IA Criterion D:
New requirements for 2020
Testing and evaluation is designed to measure the success of your solution.
In this section of the IA, you need to develop a strategy for testing (D1), carry out the tests and evaluate the results (D2), and suggest further improvements to the prototype (D3)
D1
Justify a testing strategy to measure the success of the prototype
1 A4 page or the equivalent
200 words
The only required evidence for this strand are:
the testing strategy
a justification of why this testing strategy is appropriate.
Note and Guidance
The goal of the tests is to measure the success of the prototype. Thus, in this step you should explain and justify how this testing strategy will help measure the success of the prototype. Each strategy should collect data (qualitative and quantitative).
You should select from a number of testing strategies to ensure you can accurately measure the success of the prototype. These could include, but are not limited to
User testing by giving the product to the user to use and observing and gathering feedback.
Performance testing of the critical features of the design.
Expert Feedback through and interview or evaluation from an expert.
Durability testing to determine how the prototype performs of time or under stress (load , wear and tear). *Important: this type of testing may be destructive. It is a good idea to do it last, after you have completed other non-destructive tests.
Safety testing to determine hazards and how well the prototype meets relevant safety regulations
Comparison against existing products
Life-cycle analysis to measure impact.
Tips
It is a good idea to start developing your testing strategy (D1) when you are working on your specifications (A3). This way, you can ensure your specifications will be testable.
Prioritize your tests from non-destructive to destructive
Surveys: review the quality of your questions to ensure you gather meaningful and accurate data. Refer to the Designing Successful Surveys explainer
Suggested Workflow for D1
Review your A3 Design Specifications
Identify and Justify testing strategies that will evaluate these specifications. Remember, some testing strategies may measure several specifications at once.
We recommend you present your work for Criteria D1 in the following format:
A table with the follow columns:
Specification, Testing Method, Justification
D2
Evaluate the success of the prototype against the design specification
Two A4 pages or the equivalent
700 words
The only required evidence for this strand are:
information gathered from testing of the prototype
an indication of the extent to which the prototype matches the requirements of the design specification.
Note and Guidance
Impact summary: We recommend that you present a summary of the impact of your design on the user. Using the data from your testing, present an overall evaluation of your prototype. Be honest and practical in your summary. This can be a short paragraph that sums up and evaluates the outcomes.
Be sure to show clear evidence that your design was tested by users. You must include photographic evidence that your design was:
manufactured, and that
users interacted with it so you could gather data
Tips
Work on D1 and D2 together to ensure you cover all aspects of your design that need to be tested.
Suggested Workflow for D2
Review your design specifications from A3.
Review your testing data that you gathered using the testing strategies in D1.
Evaluate your design, using the testing data to support your findings. You identify the strengths and/or weaknesses of the design, where relevant.
Collect and/or create charts, tables, or images to support your findings.
Very detailed data tables, and detailed evidence of testing should be included in the appendix.
Present an overall evaluation of the design's impact on solving the problem.
We recommend you present your work for Criteria D2 in the following format:
A table with the following columns:
Specification, Specification met (meets, exceeds, does not meet), notes or evaluation
Images of testing, with annotations
Charts, tables or graphs to support findings.
100-120 word Impact summary.
Use the PEEL paragraph format to write a summary of the design's' impact on the solving the user's need.
D3
Demonstrate how the prototype could be improved, considering how individual improvements affect the design as a whole.
2 A4 page2 or the equivalent
250 words
The only required evidence for this strand are:
a combination of graphical models and extended text to suggest how the prototype could be improved.
Note and Guidance
Your improvements should be based on the analysis and evaluation in D2. Remember, you are still solving the original design opportunity.
Do not create a wholly new design here. You suggestions should be focused on improving the existing prototype.
Your sketches here should show analysis of the areas that need improvement.
For HL students, this is the section where you should make make any significant changes to the form or function of your design based on user feedback and testing. In Criterion E, your design for commercial production should reflect these changes.
Suggested Workflow for D3
Identity the critical elements of the design that need to be improved.
Use graphic modeling, prototyping. CAD/CAM, or rapid prototyping (3D printing, laser cutting) to present your ideas.
Annotate all images. Annotations should highlight the features of the design that are improvements.
We recommend you present your work for Criteria D3 in the following format:
2 pages featuring a combination of images and text that describe the improvements.
Rubric (2020)
1-3
The student:
states a testing strategy to measure the success of the prototype
evaluates the success of the prototype against few aspects of the design specification with no evidence of testing
lists how the prototype could be improved.
4–6
The student:
describes a testing strategy to measure the success of the prototype
evaluates the success of the prototype against some aspects of the design specification
outlines how the prototype could be improved.
7–9
The student:
justifies a testing strategy to measure the success of the prototype
evaluates the success of the prototype against the design specification
demonstrates how the prototype could be improved, considering how individual improvements affect the design as a whole.