Evaluation is where IB Design Technology IAs are won or lost. Many students treat evaluation as a summary of what they built or simply state that the solution “worked well.” This approach almost always caps marks. In IB Design Technology, evaluation is about judging success using evidence, not describing outcomes.
A strong evaluation shows examiners that you understand what worked, what didn’t, and why.
What Evaluation Means in IB Design Technology
Evaluation is the process of:
- Judging how well the final solution meets design requirements
- Using testing and user feedback as evidence
- Identifying limitations honestly
- Reflecting on the effectiveness of iteration
Evaluation is not a conclusion. It is an analysis of success based on criteria set earlier in the IA.
The Biggest Evaluation Mistake
The most common mistake is writing opinion-based evaluation.
Weak examples:
- “The product was successful.”
- “The user liked the design.”
Without evidence, these statements earn very few marks. Examiners cannot reward claims — only justified judgement.
Start With Design Requirements (Always)
Strong evaluation is structured around design requirements.
For each key requirement, you should:
- Restate the requirement
- Judge how well it was met
- Support the judgement with testing or feedback
- Identify limitations if relevant
