Tobias Larsson, Author at MSPI - Master's in Sustainable Product-Service System Innovation

For product and service system innovation, there is a unique possibility to support and speed up society’s development towards sustainability. The effects of resource extraction, production, distribution, usage, and disposal of products that we see today on ecological and social systems show that current methods for product and service innovation are not sufficient. Positive and negative consequences during the entire life cycle of a product are largely decided through the decisions that are made already during early phases of the innovation process. Hence, it is important to integrate a sustainability perspective in the methodology for product and service system innovation. Also, the competitiveness of a company highly depends on the ability to create innovative products and services, both through value adding activities and through reduced cost in development.

Increasingly more companies request skills for sustainable product and service system innovation to strengthen their competitiveness on an increasingly sustainability-driven global market. There is today a shortage of such competence and this program aims to decrease this shortage.

The main field of study of the program is mechanical engineering with emphasis on the profiling areas at BTH: sustainability, innovation, and systems engineering (applied IT).

Learning outcomes

The program includes concepts, methods and tools within the subareas of strategic sustainable development, strategic life-cycle modeling and simulation, creativity and innovation methodology, concept generation, product planning, product- and service development and innovation, design methodologies, modeling and simulation-driven design, product realization and systems engineering.

Those who work with product, and service innovation (development of innovative solutions) must have skills in strategic sustainable development and have the ability to evaluate the positive and negative socio-ecological influence of a product during its life cycle, as well as the related economic preconditions and implications, together with knowledge of the value-adding properties of the product solution.

In addition to the nationally regulated aims, further academic aims apply to the education. More specifically, this means that the student should be able to:

analyze sustainability challenges for an organization in a scientific way.
use new methods and tools and engineering skills, to work with sustainable product and service system innovation in the industry.
support a change towards a more value- and service-oriented economy.

An important aim of the program is that the students should obtain good insight in and knowledge of how different companies work. The students will already at an early point during the education complete course modules in companies.

Why Blekinge? Why Sweden? Why MSPI?

Here is an interview with Mark Simmons, a Canadian designer who graduated from the first round of MSPI. Check out what Mark has to say about how he found out about MSPI, what it’s like to live and study and Karlskrona, and a few other things.

And here is an interview with Tony Thompson, a former Ph.D. student who helped to initiate the MSPI program. Check out what Tony has to say about the importance of the program!

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How to apply?

Tobias Larsson — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 05:00:55 +0000

Information about how to apply for the MSPI-program.

It is a good start to first look at:

Then find the application link for the MSPI masters program here. (Note: Swedish citizens and residents are also encouraged to apply during the international application round using UniversityAdmissions.se / Antagning.se).

APPLY HERE!!!

For information on scholarship opportunities, see the Scholarships and Funding information page.

See below for some extra info on the application procedure.

International applications

This programme has a two-step application process for international applicants:

Step 1

Apply on-line via UniversityAdmissions.se, Sweden’s national application system. Before applying, make sure you read all instructions from BTH for prospective students, as well as the guidance posted at UniversityAdmissions.se.

A direct link to our programme at UniversityAdmissions.se can be found here. Please be sure that when you apply online that you carefully rank the programmes to which you apply. If you are accepted by your top ranked programme, you will not have the option to attend any lower ranked options, even if you would have been accepted by these lower ranked programmes.

The online applications are officially open from November 11, 2015 to January 15, 2016. Please be sure to apply online on-time, otherwise your application will be considered late, and will most likely not be considered.

Step 2

Step 2: Send by post or courier the information as outlined below (complete with your registration number received in Step 1). Your documents must be sent to**:

University Admissions in Sweden
FE 20102
SE – 839 87 Östersund
SWEDEN

It is also possible to submit the information electronically. See information at UniversityAdmissions.se.

** Do not send these document to the MSPI Office nor to BTH Admissions Office. Note that many courier companies (e.g. DHL, FedEx, etc.) have declined to deliver documents to University Studies in Sweden. Unfortunately, this is outside our control, so please contact your local courier company early to confirm whether or not they can deliver. Plan ahead!

