Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Credits: 6

Schedule: 18.09.2019 - 27.11.2019

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Iiris Saittakari

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Iiris Saittakari

Contact information for the course (valid 19.08.2019-21.12.2112):

Teacher-in-charge: Iiris Saittakari

E-mail: iiris.saittakari@aalto.fi

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  The course consists of an applied, real-life problem-based project/case that students identify, analyze and solve in multi-disciplinary teams. It also focuses on developing the students self-awareness of the key learnings during their studies in the Master s Program.

• Applies in this implementation:

  In the course,
  there are three compulsory three-hour seminars, one at the beginning, one at
  halfway and one at the end of the course, and an extensive team project
  in-between. After the opening seminar, students select three cases that best
  seem to fit their particular expertise, and they also justify their selections.
  Finally, the teacher-in charge and faculty facilitators form the teams based on
  individual preferences and study backgrounds. The cases have been invited
  before the course starts.

  Then, students
  work in teams of 3-5 on the assigned case. The teams have to provide a
  well-designed and effectively communicated solution for the identified core
  problem for the case company. During the first week, the team will have its own
  kick-off meeting, choose the roles for the team members (e.g. chair, contact
  person for the company, contact for faculty etc.), and agree on the first
  meeting with the client company. In that meeting, the final project
  scope will be identified and tasks defined. After that, the teams work
  independently on the case and meet with the client company as agreed. In one of
  the meetings (about half way through the course), the team’s faculty
  facilitator will also be present to give feedback.

  Halfway
  through the course there is a presentation skills seminar, in which the
  students learn to create an
  effective presentation structure and deliver impactful presentations. Presentation
  skills are an important skill to master in the working life and thus this
  seminar not only prepares the students to the final presentation of the Capstone
  course but also to the working life after that.

  The course ends
  with a closing seminar, in which each student team presents the case, its core
  challenges and main solutions. A few days before the final seminar, each team
  will participate in a compulsory presentation rehearsal session, where
  they get guidance for their draft version of the final presentation.

  In order to complete the
  course, students also submit a written team report and an individual,
  reflective student portfolio by the given deadline.
  

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  100 % assignments (group and individual)

• Applies in this implementation:

  The course consists of class
  sessions, meetings and three main assignments, the first of which is divided
  into three parts as follows:

  1.     
  Written team case report                  50%

                       a. Progress report 1

                       b. Progress report 2

                       c. Final report

  2.     
  Oral team case presentation            30%

  3.      
  Individual student portfolio                20%

  
  

Workload

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  Contact teaching :10-15 h (incl. closing seminar with presentations)
  Independent work in teams and individually:145 - 150 h

• Applies in this implementation:

  Project work in teams	120 h
  Classroom hours	9 h
  Individual work	28 h
  Team meeting with facilitator and client company	2 h
  Presentation coaching session	1 h
  Total	160 h (6 cr)

  
  

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  Students can replace this capstone course by participating in Hackathon course: 57E00700 Capstone: Digital ISM Challenge.

  CEMS MIM students can replace this capstone with 42E05400 CEMS Business Project.
  
  Capstone 20E99904 subsitutes the old courses 21E99904 Capstone: Business Development Project (Management and International Business), 25E99904 Capstone: Business Development Project (Entrepreneurship), 32E99904 Capstone: Business Development Project (Business Law)

Prerequisites

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  Most Master s Programme studies have to be completed before one can enroll on the Capstone course.

Registration for Courses

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  via WebOodi.

• Applies in this implementation:

  Selection of
  case company

  In the course, all student teams will work with a different case company on
  a multidisciplinary real life case identified in the company. Student teams
  (3-5 members) will be formed based on the individual preferences and
  backgrounds; we will try to create as multidisciplinary teams as possible. This
  way we try to simulate a real work-life situation where team members come from
  different backgrounds, and it is your responsibility to consider the problem
  from your disciplinary perspective
  and then, together with the others, find a solution.

  Important steps
  in the selection of a case company:

  1.       In the kick-off session on Wednesday Sept 18, all
  selected case companies will give a short, max. five-minute presentation of
  their company and the case. After the session, decide on the most suitable case
  for you, and also list two other cases that you are interested in.
  Note, however, that the final specification of the actual project will be done
  together by the team and the case company once the project has started.

  2.      
  Latest on Thursday
  Sept 19, submit your three most preferred cases through MyCourses, in the order
  of preference. Briefly add any information you would like to justify your selection
  (space is limited to a few sentences)! Also, point out if you have a conflict
  of interest with some of the cases (e.g. you work for a competitor).

