Course content

The course introduces basics in design methods focusing on service design methods to innovate new services or improve existing services in one's own business in the public or private sector. Themes like strategic planning and co-creation with different stakeholders, and designing user centered digital interventions play a central role in this topic. The course also focuses strongly on the opportunity that arises because of technology development and digitization in the services of the future. The course focuses on UNSDG Goals # 9, by focusing on sustainable development of services to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. The course combines theoretical learning with project work that are linked to specific cases brought in by the course participants and that are relevant to their business. These projects are done in groups as per the choice of the participants. This implies that the course participants are in practice at work during the course and can take the result home to their business and use it directly in the further development of the service they offer.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: After completing the course

● the candidate has both theoretical and hands on knowledge of design methods and service design framework

● the candidate can identify key principles (user-centered, co-creative, holistic, visual, tested) in service design

● the candidate can visualize and actively participate in a innovating or improving service

● the candidate has knowledge of prerequisites for successful change processes (leadership, anchoring, decision-making, organization, creativity) that ultimately benefit the end user, service provider and society

● the candidate has knowledge of how technology and digitalisation can create new and better services

Skills: After completing the course

● the candidate has training in application of design principles and use of different methods for service development and innovation

● the candidate can formulate a problem and further plan a service design process

● the candidate can document, interpret and analyze insight data

● the candidate can include relevant stakeholders and meet their wishes and needs in the design process and develop solution for improved or new service

● the candidate can use the service design methodology in his business

General competence: After completing the course, the candidate has expanded understanding and ability to create new and value-creating services that benefit the end user, service provider and society

Learning methods and activities

Pedagogy for the course

The pedagogy for the course is highly interactive and encourages peer learning and hands on learning on real life projects.

Course participants choose the cases themselves or in collaboration with the course Coordinator based on their own professional background, work experience and learning objectives. A description of the project cases has to be submitted to the coordinator 1 week before the course. Participants will be formed in groups on the first day of the module focusing on projects with similar themes. This is a great learning opportunity to improve the peer learning and group working learning across domains.

The project cases form the basis for exploration using well-known service design methodologies. The teaching is based on gatherings/two-day seminars, with lecturers from academia NTNU and Industry. It will be decided before the semester starts, whether the gatherings are carried out physically or digitally.

Work on project assignment 15 hours

Teaching module 1, 15 hours

Online mentoring for each group - between module1 and 2 7.5 hours

Work on project 40 hours

teaching module 2, 15 hours

Work with project report before submission: 100 hours

Mid-term and final presentation.

Compulsory assignments

• Participation workshop 1+2
• Participation online courses 1+2

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

The primary target group is managers, project managers and advisers in the private and public sector. The learning of the course will be applicable to all sectors and disciplines that work with digitization processes in connection with service development and service innovation. The secondary target group is project staff, developers, designers and other participants in service development.

Required previous knowledge

The admission requirement is twofold:

1. Completed degree of 180 credits
2. Minimum of two years of relevant work experience

You must document employment with a certificate from your employer describing the type of job and work tasks, full-time equivalent percentage and duration.

If you do not have a bachelor's degree or equivalent completed education of at least 180 credits, you can request an assessment of prior learning of your admission criteria.

Course materials

Book - This Is Service Design Doing: Applying Service Design Thinking in the Real World (Stickdorn, et al, 2018) and Articles and video material are made available upon study start.