Course Syllabus
Welcome to
LP1 HT24 (7.5 hp)
This is a practical course in which you will integrate and apply the knowledge and skills gained during your first two TKITE years in a Capstone Project in groups of 4 to 6 people for IKEA.
The course is offered by Chalmers Department of Technology Management and Economics.
Contact
Examiner and course responsible
Professor Robin Teigland, robin.teigland@chalmers.se
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinteigland/
Teaching assistant (TA)
PhD Candidate Ida Heathcote-Fumador, ida.mcsey@chalmers.se
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/idaheathcote/
IKEA sponsor
Samah El Hage, Head of Digital Innovation / IKEA Data & Technology, https://www.linkedin.com/in/samahelhage/
Tomas Francl, People & Culture Leader / IKEA Supply, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomas-francl-5599807b/
Course representatives
- Marcus Chimba Ljungström, chimba@student.chalmers.se
- Kevin Collins, kevinco@student.chalmers.se
- Ghazal Ghorabi, ghazalghorabi2@gmail.com
- Adam Hellgård, adam.hellgard@hotmail.se
- Frida Sundelin, frida.sundelin@outlook.com
- Tabita Tengblad, tabita@tengblad.eu
Purpose
This course aims to provide you with knowledge and experience in communicating with customers, industry and society as well as conceptualizing, developing and pitching a digital innovation to a client through practical group work in English.
This year the client is IKEA, and the practical group work is a Capstone Project in which you and your team will develop and pitch a Software Innovation based on one of the Capstone themes provided by IKEA, to be presented during the first course week.
The main idea is that you will integrate and apply the knowledge and skills you have already gained during the first two years of the TKITE program to conduct the Capstone project, while the course provides support in the form of lectures, coaching sessions, and dedicated student teamwork sessions along the way.
Capstone Overview and Timeline
Capstone Software Innovation Guidelines
A note on the purpose and pedagogy of the course
Schedule
The weekly schedule is generally the following:
Tuesdays 10.00-11.45 and 13.15-15.00 Lectures and/or student teamwork sessions
Thursdays 13.15-17.00 Capstone mandatory sessions or student teamwork/coaching sessions
Fridays 8.00-9:45 Coaching sessions
Final mandatory Capstone Conference on Monday, October 28 with IKEA when you will present your team's Software Innovation to IKEA representatives.
The description of the sessions are still being updated on Timeedit, but the below descriptions of the sessions are the correct ones.
Attendance in Mandatory Capstone Sessions
Participation in four key Capstone sessions is mandatory: IKEA presentation (Sept 5), First Coaching Session (Sept 12), Second Pitch Presentation (Oct 3), and Capstone Conference (Oct 28). The course follows a "grace-policy" where missing one mandatory session will not require make-up work. However, missing more than one session will result in course failure unless justified by medical or other significant reasons. If you cannot attend a mandatory session, send an email to Robin at robin.teigland@chalmers.se.
Course Design and Structure
This course offers a hands-on, real-world experience through a Capstone Project, where you develop and pitch a Software Innovation (a functioning software prototype) for IKEA. The project addresses specific challenges outlined by IKEA at the beginning of the course and is the core component of the curriculum. You will work in self-assigned teams of 4 to 6, potentially combining two groups from DAT026, to develop and deliver your software innovations.
The course is structured around a kickoff and three sprints (each sprint lasting two to three weeks) that focus on Capstone assignments and that culminates in a final Capstone Conference. Throughout the course, you will apply and develop your software engineering skills during lectures (by Chalmers teachers and from IKEA and other organizations), teamwork, coaching sessions, student presentations, peer reviews, and the completion of course assignments.
Each week generally includes the following:
Individual preparation: Assigned module readings and videos.
Lectures (Tuesdays): Lectures supporting the Capstone as well as information on the week's assignments.
Teamwork sessions (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Dedicated time for project development and student team collaboration.
Team project presentations (Thursdays): Presentations of your team's work to the teachers, other students, and IKEA sponsors, as well as providing and receiving feedback from another student team.
Coaching sessions (Fridays). Coaching from the teachers where you can discuss your ideas and assignments.
Assignment(s): Submissions of tasks according to the syllabus.
The overarching timeline for the Capstone assignments is below.
Guidelines for the Capstone Project and more information on the assignments will be provided at the beginning of the course.