Applications by all international students must meet standard requirements established by the UniversityAdmissions.se AND specific requirements related to this Master’s programme as listed below.

All documentation must be received prior to February 1, 2016. Late documents will most likely not be considered.

More information about documentation requirements at UniversityAdmissions.se.

Required documents

1. General Requirements for all International Master’s Students at Blekinge Institute of Technology:

a) An online application form is available at UniversityAdmissions.se and will cover the criteria listed below:

Your full name and permanent contact address, email address, fax, telephone number, passport number (and Swedish identity number, if available)

b) UniversityAdmissions.se must also receive:

University graduation certificate; Bachelors degree or higher education
University transcripts (course lists), i.e. subjects from each semester containing marks/grades
Where English is not your native language, certificate from specific eligibility in English language, scoring at English B level. See here for more info on English requirements.
A scanned copy of your passport

**For details about the official documents you must submit, please click here. Note that certain countries have special requirements for how the documents should be sent. Also note that there are certain exemptions (see them here) from the proof of English ability requirements. BTH and the MSPI staff cannot assist with further exemptions, so please contact UniversityAdmissions.se to discuss your case.

2. Specific requirements related to the Sustainable Product-Service System Innovation (MSPI) programme:

(Please mail these along with any other mailed documents)

An essay explaining your interest in the programme and providing some information on your relevant personal or professional experience – maximum 5 pages / 2500 words.
Written recommendations from two individuals knowledgeable about your skills and abilities. You may receive these directly and place them in the package of all documents.
Curriculum Vitae (Resume) – maximum 2 pages

Further Questions?

Please visit the BTH info pages for prospective students and/or the Frequently Asked Questions page from UniversityAdmissions.se for all issues related to documentation. The MSPI Office is not able to assist in these matters. If your question is not answered by the Frequently Asked Questions pages, please contact the MSPI office for special assistance – note that this might take a bit longer for follow up.

Key dates for applications and admissions

For more information on the important dates,for both applications and admissions (i.e. When will I know if I’m admitted?), please visit BTH’s key dates section. Be sure to scroll down to Master’s degree dates!

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Students and Alumni

Tobias Larsson — Mon, 04 May 2015 05:28:29 +0000

Our past and present MSPI students.

Class biographies

MSPI Alumni network

MSPI has an alumni network on LinkedIn for MSPI graduates and partners, and also a Facebook group.

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Thesis and project collaboration

Tobias Larsson — Sun, 03 May 2015 21:59:46 +0000

The MSPI-program with its interdisciplinary approach invites industries for collaboration, and also to partner in a variety of activities within MSPI.

Projects with MSPI

Numerous course projects and thesis projects have been done by MSPI by the requests of company partners through on-going collaboration. Some examples of areas that the projects have focused:

Unleashing student creativity to explore new innovation opportunities around a new product concept.
Exploring innovations that improve the sustainability aspects of a current product or service.
Learning how sustainability can be a driver for innovation processes.
Developing existing products into product-service systems with the intent of increasing revenue by providing more value to partners.

Great opportunities for projects

Because of the diversity of experiences and richness in background knowledge of the students, there are great opportunities for design projects that need a fresh perspective. Some of the collaboration opportunities are listed below:

One-time student projects
On-going projects in various MSPI courses
Master’s thesis projects
MSPI Programme sponsorship
Student scholarship sponsorship

More information

To get more information about some of the projects that have been done in MSPI so far, please refer to the course project and MSc Thesis archives.

If you want to with us on projects, please contact us.

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Support us!

Tobias Larsson — Sun, 03 May 2015 21:59:22 +0000

Education is crucial! With this international master programme we create the product-service innovators of tomorrow.

Support us with the abilities you have.

