Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

Student
Knows and can apply the methods of futures studies and forecasting in understanding and taking control of changes in the operating environment.
Can connect futures studies and forecasting as well as development based on future knowledge to strategic management and planning.

Content (course unit)

Futures studies and foresight
Operational environment analysis
Megatrends, trends, weak signals
Futures table
Scenarios
Applying future knowledge to strategic planning
Agile strategizing and creative ideation

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student can identify and define phenomena and basic concepts related to the topic. The student knows the process of futures studies and forecasting, as well as different methods of futures studies and forecasting. The student knows how to apply one of the futures studies methods and performs the given tasks, but cannot, for example, justify his choices. If necessary, the student works in a group and takes responsibility for his own performance.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

In addition to the previous one, the student is able to structure the relationships between phenomena and concepts related to the topic and to choose and apply appropriate methods of futures studies and forecasting with justification. The student takes responsibility and commits not only to his own activities but also to the activities of the group.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

In addition to the previous ones, the student understands the wide-ranging entities of the subject area and the relationships between them, knows how to search for different methods of futures studies and forecasting, and evaluates and creatively applies them.

Location and time

Three remote sessions via Zoom, 1 Jan, 8 Feb, and 7 Mar with various content areas.

Exam schedules

No exam.

Assessment methods and criteria

Evaluation criteria:
Operational environment analysis assignment (group assignment); share of 25% of the total value.
Scenario assignment (group assignment); share of 25% of the total value.
Personal application task; share of 50% of the total value.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Remote lectures via Zoom, small group assignments and individual reflection- ja application work.

Learning materials

Materials on the Moodle course page, teacher's materials and Master's students self-directed acquisition of knowledge.

Student workload

Joint remote learning (teacher-driven) ~20 h
Working in small groups and individually (student-driven) ~80 h
Familiarization with the materials ~35 h

Content scheduling

1st remote session via Zoom consists of introduction and PESTE analysis; the 2nd remote session via Zoom consists of scenario thinking and weak signals, and the 3rd remote session via Zoom deals with scenario presentations and strategic foresight and agile strategizing.

Completion alternatives

No optional execution methods. Maximum absence 1/2 days. A replacement task for absence.

Practical training and working life cooperation

The applicable individual task is linked to working life cooperation, and the group tasks are related to predicting the future of working life on a more general level.

International connections

The learning material is partly based on international discussions and texts.

Further information

Completing the course requires solid small group work both during and outside of teaching sessions. The course will be implemented in the spring of 2024 completely remotely via Zoom.