Capstone Assignments Timeline
All sessions are on campus unless stated otherwise here. The coaching sessions can, in agreement with the teachers, be conducted online, and the teamwork sessions are at a location of your team's choice. However, there are rooms booked for both the coaching and teamwork sessions for you to use.
Below is the more detailed course schedule with links to the module lectures, assignments, and coaching sessions.
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Course Section |
Week day, time, and room (Rooms might change, always check TimeEdit) |
Description |
Link to Material/Assignment/Signup |
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Week 36 |
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Kickoff |
Tues, 03 Sep, 10:00-11:45, FB |
Lecture 1: Introduction to the Course, Capstone Project, and the Role of the Software Engineer in Digital Transformation |
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Tues, 03 Sep, 13:15-15:00, KA |
Lecture 2: Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development |
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Thurs, 05 Sep, 13:15-17:00, KA |
Lecture 3: IKEA and the IKEA x Chalmers Capstone (Mandatory) |
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Fri, 06 Sep, 8:00 to 9:45, Zoom |
Coaching Session |
Link: |
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Fri, 06 Sep, 17:00 |
Assignment: Team Selection |
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| Week 37 | |||
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Kickoff (cont'd) |
Mon, 09 Sep, 17:00 |
Assignment: Capstone Theme Selection |
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Sprint 1: First Pitch |
Tues, 10 Sep, 10:00-11:45, FB |
Lecture 4: Design Thinking |
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Tues, 10 Sep, 13:15-15:00, KA |
Lecture 4: Design Thinking (cont’d) |
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Thurs, 12 Sep, 13:15-17:00, KA |
Coaching Session (Mandatory) |
All teams are signed up now - check here for your session time. |
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Fri, 13 Sep, 8:00 to 9:45, Zoom |
Coaching Session |
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| Week 38 | |||
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Sprint 1: First Pitch (cont'd) |
Tues, 17 Sep, 10:00-11:45, FB |
Lecture 5: AI & Data Governance |
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Tues, 17 Sep, 13:15-15:00, KE |
Student Teamwork |
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Thurs, 19 Sep, 13:15-17:00, KA |
Student Teamwork and Coaching |
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Thurs, 19 Sep, 17:00 |
Assignment: Innovation Worksheet 1 & First Pitch Video |
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Fri, 20 Sep, 8:00 to 9:45, Zoom |
Coaching Session |
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Fri, 20 Sep, 17:00 |
Assignment: Peer Review 1 |
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| Week 39 | |||
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Sprint 2: Second Pitch |
Tues, 24 Sep, 10:00-11:45, FB |
Lecture 6: Emerging Digital Technologies |
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Tues, 24 Sep, 13:15-15:00, KA |
Lecture 7: AI in Practice |
Module 7 |
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Thurs, 26 Sep, 13:15-17:00, KA |
Student Teamwork and Coaching |
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Fri, 27 Sep, 8:00 to 9:45, Zoom |
Coaching Session |
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| Week 40 | |||
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Sprint 2: Second Pitch (cont'd) |
Tues, 1 Oct, 10:00-11:45, FB |
Lecture 8: Innovating for Twin Transition |
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Tues, 1 Oct, 13:15-15:00, KA |
Lecture 8: Innovating for Twin Transition (cont'd) |
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Thurs, 3 Oct, 12:00 |
Assignment: a) Second Pitch Presentation, b) Website 1, c) Link to Github Code 1 |
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Thurs, 3 Oct, 13:15-17:00, TEAMS online (only) |
Second Pitch Presentation (Mandatory) |
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Fri, 4 Oct, 8:00 to 9:45, Zoom |
Coaching Session |
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Fri, 4 Oct, 17:00 |
Assignment: Peer Review 2 |
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| Week 41 | |||
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Sprint 3: Third Pitch |
Tues, 8 Oct, 10:00-11:45, Zoom |
Lecture 9: Communicating Digital Innovation |
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Tues, 8 Oct, 13:15-15:00, Zoom |
Lecture 9: Communicating Digital Innovation (cont'd) |
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Thurs, 10 Oct, 13:15-17:00, KA |
Student Teamwork |
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| Week 42 | |||
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Sprint 3: Third Pitch (cont'd) |
Tues, 15 Oct, 10:00-11:45, FB (Coaching on Zoom only) |
Student Teamwork and Coaching |
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Tues, 15 Oct, 13:15-15:00, KA |
