Intervention 1

Module title	Intervention 1
Module code	POLM813DA
Academic year	2025/6
Credits	30
Module staff	Dr Maya Vachkova (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks			15

Number students taking module (anticipated)	50

Module description

Intervention 1 is a work-based module that allows you to implement service design and evaluation techniques delivered in the first two modules. It is key that you choose a work-based intervention that is aligned to your role and brings value to your organisation. Importantly, apprentices will be introduced and will practice qualitative and quantitative user research to arrive at user-centric design. You will discuss and select the intervention with the support of the Workplace Mentor and the Academic Mentor. This choice is formalised in a Progress Review meeting before the module starts, to allow you and the Workplace Mentor to scope, plan and prepare stakeholder engagement strategies and other resources necessary for the intervention.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to allow students the time to practise service design with input from users and stakeholders.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Scope a project in line with workplace requirements, budget and timescales (S23).
2. Select an appropriate set of methods for intervention design, including boundary judgements, stakeholder engagement plans, action logs (K11, S2).
3. Design appropriate data collection process including but not limited to quantitative and qualitative data, workshops, questionnaires, interviews and experiments (K6, S7).
4. Consider and mitigate against ethical implications of the intervention both in research design and implementation (K16, S22).
5. Co-create a map of current and/or future states of the service with stakeholders and users (S5, S6).

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

6. Demonstrate awareness how services fit within a wider organisational design and seeks alignment with long-term organisational goals and priorities (K21).
7. Test ideas with stakeholders and critically analyses input considering issues of power and authority (S14).
8. Seek out marginalised perspectives and aims to include diverse viewpoints (S20).

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

9. Develop flexibility and shows adaptability to changing goals and circumstances (B3).
10. Develop negotiation skills (S19).
11. Take a systemic approach to complex problems by analysing the big picture with stakeholders and users (B2).

Syllabus plan

Qualitative and quantitative research and data collection methods.
Project planning and design.
Systems thinking in practice.
Compiling an e-portfolio of evidence.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
20	70	300

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	20	Lectures and workshops
Guided independent study	70	Independent work on portfolio and EPA exam preparation
Placement/Study Abroad	300	Apprentice applying SD concepts to work context

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Presentation	20 mins (equivalent to 2000 words)	1,2,3,4	Peer reviewed

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
0	0	100

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Report	100	3500 words	1-8	Written

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Report	Report	1-8	Next re-assessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Suoheimo, M., Jones, P. H., Lee, S.-H., & Sevaldson, B. (2025). Systemic service design. Routledge.
Jackson, M. C. (2019). Critical systems thinking and the management of complexity Chichester: Wiley.
Heapy, J., King, O., & Samperi, J. (2018). Customer-Driven Transformation: How Being Design-Led Helps Companies Get the Right Services to Market. Kogan Page Publishers.
Stickdorn, M., Hormess, M. E., Lawrence, A., & Schneider, J. (2018). This is service design doing. O'Reilly Media, Inc.

Key words search

Work-based project, service design, systems thinking, professional practice.

Credit value	30
Module ECTS	15
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	Yes
Origin date	21/10/2025