that share knowledge, expertise, technology, and other resources for future needs of society

Content

- Gathering, analysing and processing information based on future research methods for future service development
- Anticipatory service design methods
- Scenarios thinking
- Service scenario planning and visualization
- Service design project - adapting theory to a future working life project with a commissioner

Location and time

28.8.2025, 8:30–16:15 – Matias BYOD, EDU_3003
10.10.2025, 8:30–16:15 – Evert Muunto BYOD, EDU_2030

Materials

Aalto University. 2020. Weak signals bring messages from the future
https://www.aalto.fi/en/news/weak-signals-bring-messages-from-the-future

Ahvenharju, S., Minkkinen, M. & Lalot, F. 2019. The five Dimensions of Futures Consciousness. Futures 104 (2018)1–13.
https://winlandtutkimus.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/AhvenharjuEtAl.pdf

Dufva, M. Articles of future research on Sitra. https://www.sitra.fi/en/people/mikko-dufva/

Durst, C., Durst, M. & Saffer, M. 2017. Weak Signals, Hypes or Trends – Identify Innovation Opportunities and stayahead of your Game.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315459689_Weak_Signals_Hypes_or_Trends_-_Identify_Innovation_Opportunities_and_stay_ahead_of_your_Game

Jörgensen, S. & Pedersen, L.J.T. 2018. Restart Sustainable Business Model Innovation. (e-book)
https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/id/1ff59df3-7e36-41f6-bde5-11ca5f263b20/1007028.pdf

Kelly, M. 2012. Owning our Future. The Emerging Ownership Revolution. (e-book)
https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.novia.fi/lib/novia-ebooks/detail.action?docID=915456

Kuisma, K. 2018. Service Design meets Futures Design. https://medium.com/new-things-co/service-design-meets-futures-design-164fd64d142f

Lindgren, M. & Bandhold, H. 2009. Scenario Planning: The link between future and strategy. Palgrave Macmillan.

Mager, B. 2020. The Future of Service Design.https://www.academia.edu/44459133/The_Future_of_Service_Design
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285895246_Foresight_and_Service_Design_Boosting_Dynamic_Capabilities_in_Service_Innovation

Van Patter, G.K., Pastor, E. & Jones, P. 2020. Rethinking Design Thinking: Making Sense of the Future That HasAlready Arrived. Humantific & NextDesign Leadership Network.

Teaching methods

Lectures, group work
Service design project work
Presentations
Peer evaluation
Learning diary

Completion alternatives

According to the principles for credit transfer.

Student workload

Workload approximately 135 h:
- Contact sessions ca 20 h
- Distance studies 115 h

Learning Diary (Reflection on your learnings) 20h
PESTLE-analysis and project plan 15 h
Research and service design project 30 h
Final Report 15 h
Self and peer feedback 5h
Presentations 5 h
Multiple Choice Exam 25h
Learning diary 20 h

Further information

The course is realized as a service design project work for a commissioner, which is published in Itslearning.
The purpose of the study project is to innovate future services and to research what kind of sustainable services and service possibilities would be needed in the future, year 2050.
The course starts with an individual pre-assignment researching the political, economic, social, technological, legal,and environmental factors of commissioner's services during the summer. Otherwise the project is done as a group work.

Responsible teachers Reija Anckar (Novia) and Riikka Kulmala (Tuas).

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Objects and methods of assessment:
The process portfolio, which describes the progress of the whole process from the brief to the end with different research and service design development stages. It consists of text and visualized perception material and other documents necessary for the reader to be able to understand the process.

Assessment criteria of the process portfolio:
- Analytical approach
- Applying of future research and service design methods for innovative problem solving
- Development process of the ideas to future service scenarios
- Informativeness and visualisation of the process portfolio
Project management competences.
Active participation and interaction in the group work.
All the required tasks returned in time.
Lecturers´, self and peer evaluation. Scale 0-5.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

- Quantity: the work is not completed and or;
- Quality: the minimum content requirements are not met

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

1 Sufficient
- Ability to reflect and communicate are hardly acceptable
2 Satisfactory
-Ability to reflect and communicate are on an acceptable level
-Appears to grasp the theory

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

3 Good
- Capacity of thinking and ability to communicate are good
- Shows good understanding and reflection of theory
4 Very good
Capacity of thinking and ability to communicate are very good
- Shows very good understanding of the topics and reflection of theory

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5 Excellent
-Mastery of theory and ability to open up one’s insights
-Outstanding thoughts and ability to communicate

Qualifications

Competense objectives for Service Design Thinking course (5 ects) and Service Design Methods and Tools course ( 5ects) or corresponding competences obtained.