  3.      
  Latest on Monday Sept 23 you will be informed of the team and case
  selected for you. Note: it is likely that you will
  get one of your preferred cases, but not guaranteed.  We will do our best to match the preferences
  and cases in the best possible way!

  
  

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  Compulsory attendance in all class sessions and meetings. Most Master s Programme studies have to be completed before you can enroll on the Capstone course.

  The maximum number of students is 50, but only eligible candidates will be admitted even if the maximum number is not reached.

  Credit transfer and capstone course

  Students can, on legitimate grounds (Eg. exchange studies abroad, serious illness; however, working life and its restraints are not considered legitimate reasons not to complete the capstone course), apply for a credit transfer for a capstone course. However, as a deviation from the common process of credit transfer at the School of Business, the application for credit transfer must be submitted before completing the course represented to substitute the capstone course at the School of Business. The credit transfer should be applied for according to the credit transfer instructions depicted at Into: https://into.aalto.fi/display/enmasterbiz/Credit+transfer. Based on the credit transfer application, the teacher in charge of the capstone course will decide whether the learning goals for the capstone course can be fulfilled by completing the course the student has represented to substitute the capstone course. The substituting course cannot be a School of Business course.

• Applies in this implementation:

  Selection of
  case company

  In the course, all student teams will work with a different case company on
  a multidisciplinary real life case identified in the company. Student teams
  (3-5 members) will be formed based on the individual preferences and
  backgrounds; we will try to create as multidisciplinary teams as possible. This
  way we try to simulate a real work-life situation where team members come from
  different backgrounds, and it is your responsibility to consider the problem
  from your disciplinary perspective
  and then, together with the others, find a solution.

  Important steps
  in the selection of a case company:

  1.       In the kick-off session on Wednesday Sept 18, all
  selected case companies will give a short, max. five-minute presentation of
  their company and the case. After the session, decide on the most suitable case
  for you, and also list two other cases that you are interested in.
  Note, however, that the final specification of the actual project will be done
  together by the team and the case company once the project has started.

  2.      
  Latest on Thursday
  Sept 19, submit your three most preferred cases through MyCourses, in the order
  of preference. Briefly add any information you would like to justify your selection
  (space is limited to a few sentences)! Also, point out if you have a conflict
  of interest with some of the cases (e.g. you work for a competitor).

  3.      
  Latest on Monday Sept 23 you will be informed of the team and case
  selected for you. Note: it is likely that you will
  get one of your preferred cases, but not guaranteed.  We will do our best to match the preferences
  and cases in the best possible way!

  
  

Details on the schedule

• Applies in this implementation:

  1.     September 18 at 15.15 – 18.00: Course starts with an introductory
  session and the presentations of the case companies.

  2.     September 19: submit your three most preferred cases (including short
  justifications - limited to 200 marks) through MyCourses

  3.     September 23:  you will be
  informed of the assigned team, case and your Faculty Facilitator.

  4.     September 24 – October 2: arrange a
  kick-off meeting where you get organized as a project team and assign roles for
  team members; invite your Faculty Facilitator to this meeting; try to find a
  time that suits you all

  5.     September 24 – October 2: organize the first meeting with the case company, where you
  discuss, and identify the main challenges for the project work, and agree how
  you will proceed with your investigation of the problem areas finalized in this
  meeting. Right after the meeting, establish an action plan and schedule for the
  project.

  6.     October 9, by midnight:
  Progress report 1 due; upload the report to MyCourses. The report is based on
  the first meeting with the case company and the action plan established after
  that.

  7.    
  October 10 – 21: meet with your case company and Faculty Facilitator
  to discuss your progress and to get feedback. In the meeting, confirm shared understanding of the direction and expectations.Contact
  your case company and facilitator well in advance to set up the meeting time;
  setting up the meeting is your responsibility.

  8.     October 30 at 9.00-12.00:
  presentation skills seminar

  9.     November 11, by midnight:
  Progress report 2 due; upload the report to MyCourses

  10.  
  November 20 –
  22:  Presentation coaching sessions. Each team has a separate one hour slot between 8-12.
  

  11.  
  November 27, 15.00-18.00:
  Closing session. Cases and recommendations are presented orally to case
  companies, Faculty Facilitators and fellow students. Upload your presentation
  deck on MyCourses by midnight.

  12.  
  December 2 by midnight: Deadline
  for uploading your team’s written case report to the assignment submission box
  in MyCourses.

  13.  
  December 4 by midnight:
  Deadline for uploading your individual student portfolio to the assignment
  submission box in MyCourses.

  
  

Description

Registration and further information