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Scalable module for Design Thinking

The project involves creation of a prototype of a scalable module in Design Thinking that can be implemented more broadly in courses at KTH. Lessons learned from previous pilots in various forms will be collected and serve as a basis for continued development towards scalability.

Mapped principles 

The project is mapped to the following framework principles:

P2. Ability to handle wicked problems for the sustainable societal development

P5. Available experimental environments 

P8. Flexible and structured study paths

Definitions of the principles

Jens Hemphälä
Jens Hemphälä researcher

This project is implemented at the School of Industrial Engineering and Management (ITM) within the Future Education programme (project no. 2513-ITM).  

Project context

Design Thinking is a sought-after method/process at KTH for handling more innovative and complex challenges in KTH’s courses and programmes. A few courses are available at KTH, but accessibility for most students is very limited. Over the years, pilots in various forms have been carried out and lessons learned from these must be collected and serve as a basis for continued development towards scalability. 

At present, there are challenges in enabling more students at KTH to gain this important competence. Challenges have included scalability, financing model, subject integration, teacher competence development, and lock-in effects in current course structures and programmes. These challenges have been identified through previous development efforts and must be handled as design requirements for creative solutions to enable further implementation.

Project partners are Ivar Björkman at OpenLab  and Kristina Nyström/Mana Farshid at the Department of Industrial economics and management ( INDEK ).

Purpose (outcome)

More of KTH's students will have the opportunity to increase their ability to handle wicked problems for sustainable development through broader use of a scalable module in Design Thinking.

Project results (output)

A scalable module (prototype) in Design Thinking that can be implemented more broadly in courses at KTH.

Time plan

Start date: 2025-08-01
End date: 2026-06-19

Project documentation

If you have a KTH ID, you can read the latest project documents when logged in.

  • Poster: The project’s first poster (in Swedish) will be available at the ”Storträffen” meetup on 2025-12-01
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Last changed: Oct 14, 2025