Objective

After completing the course, the student is able to:

- analyse changing situations and utilise design thinking for the challenges of society

- implement service design as a strategic tool for sustainable change processes in businesses and society

- work in an initiative and proactive way for the change

-involve organisations to adopt sustainable practices

Content

- Adapting design thinking in complex development needs of the changing society in a sustainable way
- Policies for sustainable development
- Life-centered design
- Analysing operations, and planning and developing strategies for an organisation to deal with changing situations
- Service design project - adapting theory to a real working life project with a commissioner

Location and time

31.10.2025, 8:30–16:15 – Evert Muunto BYOD, EDU_2030
28.11.2025, 8:30–16:15 – Evert Muunto BYOD, EDU_2030

Materials

Buehring, J. & Bishop, P.C. 2020. Foresight and Design: New Support for Strategic DecisionMaking. She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics and Innovation. Volume 6, Issue 3, Autumn2020, pp 408 – 432. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405872620300423

Kehusmaa, K. 2010. Strategiatyö – Organisaation voimanlähde. https://kauppakamaritieto-fi.ezproxy.turkuamk.fi/ammattikirjasto/teos/strategiatyo2010#kohta:Strategiaty((f6)((20)((2013)((20)organisaation((20)voimanl((e4)hde

Kerestegian, S. 2019. Life-centred Design.
https://creativeregion.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Stiven-Kerestegian-on-Life-Centred-Design.pdf

Lucidchart. 2021. Top Frameworks for Strategic Planning.https://www.lucidchart.com/blog/strategic-planning-frameworks

Mager, B. 2020. The Future of Service Design.https://www.academia.edu/44459133/The_Future_of_Service_Design

Owens, J. 2019. 10 Principles of Life-centered Design. How we May Begin to Design for a Futureof Inclusivity.
https://medium.com/the-sentient-files/10-principles-of-life-centered-design-3c5f543414f3

Salmela, K. 2020. Strateginen palvelumuotoilu - kohti vaikuttavampaa palvelukehitystä. LaureaUAS. Master’s thesis.
https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/353899/Salmela_Kim.pdf?sequence=2

Stroh, P. J. 2014. Business strategy: Plan, execute, win!https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/turkuamk-ebooks/reader.action?docID=1651191

Suri, J.F. 2019. The Future is Life-centered. Podcast. https://www.mixed-methods.org/episodes/2019/7/24/the-future-is-symbiotic-jane-fulton-suri-ideo

Trischler, J., & Charles, M. 2019. The application of a service ecosystems lens to public policyanalysis and design: exploring the frontiers. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. Vol. 38(1), 19-35. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0743915618818566

Trollbäck & Company. The New Division. (n.d.) The Global Goals Design.
https://www.thenewdivision.world/globalgoals

Wataya, H. 2020. Designing for Change through Life Centered Approach.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/designing-change-through-life-centered-approach-helena-wataya?articleId=6666080714812866560

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
https://kestavakehitys.fi/en/agenda2030

Additional links to tools will be published on the learning platform.

Teaching methods

Lectures and group work.
Strategic service design project work for a commissioner as a group work
Presentations.
Peer feedback.

Employer connections

The course and the project are a continuation of the previous course Service Design and Future Challenges, possibly with the same commissioner.

The purpose of the study project is to develop strategies and services for the commissioner.

You will work in groups of 3 – 4 persons. Your goal during the course is to create a strategy (vision, mission, values and culture) with service concepts, and finally design a road map for cooperation and engagement of stakeholders concerning the strategy.

Exam schedules

The deadline for the final assignment (process portfolio and video/oral presentation) will be published later.
Deadline for overdue assignments will be published later.

Completion alternatives

According to the principles for credit transfer.