It may be

Student scholarships which are essential in protecting the international and cross-cultural profile of the class by providing funds to students who lack the personal resources to finance a year in Sweden particularly those from poorer regions of the world. Scholarships are vital to the success of the MSPI programme, for without them we will miss the opportunity to host qualified, passionate students from parts of the world where strong sustainable development leadership is desperately needed. A gift of US$10 000 will allow a student participate in the programme, and our goal is to provide scholarships for at least five students annually.
Innovation Internships that provide recent MSPI graduates an opportunity to closely interact with product developers, innovators, innovation leaders, and academic experts. Through placement programs, we can strengthen and extend the learning experience, strengthen our own core staff, and foster our relationships with our partners.
Visiting Leaders and Scholars Exchange which brings experts and leaders, particularly those with global perspectives, to share their experiences with the MSPI class, other BTH students and the local community.
Donation of material, machines or equipment for MSPI to “play around with” in their prototyping labs.
Donation of time where you take part in our work and support the development of the program, and marketing.
Donation of money for the programme to be used for increased quality, travel, and other expenses.

For more detailed information, or to discuss donation options, please contact us.

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Programme design

Tobias Larsson — Sun, 03 May 2015 21:38:22 +0000

The MSPI programme provides academic training as well as professional skills and career-enhancing credentials, drawing on Swedish and international experience.

Graduates will be prepared for a wide spectrum of tasks such as:

Analyzing sustainability challenges of an organization in a scientific way.
Incorporating a strategic sustainability perspective into the innovation process of a company.
Utilizing new methods and tools, and previous engineering specialization, for working with companies on sustainable product-service system innovation.
Advancing the global shift to a more service-based economy.

Programme design

The design of the program is in response to the industrial demand for graduates who can combine engineering competence with sustainability knowledge to help deliver new product/service systems. Therefore this program is in close ongoing connection with industries. The aim of this Master’s program, in line with the main purpose of research in sustainable product and service innovation at BTH, are:

To support the sustainable development of global economy and society, and
To strengthen Swedish industry in the increasingly sustainability-driven global market.

An important objective of the program is that students will gain insight and knowledge of how different companies work. In other words, to tackle today’s problems, including unsustainable human development, it is crucial that future designers and engineers will be prepared with down-to-earth and hands-on experiences. And that is only possible by providing an environment in which industry representatives and students can work together to share knowledge and experience. As a result, students will increasingly work together with companies throughout the program, culminating in a thesis carried out in partnership with a company.

In order to tackle complex socio-ecological challenges of human society, each designer should have a broad perspective, or a bird’s eye view. Practically, this means that those who work with product innovation must have expertise in strategic sustainable development and have the ability to evaluate a product’s positive and negative socio-ecological impact during its life cycle, as well as the related economic conditions and implications. It is therefore necessary to have a structured overview of the system “society in the biosphere” – and this is exactly what we will share with you in this program!

The program revolves around sustainability, development of product-service systems and innovation, as shown in the figure below. Consequently, the program courses are developed around these areas. Most courses provide real projects that allow good opportunity to practice the knowledge that is developed in each course.

MSPI have cornerstones in Innovation, Design Thinking, Sustainable Development, and Product-Service Systems.

Cornerstones of MSPI

More specifically, the academic goals of participating students are to be able to:

Analyze sustainability challenges for an organization in a scientific manner.
Introduce a strategic perspective of sustainability to a product innovation process in a company.
Use new methods and tools, and former engineering specialty, to work with sustainable product and service innovation in industry.
Support a transition towards a more service-oriented economy.

Courses

Here is a list of the courses included in the MSPI programme. Click on the course name to get more information about the course.

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Program content

Tobias Larsson — Sun, 03 May 2015 21:37:53 +0000

The programme provides academic training as well as professional skills and career-enhancing credentials, drawing on Swedish and international experience. Graduates will be prepared for a wide spectrum of tasks such as:

Analyzing sustainability challenges of an organization in a scientific way.
Incorporating a strategic sustainability perspective into the innovation process of a company.
Utilizing new methods and tools, and previous engineering specialization, for working with companies on sustainable product-service system innovation.
Advancing the global shift to a more service-based economy.

Courses

Here is a list of the courses included in the MSPI programme. Click on the course name to get more information about the course.

