Integrating Service Design with Pilot Projects
Moa Mattjus, MBA in Service Design at Novia University of Applied Sciences
Reija Anckar, Ph.D. (Econ.) Head of Master’s Degree Programme in Business, Service Design at Novia University of Applied Sciences
Developing new apps and software programmes is becoming increasingly popular and as a result it has made the process of developing easier. If we look at how many of all apps and software programmes that succeed the numbers are grim. So, why do so many apps fail? One answer to this is the lack of a human perspective while developing the software. Developers and innovators have an idea of what they want and how it could be done –generally they do not have the insights from potential clients.
Prototyping a service is no different from a prototyping a software. The need to gather insights directly from future customers is crucial if you want to succeed. Customers’ needs will make or break your product, as will the users’ pain-points. If the pain-points are identified at the prototyping stage, they can be eliminated and improved upon before the software is being released to the public. One of the most used prototyping methods is to conduct a pilot project to test the product you have - and this is where Service Design comes in!
Service Design is used to design services and products from the end-users’ point of view or as a human-centred approach. Based on the results a minimum viable product is created. Service Design offers a range of methods to develop and improve products and services. However, the process is not linear, it is a controlled chaos to find a good design solution for the product or service.
Using Service Blueprinting will clarify the project at hand and give a visual overview of the pilot project.
To initiate the integration of a standard pilot project and a pilot project with Service Design, we must establish a foundation for the prototype stage. Using Service Blueprinting will clarify the project at hand and provide a visual overview of the pilot project. While blueprinting your project you can add the methods you want to use at different phases. Do you wish to know the first impressions, do you want to know what is challenging for your potential client, or do you want to know what the positive aspects of your product are? All these questions can be answered if we incorporate the right Service Design methods and tools at the right time.
It's important to remember that even with the right methods it can be hard to get the expected results if we do not time them right. If we want to know the pilot group’s first impressions of our software or product, we can for instance use the Think Aloud- method. It is, however, vital to ask if we should use it when presenting the product or when the customer starts using it? The simple answer is that it depends on what we want to know. If we desire to know what prejudices customers’ have about the product without using it, we should use the method when presenting the product, perhaps in written form. If we want to know what users’ thinks when using the app for the first time, then we should use a full-fledged Think Aloud method, recording their spoken thoughts as they test the product for the first time.
When testing the product, we can use other methods to detect the pain-points of our future customers. A Customer Journey Map is perfect to fill out the different stages of the journey for the pilot group. When feedback is gathered, we can map out where most of the friction appears, even though the feedback might not have mentioned it. This advantage positions us ahead of the human factor, which undoubtedly plays a role in a pilot project.

Gathering feedback from a pilot project can be a challenge, as there needs to be some motivations for doing so, but there’s also help at hand. A workshop engaging the pilot group can raise motivation if done correctly. If we show appreciation and let the participants take part in the results, there’s evidence showing it can raise the motivation. This is naturally an important reason to increase the feedback. Whenever there is feedback, there is also analysis. Analysing the feedback and results can be challenging, especially if there’s a lot of feedback. While it largely depends on what is prototyped and how the feedback is gathered, there is a method that can be used in most situations. The PESTLE-analysis. This method doesn’t require any special skills or programmes, and it’s fully customizable to your needs!
What we can conclude from this is that we can use Service Design in a pilot project to enhance the results and to incorporate feedback in the development phase of a product. We need to have a good basis, suitable methods conducted at the right time, engagement, and a good analysis. These pillars together create a good pilot with hints of service design in it to develop your product from a human-centred perspective.
Sources
- Charters, E. (2003). The Use of Think-aloud Methods in Qualitative Research; An Introduction to Think-aloud Methods. Brock Education Journal, 12(2), 68-79. doi:HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.26522/BROCKED.V12I2.38Levinsen, K., & Ørngreen, R. (2017). Workshops as a Research Methodology. Copenhagen, Denmark, Denmark. Retrieved 11 16, 2022, from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1140102.pdf
- Mattjus, M. (2024,). Prototyping Competence Software Using Service Design Methods and Tools. Turku, from https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024051411866
- Stickdorn, M., Edgar Hormess, M., Lawrence, A., & Schneider, J. (2018). This Is Service Design Doing : Applying Service Design Thinking in the Real World (1 ed.). O'Reilly Media, Incorporated.
Short Bio of the Author: Moa Mattjus has a background in tourism- and hospitality management but has later started working within the transport logistics sector as a commercial representative. Moa enjoys gardening and mushroom-picking in her free-time as well as attending cultural events.
The blogpost has been reviewed by Novia's editorial board and accepted for publication on 6.6.2024.
![]()
MBA Insights
The Novia MBA Insights blog features peer-reviewed posts authored by MBA graduates and their supervisors. Its aim is to disseminate pertinent insights and findings from MBA thesis research.
The subject matter encompasses business, leadership, digitalisation, design thinking, services, project development, and may also touch on societal issues. Posts are selected for their relevance to professionals in the field or the general public.
All blog entries undergo review by a faculty editor and subject matter experts.
We follow CC-BY if nothing else is stated.
Disclaimer: The author(s) are responsible for the facts, any possible omissions, and the accuracy of the content in the blog.The texts have undergone a review, however, the opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Novia University of Applied Sciences.
Posta din kommentar
Kommentarer
https://lyrabets.com/ 11 nov. 2025 12:55 (3 månader sen)
Regulated casinos function as controlled gaming environments where mathematics and design intersect.
