The Value of a Real Customer in a Capstone Project

We argue for the importance of a real customer in a capstone project course via reporting experiences from over ten years period at University of Jyvaskyla (JYU), and providing also practical knowledge and theoretical underpinnings for such an arrangement. Based on our experience and empirical data, we underline that this arrangement is a chance for the students to increase their occupational identity. Theoretically our rationalization of the course arrangement proposes self-direction, empowerment, motivation, and deep level learning strategies for the students.