	Green = Focus mainly on sustainability
	Blue = Focus mainly on innovation and engineeing (with a PSS mindset)
First year
Period 1	Period 2	Period 3	Period 4
Introduction to Strategic Sustainable Development [7.5 credits]	Engineering for a Sustainable Society [7.5 credits]	Methods for Sustainable Product-Service System Development [7.5 credits]	Design Thinking [7.5 credits]
Value innovation [7.5 credits]	Knowledge Enabled Engineering [7.5 credits]	Management of Technology and Innovation[7.5 credits]	Systems Engineering [7.5 credits]

Second year
Period 1	Period 2	Period 3	Period 4
Creativity for Product Service System Development [7.5 credits]	Product-Service System Design Research [7.5 credits]	Master Thesis in Sustainable Product-Service System Innovation [30 credits]
PSS Extreme Innovation [15 credits]

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Course project themes

Tobias Larsson — Sun, 03 May 2015 21:36:56 +0000

There are different topical interests that can be pursued throughout the programme, via projects and collaborations. You constantly mix up sustainability, innovation, and product-service systems thinking in a Design Thinking way.

Design for Wellbeing

Design for Wellbeing redirects the focus of product development from technology-based development, via needs-based development, to participative product development and innovation. By adapting a multidisciplinary approach, involving health sciences and engineering disciplines, we are able to manage the entire development cycle from an initial understanding of users’ needs to studies of finished products in use. In this thematic area the students get to work in a mode close to health and technology. For example together with County Council of Blekinge for healthcare, or Blekinge Health Arena for health technology and sports. The field is closely related to the Applied Healthcare research field at BTH.

Advanced Engineering

In the advanced engineering track the focus is on frontline technology innovation with a high focus on engineering ideation, creation, analysis and development. Here you might work close to our classic manufacturing industries with their frontline products. Examples being GKN Aerospace Engine Systems, Volvo Construction Equipment, Dynapac Compaction Equipment, and Volvo Trucks to mention some.

Sustainability

In the sustainability track the focus is on the sustainability of solutions and how to develop solutions that are ecologically, economically and socially sustainable, while they still deliver new values. Here you might support the development of new sustainable lighting solutions, as with collaborating partner Auralight, or look at sustainability improvements of products. The Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development is deployed to ensure sustainable solutions

Innovation

In the innovation track it is all about creating innovation and value and here the focus is on innovation capability; how do you deploy innovation capabilities, train people, manage innovation, drive radical innovation projects while keeping balance with incremental developments. Value creation is at the core, and possibly this can be further developed together with, for example, Volvo Construction Equipment like in their quest for deployment of global innovation coaches to inspire global innovation.

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Research

Tobias Larsson — Sun, 03 May 2015 20:37:20 +0000

MSPI is based on research foundation and is being continuously developed in order to reflect ongoing actualities.

Below is related research at BTH with applicability and relevance for the MSPI programme.

SPIRIT- Center for Sustainable Product-Service System Innovation

The overall objective of SPIRIT is to develop, disseminate, and integrate relevant, user-friendly and efficient support methods and tools for sustainable product-service system innovation into business leaders’, business developers’ and product developers’ ordinary work environments.

Center for Sustainable Product-Service System Innovation – SPIRIT

BTH Research groups

From Faculty of Engineering the following research groups are participating:

Product Development Research Lab | Prof Tobias Larsson
Sustainability-Driven Innovation | Prof Göran Broman

From Faculty of Health Sciences the following research group is participating:

Health and Technology | Prof Johan Berglund (especially the Sustainable Active Ageing thematic research area)

From Faculty of Computing the following research group is participating:

Game Systems and Interaction Research Laboratory – GSIL | Design and Experience, Prof Sara Eriksén | Interaction Design, Prof Bo Helgeson

Collaborating partners research

Blekinge Centre of Competence | research within health sector via County Council of Blekinge in collaboration with BTH

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Faculty and instructors

Tobias Larsson — Sun, 03 May 2015 20:32:47 +0000

The BTH faculty team focus on core learning competencies related to innovation, product-service development and sustainability.

In addition, external instructors will provide specialised expertise that is crucial to the overall programme.

Christian Johansson, Ph.D., M.Sc.

Christian Johansson

Assistant Professor, MSPI Programme Director

Christian Johansson is senior lecturer in product development and researcher at the Product Development Research Lab at the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In his research he focuses on product development, product-service system innovation, design thinking, engineering design, knowledge engineering and decision making.