Student workload

Workload approximately 135 h:
- Contact sessions ca 16 h
- Distance studies ca 119 h

Pre-assignment 4 h
Research and service design project 80 h
Report, and video/oral presentation for the commissioner 35 h

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

All the assignments returned in time.
Active participation and interaction in the group work
Report of the process and results including service concepts and strategy, and a video presentation for the commissioner.

Assessment criteria of project work:
Analytical approach
Usage of appropriate methods and tools for development
Contents of service concepts and strategy
Informativeness of documentation

Lecturers’, self and peer evaluation

Scale 1 – 5

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

- Quantity: the work is not completed and or;
- Quality: the minimum content requirements are not met

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Sufficient 1
Theory and methodology are poorly understood and implemented in real life project.
Research, service design, communication and documentation are hardly acceptable.
Active participation.

Satisfactory 2
Appear to grasp theory and have made a start in showing its applicability in real life project.
Research, service design, communication and documentation are acceptable.
Active participation.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Good 3
Understanding of theory and applicability of methods in real life project, but work could bestronger.
Research, service design, communication and documentation are good.
Active participation.

Very Good 4
General understanding of theory and methods, very good implementation in real life project.
Reliable research, innovative service design and communication and documentation on goodlevel.
Very active participation.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5
Mastery of theory and methods, proficiency of implementation of them in real-life project.
Outstanding research, innovative service design and excellent communication anddocumentation.
Very active participation.

Qualifications

Competence objectives for Service Design Thinking course (5 ects) and Service Design Methods and Tools course (5 ects) and Service Design and Future Challenges course ( ects) or corresponding competences obtained.

Objective

After completing the course, the student is able to:

- analyse changing situations and utilise design thinking for the challenges of society

- implement service design as a strategic tool for sustainable change processes in businesses and society

- work in an initiative and proactive way for the change

-involve organisations to adopt sustainable practices

Content

- Adapting design thinking in complex development needs of the changing society in a sustainable way
- Policies for sustainable development
- Life-centered design
- Analysing operations, and planning and developing strategies for an organisation to deal with changing situations
- Service design project - adapting theory to a real working life project with a commissioner

Location and time

31.10.2025, 8:30–16:15 – Evert Muunto BYOD, EDU_2030
28.11.2025, 8:30–16:15 – Evert Muunto BYOD, EDU_2030

Materials

Buehring, J. & Bishop, P.C. 2020. Foresight and Design: New Support for Strategic DecisionMaking. She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics and Innovation. Volume 6, Issue 3, Autumn2020, pp 408 – 432. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405872620300423

Kehusmaa, K. 2010. Strategiatyö – Organisaation voimanlähde. https://kauppakamaritieto-fi.ezproxy.turkuamk.fi/ammattikirjasto/teos/strategiatyo2010#kohta:Strategiaty((f6)((20)((2013)((20)organisaation((20)voimanl((e4)hde

Kerestegian, S. 2019. Life-centred Design.
https://creativeregion.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Stiven-Kerestegian-on-Life-Centred-Design.pdf

Lucidchart. 2021. Top Frameworks for Strategic Planning.https://www.lucidchart.com/blog/strategic-planning-frameworks

Mager, B. 2020. The Future of Service Design.https://www.academia.edu/44459133/The_Future_of_Service_Design

Owens, J. 2019. 10 Principles of Life-centered Design. How we May Begin to Design for a Futureof Inclusivity.
https://medium.com/the-sentient-files/10-principles-of-life-centered-design-3c5f543414f3

Salmela, K. 2020. Strateginen palvelumuotoilu - kohti vaikuttavampaa palvelukehitystä. LaureaUAS. Master’s thesis.
https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/353899/Salmela_Kim.pdf?sequence=2

Stroh, P. J. 2014. Business strategy: Plan, execute, win!https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/turkuamk-ebooks/reader.action?docID=1651191

Suri, J.F. 2019. The Future is Life-centered. Podcast. https://www.mixed-methods.org/episodes/2019/7/24/the-future-is-symbiotic-jane-fulton-suri-ideo

Trischler, J., & Charles, M. 2019. The application of a service ecosystems lens to public policyanalysis and design: exploring the frontiers. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. Vol. 38(1), 19-35. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0743915618818566

Trollbäck & Company. The New Division. (n.d.) The Global Goals Design.
https://www.thenewdivision.world/globalgoals

Wataya, H. 2020. Designing for Change through Life Centered Approach.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/designing-change-through-life-centered-approach-helena-wataya?articleId=6666080714812866560

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
https://kestavakehitys.fi/en/agenda2030

Additional links to tools will be published on the learning platform.

