42704 Capstone Studio
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade, no marksRequisite(s): 42700 Professional Learning Studio OR 42030 Technology Disruptors Studio
Description
This Capstone Project is the culmination of students' study program in the Master of Professional Practice or the Master of Technology. This is an opportunity for students to investigate and seek a solution to a significant problem within their organisation or in a related organisation. The project will follow a research process of (i) explore the problem through literature review and stakeholder engagement, (ii) explore solutions, including a literature review focused on successful case studies elsewhere, (iii) development of the solution, which may include implementation and data collection with colleagues in the workplace.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Situate a challenging problem in an organisational context. (B.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Apply design and systems thinking to respond to the problem. (C.1) |
| 3. | Apply technical skills to collect and analyse data, both quantitative and qualitative. (D.1) |
| 4. | Demonstrate effective collaboration and communication skills. (E.1) |
| 5. | Conduct critical self-review and performance evaluation. (F.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, and influence stakeholders, and apply expert judgment establishing and managing constraints, conflicts and uncertainties within a hazards and risk framework to define system requirements and interactivity. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
- Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their own and others' performance with a high level of responsibility to improve and practice competently for the benefit of professional practice and society. (F.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject runs in a studio format where students identify a challenge within their organisation or industry and obtain mentoring and feedback from industry mentors, peers and academic experts throughout the course. Students work individually on their respective identified problem and solution while obtaining and providing feedback to peers. Collaboration, communication and support of each other is essential. There will be a “buddy system” that provide encouragement and moral support around commitment, courage, responsibility and effectiveness.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Problem Identification & Definition
| Intent: | To identify a problem that the student is interested and passionate about in their organisation. It is encouraged that student identifies a problem that is personally important and relevant. This could be a problem developed from a previous studio. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 |
| Type: | Demonstration |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 10-minute presentation followed by Q & A |
Assessment task 2: Literature Review and Case Studies
| Intent: | Research and investigate existing solutions that address the problem in other organisations and/or sectors. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Demonstration |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 10-minute presentation + Q & A |
Assessment task 3: Final Report + Reflection
| Intent: | To demonstrate reflection on the project journey as well as the learning from the culmination of the entire study program their entire study program. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1, E.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 4000 - 5000 words excluding appendices |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
None.
Recommended texts
Fleming, Nick “Smashing the State of Dumb·stuck: How to achieve impact and influence in the future world of work by mastering real-world problem-solving” 2021.
Textbooks on Systems Thinking and Design Thinking