MSPI responsibilities

Overall program development, instructor of key concepts,
Director of MSPI programme curriculum and delivery
Course and student evaluation and on-going improvements

Tobias Larsson, Ph.D, M.Sc.

Tobias Larsson

Professor, MSPI Research Professor

Tobias C. Larsson is professor in product development, and Director of the Product Development Research Lab at Department of Mechanical Engineering. In his research he focuses on product-service system innovation, product development, engineering design and knowledge engineering principles in a design research quest to support the progress towards an “engineered sustainable future”, and the development of the “engineering toolbox 2.0”.

MSPI responsibilities

Research coupling and relevance
Industrial contacts
Development and on-going improvements

Marco Bertoni, Ph.D., M.Sc.

Marco Bertoni

Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer

Marco is Associate Professor (docent) with competence in Product Innovation, Value Driven Design, and Engineering Knowledge Management.

MSPI responsibilities

Examiner and Course Responsible

Alessandro Bertoni, Ph.D., M.Sc.

Alessandro Bertoni

Assistant Professor

Alessandro’s research has the objective of enhancing the value assessment of product/service systems alternatives in the preliminary design phase, by adopting a Value-Driven Design perspective, aiming at increasing the awareness of decision makers when taking design decision.

MSPI responsibilities

Examiner and Course Responsible

Pia Lindahl, MSc.

Pia Lindahl

Lecturer

Lecturer at the Department of Strategic Sustainable Development at BTH. She has a master’s degree in engineering from Uppsala University and a licentiate in sustainable product innovation from BTH. She has extensive experience in interdisciplinary training in strategic sustainable development and sustainable product innovation and she has co-developed a bachelor program with a focus on energy system development for sustainable development.

MSPI responsibilities

Support delivery, development and evaluation of the MSPI program

Massimo Panarotto, MSc.

Massimo Panarotto

Assistant Professor

TBC

MSPI responsibilities

Support delivery, development and evaluation of the MSPI program

Ansel Berghuvud, Ph.D.

Ansel Berghuvud

Assistant Professor, Lecturer

Research on rail vehicle and track interaction in project Heavy Haul in Cold Climate at Luleå University of Technology 1995-2001, and EU project INFRASTAR at Chalmers University of Technology 2001. At present active in research on coordinated analysis of dynamic behaviour of multidisciplinary and nonlinear systems as a tool for effective product development at Blekinge Institute of Technology. Lecturer and teacher in university courses at basic and advanced level including statics, dynamics, system dynamics, mechanical vibrations, integrated product development, product design, computational engineering, CAD and virtual reality 1995 to present. Supervisor, examiner and coordinator of master’s of science theses 1998 to present. The years 2004 to 2006 involved due to family situation only part-time work with main focus on teaching. Since 2007 appointed program manager for three educational programmes comprising Bachelors and Masters level at the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering at BTH

MSPI responsibilities

Support delivery, development and evaluation of the MSPI program

Pierre Johnson, MSc.

Pierre Johnson

Lecturer

Pierre holds a Bachelor in Engineering from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada and a Master’s in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability. His work experience is in the private, public and volunteer sectors. It includes 19 years as an engineer and manager in telecommunications working mostly on the capacity and performance of complex systems and on human factors based design. Pierre worked for six years as an assistant to a city councilor in Ottawa focusing mainly on sustainable transportation and participatory/ environmental budget initiatives at the municipal level. He has a couple of decades of experience in the volunteer sector with neighbourhood associations, advocacy organizations and other community groups. The learning, playing and teaching of Brazilian percussion are also of particular interest.

MSPI responsibilities

Support delivery, development and evaluation of courses

Göran Broman, Ph.D., M.Sc.