Teaching methods

Lectures and group work.
Strategic service design project work for a commissioner as a group work
Presentations.
Peer feedback.

Employer connections

The course and the project are a continuation of the previous course Service Design and Future Challenges, possibly with the same commissioner.

The purpose of the study project is to develop strategies and services for the commissioner.

You will work in groups of 3 – 4 persons. Your goal during the course is to create a strategy (vision, mission, values and culture) with service concepts, and finally design a road map for cooperation and engagement of stakeholders concerning the strategy.

Exam schedules

The deadline for the final assignment (process portfolio and video/oral presentation) will be published later.
Deadline for overdue assignments will be published later.

Completion alternatives

According to the principles for credit transfer.

Student workload

Workload approximately 135 h:
- Contact sessions ca 16 h
- Distance studies ca 119 h

Pre-assignment 4 h
Research and service design project 80 h
Report, and video/oral presentation for the commissioner 35 h

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

All the assignments returned in time.
Active participation and interaction in the group work
Report of the process and results including service concepts and strategy, and a video presentation for the commissioner.

Assessment criteria of project work:
Analytical approach
Usage of appropriate methods and tools for development
Contents of service concepts and strategy
Informativeness of documentation

Lecturers’, self and peer evaluation

Scale 1 – 5

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

- Quantity: the work is not completed and or;
- Quality: the minimum content requirements are not met

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Sufficient 1
Theory and methodology are poorly understood and implemented in real life project.
Research, service design, communication and documentation are hardly acceptable.
Active participation.

Satisfactory 2
Appear to grasp theory and have made a start in showing its applicability in real life project.
Research, service design, communication and documentation are acceptable.
Active participation.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Good 3
Understanding of theory and applicability of methods in real life project, but work could bestronger.
Research, service design, communication and documentation are good.
Active participation.

Very Good 4
General understanding of theory and methods, very good implementation in real life project.
Reliable research, innovative service design and communication and documentation on goodlevel.
Very active participation.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5
Mastery of theory and methods, proficiency of implementation of them in real-life project.
Outstanding research, innovative service design and excellent communication anddocumentation.
Very active participation.

Qualifications

Competence objectives for Service Design Thinking course (5 ects) and Service Design Methods and Tools course (5 ects) and Service Design and Future Challenges course ( ects) or corresponding competences obtained.

Objective

After completing the course, the student is able to:

- retrieve, analyse and interpret information based on future research methods and anticipatory design methods for service development

- utilise gained new knowledge and design services for future societal and business needs

- manage a future-oriented service design process

- enhance sustainable development, by taking into consideration multi-stakeholder partnerships that share knowledge, expertise, technology, and other resources for future needs of society

Content

- Gathering, analysing and processing information based on future research methods for future service development
- Anticipatory service design methods
- Scenarios thinking
- Service scenario planning and visualization
- Service design project - adapting theory to a future working life project with a commissioner

Location and time

28.8.2025, 8:30–16:15 – Matias BYOD, EDU_3003
10.10.2025, 8:30–16:15 – Evert Muunto BYOD, EDU_2030

Materials

Aalto University. 2020. Weak signals bring messages from the future
https://www.aalto.fi/en/news/weak-signals-bring-messages-from-the-future

Ahvenharju, S., Minkkinen, M. & Lalot, F. 2019. The five Dimensions of Futures Consciousness. Futures 104 (2018)1–13.
https://winlandtutkimus.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/AhvenharjuEtAl.pdf

Dufva, M. Articles of future research on Sitra. https://www.sitra.fi/en/people/mikko-dufva/

Durst, C., Durst, M. & Saffer, M. 2017. Weak Signals, Hypes or Trends – Identify Innovation Opportunities and stayahead of your Game.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315459689_Weak_Signals_Hypes_or_Trends_-_Identify_Innovation_Opportunities_and_stay_ahead_of_your_Game

