Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing the course, students will be able to

  • identify, analyse and solve real-life business problems from a multi-disciplinary viewpoint
  • apply and broaden the knowledge and skills gained during their studies to real-life business tasks and challenges
  • manage complex projects and work in diverse teams
  • handle uncertainty associated with real life projects
  • present a case report both orally and in writing
  • critically reflect on their learning process and outcomes

Credits: 6

Schedule: 16.09.2020 - 25.11.2020

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

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Alexei Koveshnikov, Ari Kuismin, Kalle Kyläkallio, Perttu Kähäri, Gregory O'Shea, Iiris Saittakari

Contact information for the course (valid 13.08.2020-21.12.2112):

Teacher-in-charge: Iiris Saittakari

E-mail: iiris.saittakari@aalto.fi

Office:
Y-208, School of Business, Ekonominaukio 1, Espoo 

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:

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

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    100 % assignments (group and individual)

  • Applies in this implementation:

    All
    the assignments are assessed on a 0-5 scale based on the following rubrics that
    will be available in the course workspace in MyCourses:

     

    ·      
    The written team case report is assessed based on
    the Business writing and Capstone rubrics

    ·      
    The oral team case report is assessed based on the
    Business presentations rubric

    ·      
    Peer assessment is assessed by other team members
    based on the Teamwork rubric

    ·      
    The individual student portfolio is assessed based
    on the Business writing and Capstone rubrics


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 (incl. team meetings with facilitator and client company)

    122 h

    Classroom hours

    10 h

    Individual work

    27 h

     

    Presentation
    coaching session

    1 h

    Total

    160 h (6 cr)


DETAILS

Study Material
  • Applies in this implementation:

    Material is provided by the case company.

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.

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    Important dates in Fall 2020

    1.      
    September 16 at 15.15 – 18.00: Course starts with an introductory
    session and the presentations of the case companies. This session is held via Zoom. The invitation link can be found at the main page of the course website.

    2.      
    September 17: Submit your three most preferred cases (including short
    justifications - limited to 300 characters) through MyCourses.

    3.      
    September 22: You will be informed of the assigned team, case and
    your Faculty Facilitator.

    4.      
    September 23 at 15.15 – 17.15 (for most teams):
    Team
    kick-off meeting with facilitator. Each team has one hour slot and exact time will be agreed with the facilitator. This session is held via Zoom.

    5.      
    September 24 - 30: Organize
    the first meeting with the case company, where you discuss and define the scope
    of the project, and agree how you will proceed with your investigation of the
    research problem and research questions finalized in this meeting. Right after
    the meeting, create Progress report 1 which includes the problem statement and
    research questions. Aalto
    University's policies suggest that the meeting is held remotely.
    However, the team and case company representatives can decide to meet in person if they wish and the
    prevailing policies permit. However, those who want can
    participate remotely.

    6.      
    September 30 at 15.15 – 16.45: Project management seminar with Juuso Soininen, Boston
    Consulting Group. This session is held via Zoom.

    7.      
    September 30, by midnight:
    Progress report 1 due; upload the report to MyCourses. The report is based on
    the first meeting with the case company.

    8.      
    October 1-7: Meet jointly with your case company
    and Faculty Facilitator to discuss your progress and to get feedback. In the
    meeting, c
    onfirm 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.
    Aalto
    University's policies suggest that the meeting is held remotely.
    However, the team and case company representatives can decide to meet in person if they wish and the
    prevailing policies permit. However, those who want can
    participate remotely.

    9.       October 7, by midnight: Progress report 2 due; upload the report to MyCourses. The
    report should include the project plan and description of the analysis that you
    are planning to conduct)

    10.  
    October 21-28:Meet jointly
    with your case company and Faculty Facilitator to discuss your analysis and
    findings. Contact your case company and facilitator well in advance to set
    up the meeting time; setting up the meeting is your responsibility.
    Aalto
    University's policies suggest that the meeting is held remotely.
    However, the team and case company representatives can decide to meet in person if they wish and the
    prevailing policies permit. However, those who want can
    participate remotely.

    11.   October 28, by midnight: Progress report 3 due; upload the report to MyCourses. The
    report should include your analysis and findings)

    12.  
    November 11, by midnight:
    Progress report 4 due; upload the report to MyCourses
    .
    The report should be the first draft of the final report.

    13.  
    November 18, at 15.15-16.15 or
    16.15-17.15 OR November 19-20: Presentation coaching sessions. Each team has a separate one hour
    slot. Please agree the exact time with your faculty facilitator.

    14.  
    November 23, by midnight: Deadline for uploading
    your team’s written case report to the assignment submission box in MyCourses
    and send it to the case company.

    15.  
    November 25, 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.

    16.  
    December 2, by midnight: Deadline for uploading
    your individual student portfolio to the assignment submission box in MyCourses.