Student Teamwork |
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Thurs, 17 Oct, 13:15-17:00, KA (Coaching in KA or on Zoom) |
Student Teamwork and Coaching |
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Fri, 18 Oct, 8:00 to 9:45, Zoom only |
Coaching Session |
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| Week 43 | |||
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Sprint 3: Third Pitch (cont'd) |
Tues, 22 Oct, 10:00-11:45, FB (Coaching on Zoom only) |
Student Teamwork and Coaching |
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Tues, 22 Oct, 13:15-15:00, HB2 |
Student Teamwork |
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Thurs, 24 Oct, 13:15-17:00, KA (Coaching on Zoom only) |
Student Teamwork and Coaching |
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Fri, 25 Oct, 8:00 to 9:45, Zoom only |
Coaching Session |
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Sun, 27 Oct, 17:00 |
Assignment: Third Pitch Presentation |
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| Week 44 | |||
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Sprint 3: Third Pitch (cont'd) |
Mon, 28 Oct, 9:00-17:00, Vasa A |
Capstone Conference (Mandatory) |
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Final Course Deliverables |
Fri, 1 Nov, 18:00 |
Assignment: a) Website, b) Final Pitch Presentation, c) Final Pitch Video, d) Link to Github Code |
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Award Ceremony |
Mon, 11 Nov, 12:00 |
Award Ceremony by IKEA Representatives |
Chalmers Univ Styrelserummet at Chalmersplatsen 3 |
Course Literature
There is no textbook for the course. Suggested readings are found under each module.
Examination
The course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis, with grades set at the team level. Assessment is based on the following:
Completed and Approved Assignments
All assignments must be submitted and approved in order to pass the course.
Attendance in Mandatory Capstone Sessions
Participation in four key Capstone sessions is mandatory: IKEA presentation (Sept 5), First Coaching Session (Sept 12), Second Pitch Presentation (Oct 3), and Capstone Conference (Oct 28). The course follows a "grace-policy" where missing one mandatory session will not require make-up work. However, missing more than one session will result in course failure unless justified by medical or other significant reasons. If you cannot attend a mandatory session, send an email to Robin at robin.teigland@chalmers.se.
House rules for Mandatory Capstone Sessions:
- Be on time and do not leave in the middle of sessions
- Be prepared and be active
- Be prepared to be cold-called (no heads up) or warm-called (some heads up) to answer questions related to what is being discussed
- No recording of sessions
Learning Objectives
Knowledge and understanding
- Develop understanding of how to operationalize AI/digital technologies in a digital innovation
- Gain knowledge of how to identify, collect, and analyze relevant data for a digital innovation, e.g., publicly available databases, stakeholder interviews
- Gain knowledge of how to conceive, develop, and pitch a digital innovation in English for a client, i.e., an external company
- Gain experience working in a digital innovation project team of more than five people
Skills and abilities
- Demonstrate your ability to integrate AI/digital technologies with relevant data in a digital innovation prototype for a client, i.e., an external company, that is tailored to their specific challenge.
- Improve your public speaking and presentation skills through developing your ability to convincingly communicate ideas and technical solutions in both spoken and written English in a clear and structured way, including crafting compelling pitches and delivering professional presentations
- Develop your project management skills for effective planning, execution, and management of team-based digital innovation projects.
Evaluation and approach
- Evaluate the tradeoffs of a digital innovation prototype, e.g., one vs multiple data sources, functionality vs available resources
- Critically evaluate and discuss the implications of your digital innovation, e.g., legal, ethical, environmental, security, financial feasibility
- Conduct a project where division and coordination of tasks between members is needed
- Develop your ability to receive, process, and effectively use feedback and criticism to refine and improve your digital innovation and pitches as well as critically assess and provide constructive feedback on other student teams work
Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen:
Academic honesty
You are expected to follow Chalmers’ guidelines for academic honesty and integrity (including guidelines for using generativeAI).
Changes made since the last occasion
4 Sept - Added/updated course reps, added Capstone Software Innovation Guidelines under Purpose
10 Sept - Added preparation material for the Coaching Session on Sep 12
12 Sept - Added links to all coaching session signups
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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