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Blekinge Institute of Technology
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Revision: 1
Reg.no: BTH-4-1-14-0988-2024
Course syllabus
Needfinding and Invention for Organizational Change
Needfinding and Invention for Organizational Change
2 credits (2 högskolepoäng)
Course code: MT1582
Main field of study: Mechanical Engineering
Disciplinary domain: Technology
Education level: First-cycle
Specialization: G1N - First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
Language of instruction: English
Applies from: 2024-10-08
Approved: 2024-10-08
1. Descision
This course is established by Dean 2024-04-22. The course syllabus is approved by Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering 2024-10-08 and applies from 2024-10-08.
2. Entry requirements
General entry requirements.
3. Objective and content
3.1 Objective
Key capabilities of improving an organization's processes, culture, systems, and teams are abilities to surface and solve Wicked Problems. The course aims to give the participants the mindset and skillset to continuously improve an organization's performance. Participants will be introduced to Needfinding (human observation, data synthesis, developing research insights) and Inventing (asking questions, structuring imagination, proposing experiments, field testing prototypes, communicating learning) as tools to understand, define, and propose opportunities for improvements of complex systems.
3.2 Content
- Observation methods of users and processes.
- User interview techniques.
- Ethnographic techniques and data synthesis.
- Prototyping and testing tools related to needfinding.
- Examples of organizational change using needfinding.
4. Learning outcomes
The following learning outcomes are examined in the course:
4.1. Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Explain what defines a practice of needfinding and historical highlights of the discipline.
- Describe examples of observation-based needfinding.
- Describe examples of needfinding in terms of organizational change.
4.2. Competence and skills
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Identify latent organizational needs through experimental observation.
- Design and conduct an experiment to transform observation-based insights within an organization into actionable improvements.
- Develop and communicate an organizational change plan related to needfinding.
4.3. Judgement and approach
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Discuss the importance of capturing outcomes from experiments and reflections.
- Identify when and how to apply observational needfinding for organizational change.
- Critically discuss the application of need-based organizational change as a tool inside a team.
5. Learning activities
The course features a combination of applied learning activities. Students are required to attend every course session to discuss their work and participate in critique. Course assignments are performed individually and critiqued in small teams outside of class and during class sessions.
6. Assessment and grading
Modes of examinations of the course
| Code | Module | Credit | Grade |
| 2505 | PBL Group Work | 1 credits | GU |
| 2515 | Project Assignment | 1 credits | GU |
The course will be graded G Pass, UX Failed result, a little more work required, U Fail.
The information before a course occasion states the assessment criteria and make explicit in which modes of examination that the learning outcomes are assessed.
An examiner can, after consulting the Disability Advisor at BTH, decide on a customized examination form for a student with a long-term disability to be provided with an examination equivalent to one given to a student who is not disabled.
7. Course evaluation
The course evaluation should be carried out in line with BTH:s course evaluation template and process.
8. Restrictions regarding degree
The course can form part of a degree but not together with another course the content of which completely or partly corresponds with the contents of this course.
9. Course literature and other materials of instruction
The course is based on advanced industry practice (tools, models, cases) that is distributed to students during the course, and which will be created through student work.
This is not a legal document. If you would like a copy of the legal decision regarding this course plan, contact the registrar at Blekinge Institute of Technology.