Jörgensen, S. & Pedersen, L.J.T. 2018. Restart Sustainable Business Model Innovation. (e-book)
https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/id/1ff59df3-7e36-41f6-bde5-11ca5f263b20/1007028.pdf

Kelly, M. 2012. Owning our Future. The Emerging Ownership Revolution. (e-book)
https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.novia.fi/lib/novia-ebooks/detail.action?docID=915456

Kuisma, K. 2018. Service Design meets Futures Design. https://medium.com/new-things-co/service-design-meets-futures-design-164fd64d142f

Lindgren, M. & Bandhold, H. 2009. Scenario Planning: The link between future and strategy. Palgrave Macmillan.

Mager, B. 2020. The Future of Service Design.https://www.academia.edu/44459133/The_Future_of_Service_Design
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285895246_Foresight_and_Service_Design_Boosting_Dynamic_Capabilities_in_Service_Innovation

Van Patter, G.K., Pastor, E. & Jones, P. 2020. Rethinking Design Thinking: Making Sense of the Future That HasAlready Arrived. Humantific & NextDesign Leadership Network.

Teaching methods

Lectures, group work
Service design project work
Presentations
Peer evaluation
Learning diary

Completion alternatives

According to the principles for credit transfer.

Student workload

Workload approximately 135 h:
- Contact sessions ca 20 h
- Distance studies 115 h

Learning Diary (Reflection on your learnings) 20h
PESTLE-analysis and project plan 15 h
Research and service design project 30 h
Final Report 15 h
Self and peer feedback 5h
Presentations 5 h
Multiple Choice Exam 25h
Learning diary 20 h

Further information

The course is realized as a service design project work for a commissioner, which is published in Itslearning.
The purpose of the study project is to innovate future services and to research what kind of sustainable services and service possibilities would be needed in the future, year 2050.
The course starts with an individual pre-assignment researching the political, economic, social, technological, legal,and environmental factors of commissioner's services during the summer. Otherwise the project is done as a group work.

Responsible teachers Reija Anckar (Novia) and Riikka Kulmala (Tuas).

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Objects and methods of assessment:
The process portfolio, which describes the progress of the whole process from the brief to the end with different research and service design development stages. It consists of text and visualized perception material and other documents necessary for the reader to be able to understand the process.

Assessment criteria of the process portfolio:
- Analytical approach
- Applying of future research and service design methods for innovative problem solving
- Development process of the ideas to future service scenarios
- Informativeness and visualisation of the process portfolio
Project management competences.
Active participation and interaction in the group work.
All the required tasks returned in time.
Lecturers´, self and peer evaluation. Scale 0-5.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

- Quantity: the work is not completed and or;
- Quality: the minimum content requirements are not met

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

1 Sufficient
- Ability to reflect and communicate are hardly acceptable
2 Satisfactory
-Ability to reflect and communicate are on an acceptable level
-Appears to grasp the theory

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

3 Good
- Capacity of thinking and ability to communicate are good
- Shows good understanding and reflection of theory
4 Very good
Capacity of thinking and ability to communicate are very good
- Shows very good understanding of the topics and reflection of theory

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5 Excellent
-Mastery of theory and ability to open up one’s insights
-Outstanding thoughts and ability to communicate

Qualifications

Competense objectives for Service Design Thinking course (5 ects) and Service Design Methods and Tools course ( 5ects) or corresponding competences obtained.

Objective

The Master’s thesis is a demanding development project or research work combining theory, praxis and creation of new knowledge. The thesis subject and aim are based on requirements and needs of working life.

By completing the thesis, the student demonstrates mastery of the following objectives:
- combine theoretical framework and pragmatic work with the contextual needs in a meaningful development project
- network and communicate professionally with relevant organisations and communities
- evaluate critically sources and methods, select the suitable ones and use them systematically and ethically
- possess the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development
- document, report and give presentations of the project and the final results

Content

The Master’s thesis process consists of three stages.

At the second phase the work continues by deepening and widening the theoretical framework based on earlier research and other literature. The goal is to combine the theory with practice. This research phase is presented on the second seminar and discussed with the seminar participants and the supervisors. After the second seminar the student updates the thesis draft.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Qualifications

Master's thesis, part 1