Göran Broman

Professor

Dr. Broman is Professor and Research Director for the Sustainability Driven Innovation Group at the Department of Strategic Sustainable Development at the School of Engineering, BTH, Karlskrona, Sweden. Parallel to his engineering education he has undertaken extensive studies in ecology, economy, resource theory, leadership and other subjects relevant to his commitment in sustainability. He has been instrumental in the development of the framework for strategic sustainable development that is central to this Masters programme, and he has integrated sustainability aspects in mechanical engineering education and research. For this pioneering work he has received, for example, The BTH Researcher of the Year Award, The Blekinge County Council Major Environmental Award and The Swedish Association of Sustainability Managers Award for Excellent Sustainability Leadership. Dr. Broman and Dr. Robèrt initiated the development of the Strategic Leadership toward Sustainability programme in 2002.

MSPI responsibilities

Support delivery, development and evaluation of the MSPI program
Course and student evaluation

Sophie Hallstedt, Ph.D

Sophie Hallstedt

Associate Professor, Sessional Instructor

Sophie Hallstedt is a researcher and lecturer at Blekinge Institute of Technology. She is the department head of the Department of Strategic Sustainable Development at the School of Engineering, BTH, Karlskrona, SwedenShe holds a Master’s of Science Degree in environmental engineering from Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden, a licentiate’s degree in engineering from Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenberg, Sweden, and a Ph.D. from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Karlskrona, Sweden. She has carried out environmental control and chemical inventory analysis for Swedish Steel AB and developed biological monitoring systems at Biological Monitoring Inc. in Virginia, USA. Her research interest is sustainable product development. Her other academic interests include the science of sustainability, energy systems and environmental management systems.

MSPI responsibilities

Support delivery, development and evaluation of the MSPI program

Henrik Ny, Ph.D,

Henrik Ny

Researcher and Sessional Instructor

Henrik Ny is a Researcher and Sessional Instructor at Blekinge Institute of Technology. He is assistant department head at the Department of Strategic Sustainable Development at the School of Engineering, BTH, Karlskrona, Sweden. He holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Lund Institute of Technology, Lund, Sweden and a master’s degree in environmental management and policy from the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics at Lund University, Lund, Sweden. In 2009 he was awarded his Ph.D.from BTH. He has worked with environmental issues at the Swedish chemical company Perstorp AB. This work focused on the integration of lifecycle assessment into the company environmental management system and the waste treatment and recycling efforts. His research interests include ecological economics and sustainable product development.

MSPI responsibilities

Support delivery, development and evaluation of the MSPI program
Course and student evaluation

Cesar Levy-Franca, M.SLS,

Cesar Levy-Franca

Ph.D Candidate

César Levy is a researcher within the School of engineering at the Blekinge Institute of Technology. His main field of interest is strategic sustainable development and specific research related to decision making processes, market introduction of novel sustainable energy technologies and green procurement. He holds a is Master in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability from Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden; has Masters ECTS in Ecological Economics at Plymouth University and Schumacher College, UK, Technical graduation in Environmental Sciences at Fundação Universitaria Iberoamericana FUNIBER. He was co-founder and director for the Natural Step in Brazil.

MSPI responsibilities

Support delivery, development and evaluation of the MSPI program and distance courses.

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Testimonials

Tobias Larsson — Sun, 03 May 2015 20:03:19 +0000

Testimonials from MSPIs and partners.

”What I find amazing is that not only are different disciplines connected, but also people from all over the world. This give perspectives and influences in the work that we have not previously thought of or paid attention to. The end result will come into direct use, not only as inspiration, but also as roadmaps for the future.”

Jenny Elfsberg, Director, Emerging Technologies, Volvo Construction Equipment in relation to the PSS Extreme Innovation project presentations 2012.

“It change dramatically how we develop products and services”

Behrad Mirafshar, Iran, MSPI’12

“The last two years have completely changed my life. So many tremendous experiences”

Aaron Lewis, Canada, MSPI’12

“Via MSPI we will have good access to students that are trained in solving the problems we are facing as we speak”

Ola Isaksson, Company Specialist, Adjunct Professor, GKN Aerospace Engine Systems at company hosted field trip 2011.

“Wow, I learned so many things … I think I’m a system thinker now. The international aspects make this a great experience”

Carolina Villamil, Colombia, MSPI’12

“It gives me great tools, for real life, MSPI is the future!”