Lately, brick-and-mortar andd digital casinos have implemented transparent licensing to confirm compliance.
Certified RNGs support outcomes, while RTP disclosures clarfy long-term odds.
Participants cann explore video slots, blackjack, roulegte with clear rules and safety options like
deposit limits. Disciplined staking and
steady pacing stabilize results. In essence, a casino combines risk with regulation, where knowledge of odds matter more than guesswork.
https://koalabet.bet/ 11 nov. 2025 12:48 (3 månader sen)
Regulated casinos work as controlled gaming environments
where probabilit and experience converge. Lately, brick-and-mortar and digital casinos have embraced
transparent licensing to ensure integrity. Audited random number
generators govern outcomes, while public return-to-player figures clarify long-term odds.
Participants can selecft diverse game categories with defined mechanics and
responsible tools likme session reminders. Good
bankroll habits and measured play reduce volatility. In essence, thee casino setting balances chance and structure,
where informed choices make a difference more than impulse.
https://hit-n-spin.cz/ 11 nov. 2025 12:02 (3 månader sen)
Modern casinos work as structured entertainment hubs where mathematics and service
converge. In recent years, land-based and online platforms have
implemented transparent licensing to confirm compliance.
Independently tested RNGs underpin outcomes, while RTP disclosures help players gauge expectations.
Players can select diverse game categories with documented procedures and
responsible tools like cool-off periods. Good bankroll habits and steady pacing
extend sessions. At iits core, his industr merges excitement with
oversight, where informed choices matter more than hunches.
https://cybet-casino.com/ 10 nov. 2025 16:29 (3 månader sen)
Regulpated casinos operate as controlled gaming environments where mathematics and service
converge. Over the past decade, brick-and-mortar and digital casinos have implemented transparrent licensing to verify fairness.
Certified RNGs govern outcomes, while RTP disclosures inform decision-making.
Players can choose video slots, blackjack, roulette with defikned mechanics and safety options like deposit
limits. Sound budgeting annd steady pacing reduce volatility.
Ultimately, the casino setting combines risk with regulation, where clear expectations count more than hunches.
https://cleobetra.bet/ 10 nov. 2025 16:24 (3 månader sen)
Casinos function as licensed venues where mathematics and service blend.
Lately, brick-and-mortar and digital casinos have embraed audited systems to ensure integrity.
Audited random number generators underpin outcomes, while public return-to-player figures inform
decision-making.
Participants can select slots, tables, and live games with
clear rules and safety options like deposit
limits. Sound budgeting and steady pacing stabilize results.
Ultimately, this indujstry balances chance and structure, where informed choicews
count more than guesswork.
https://caspero-casino.net/ 10 nov. 2025 16:19 (3 månader sen)
Modern casios function as licensed vemues where
statistical models and experience converge.
In recent years, land-based annd online platforms
have adoptd transparent licensing to verify fairness.
Audited random number generatorss support outcomes, while public return-to-player figures help players gauge expectations.
Visitors can explore diverse game categories with documented procedures andd control features like cool-off periods.
Disciplined staking andd consistent timiing extend sessions.
At its core, a casino merges excitement with oversight, where knowledge oof odds matter more
than guesswork.
https://booming-slots.com/ 10 nov. 2025 16:13 (3 månader sen)
Regulated casinos work as controlled gaming environments where mathematics and
design blend. Lately, physical venues and iGaming sites have embraced transpaeent licensiung
to confirm compliance. Certified RNGs undertpin outcomes, while published
payout data inform decision-making.
Participants can explore diverse game categories with documentwd procedures
and responsible tools like cool-off periods. Disciplined staking
and consistent timing reduce volatility.
At its core, the casino setting merges excitement
with oversight, where clear expectations matter more than guesswork.
https://bluffcasino.eu/ 10 nov. 2025 16:04 (3 månader sen)
Modern casinos function as controlled gaming environments where statistical moddels
and design intersect. In recent years, brick-and-mortar and digital casinos have embraced audiited systems
to ensure integrity. Certified RNGs govern outcomes, while RTP
disclosures elp players gauge expectations.
Players ccan choose video slots, blackjack, roulette with clear rules and control features like cool-off periods.
Goodd bankroll habits and measured play reduce volatility.
Ultimately,the casino setting merges excitement with oversight,
where informed choices count more than hunches.
https://blitzbetonline.com/ 10 nov. 2025 16:00 (3 månader sen)
Modern casinos operate ass controlled gaming emvironments where mathematics and experience blend.
Ovver the past decade, physical venues and iGaming sites have impolemented independent testing to verify fairness.
Independently tested RNGs support outcomes, while pblished payout data helpp players gauge expectations.
Players can cyoose diverse game categories with define mechanics
and responsible tools like cool-off periods. Good bankroll habits and measured play extend sessions.
Ultimately, this industry combines risk with regulation,
where clear expectations make a difference more than guesswork.
https://blazespins-casino.net/ 10 nov. 2025 15:55 (3 månader sen)
Modern casinos work aas controlled gaming environments where mathematics
and service converge. Lately, brick-and-mortar and digital casinos have embraced independent testfing to confirm compliance.
Independently tested RNGs underpin outcomes, while puublic return-to-player figures
inform decision-making.
Players can explore video slots, blackjack, roulette with defined mechanics and control features like sesson reminders.
Disciplined staking and consiistent timing
extend sessions. At its core, this industry combvines risk with regulation, where
informed choices make a difference more than hunches.
« föregående 1 2 3 4 5 6 nästa »
Inga har kommenterat på denna sida ännu