Research project to advance methods in the transport sector

What is the aim of the project?

– The aim of the research project Innovation and Service Design is to create, advance and test new and established methods, tools and working methods based on service logic and which are adapted to contexts where innovation happens through collaboration. The long-term objective is to enhance the innovation skills throughout the transport sector.

How will you carry out the project?

- It is mainly carried out through two parallel sub-processes. The first involves following and supporting a number of development projects and the second consists of a tailored programme for training and experience exchange in relation to innovation and service design aimed at service managers within the Swedish Transport Administration. During our network meetings, we will continue to refine and test service-based methods, tools and working methods that are adapted to contexts where innovation takes place together with several stakeholders.

Can you give some examples of established methods that you will look at in the project?

- It is difficult for us to know in advance which methods that may be relevant. It all depends on where the projects stand and what the challenges are. But it could be about methods for environmental analysis: trend scouting, scenario technique, impact analyses, methods for idea generation such as As easy as 536 or methods for service design such as user scenarios, experience mapping, service maps, etc. We predict that there will be a wide spread of different needs and challenges and that many different analysis models will be used.

This is also why the second part of the project is so important. Here, we create an arena for a wider exchange of experience and a common “bank” of models and tools. We build a “bigger collective we” around innovation and service design.

Project objectives

• Deeper insight into open innovation management based on service logic
• Greater understanding of collaboration within and between organisations, based on a service-oriented approach.
• Enhance the innovative capacity of the transport system
• Enhance the ability of actors within the transport system to cooperate, both with each other and internally
• Knowledge sharing and experience feedback on innovation collaboration and service design between participants, as well as through scientific publication