Björn Tenland, Sweden, MSPI’12

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PSS Extreme Innovation

Tobias Larsson — Sat, 02 May 2015 21:35:40 +0000

The students in the PSS Extreme Innovation course develops sustainable PSS innovations, in close collaboration with industry and society.

Course Purpose

The purpose of the course is for the students to gain an understanding of how different solutions are developed within industry today through applying and integrating knowledge necessary for future product- and service innovation. Participants will gain knowledge in project management, creative concept development, systems thinking for sustainability and technological solutions.

Course Objectives

The course is focused on carrying out a product/service system innovation project with sustainability and innovation focus.

The objective of the course is to acquire, apply and integrate knowledge central to the development of sustainable PSS innovation, in close collaboration with industry and society. By carrying out real team based projects in a collaborative mode the student will have the chance to reflect upon acquired theoretical base and apply this in a real setting. The experience will render the student a good position to enter into the work life.

Course Contents

Team collaboration
Innovation engineering
Needfinding
Creative concept development
Concept selection
Engineering design
Simulation driven design
Prototyping

Aims & Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course the student will know:

How to perform needfinding
How to develop and evaluate concepts
How to prototype solutions
How to work effectively in team based setting
How to develop innovative PSS design
How to work in concurrent engineering mode
How to employ advanced simulation driven design tools in applied setting

Learning & Teaching

Course focus is to give the participant knowledge to perform and carry out real product/service development with focus on sustainability and innovation Through reflection sessions, workshops, team exercises and project work students will gain an understanding of the course content. Students will complete assignments on group basis, and will share his/her learning with others through his/her written documents, group work and presentations. The course will be provided in English.

See examples of projects from the 2011-2012 course!

Course examiner

Professor Tobias C. Larsson.

Course Leaflet

BTH-PDRL-Leaflet-PSSEI-Course

More PSS Extreme Innovation

PSSEI 2017/2018:
PSSEI 2016/2017:
PSSEI 2015/2016: Fishing, Asphalt Rollers, Aero Engine Services, and Elderly loneliness.
PSSEI 2014/2015: Urban Mining, Quantified Self, and Aero Engine Marketing Strategy.
PSSEI 2013/2014: High Voltage Cables, Urban Mining, and Keyless Rollers.
PSSEI 2011/2012: Medtech and Construction Equipment.
More about PSS Extreme Innovation

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Creativity for Product Service System Development

Tobias Larsson — Sat, 02 May 2015 21:32:32 +0000

Creativity for Product-Service System Development gives students a theoretical and practical understanding of creative concept development methods.

Course Objectives

Advanced level students will gain a deeper understanding and practical experience of creative concept development methods at the early phases of the product development process. Student will be able to rethink and reconceive how human needs are currently fulfilled through methods that help to identify user needs, generate concept ideas and evaluate and prioritize those ideas.

Course Contents

The role of creativity in the product development process
Creativity techniques
Methods for evaluating and prioritizing between concept ideas
Creativity related group dynamics and basics for managing creativity in organizations
The business case for creativity

Aims and learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student will be able to:

Independently plan and facilitate effective creativity sessions using creativity techniques to contribute to sustainable product-service system development
Describe the importance of creativity and the significance of identifying user needs in the early stages of the product development process
Describe and apply the concept of creative tension in the innovation process
Demonstrate an ability to select and utilize advanced methods for need identification, problem exploration and the discovery of innovation opportunities.
Identify and choose appropriate prioritization guidelines for the purpose of evaluating and choosing concept ideas.

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Design Thinking

Tobias Larsson — Sat, 02 May 2015 21:30:49 +0000

The aim of the course is that students will get good insights and skills in how both technical and social innovations are created.

The course covers the design and development of new products (hardware and services) and processes (technical and organizational), with particular focus on methods, tools and strategies for the early phases of the innovation process. The course is based on Design Thinking – an approach to deal with complex issues and contexts in which the designer match insights about the needs of people with viable solutions in a market offer.

MSPI Design Thinking Process

The course includes lectures and exercises related to theories of design processes and methods in the field of design and innovation. Students will actively search for and analyze users’ needs and then develop ideas, concepts and detailed solutions to match those needs.

Design Thinking Criteria

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