Struggling with your IB Business Management Internal Assessment (IA)? You’re not alone. The IA is one of the most important projects in your IB Business course—and it’s also one of the most challenging. Whether you’re in SL or HL, your IA counts for 20–25% of your final grade and demands deep analysis, real data, and strategic thinking.
This guide will walk you through what makes a successful IB Business IA, highlight high-quality sample ideas, and recommend the best tools to help you research and structure your work.
What Is the IB Business IA and Why Does It Matter?
- A written report of up to 2,000 words based on a real business issue or decision
- Students apply IB business tools and theories to analyze the issue
- Assessed internally and moderated externally
- Must include primary research (interviews, surveys) and relevant secondary data
- Helps you develop critical thinking, business insight, and academic writing skills
Sample Research Question (RQ) Examples That Score Well
A strong RQ is focused, clear, and analytical. Here are sample ideas used by top students:
- To what extent should Company X adopt a hybrid working model to improve productivity?
- Should Coffee Shop Y expand to a second location in central London?
- To what extent would an increase in employee training improve performance at Retailer Z?
- Should a family-run bakery introduce e-commerce to increase market share?
- Is it financially viable for Tech Startup A to outsource app development to Vietnam?
Ideal Structure of an IB Business IA
Here’s the structure that consistently earns high marks:
- Title Page: RQ, student name, school, word count
- Executive Summary: Brief overview of the issue, findings, and recommendations
- Introduction: Company background and rationale for choosing the issue
- Methodology: Tools used, data sources, limitations
- Main Body:
- Application of business tools (e.g., SWOT, PESTLE, Break-even Analysis, Force Field)
- Analysis of primary and secondary data
- Balanced evaluation
- Conclusion and Recommendations: Based on findings, tied directly to the RQ
- Bibliography: Proper citations (APA, MLA, or Chicago)
- Appendices: Raw data (surveys, interview transcripts, financials)
Best Tools and Business Concepts to Use
Using the right business tools is critical. Consider:
- SWOT Analysis – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
- PESTLE – Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental factors
- Financial Ratios – Profit margin, ROCE, liquidity ratios
- Break-even Analysis – Especially for expansion or pricing decisions
- Force Field Analysis – For evaluating change resistance
- Boston Matrix or Ansoff Matrix – Strategic options
- Motivation Theories – Maslow, Herzberg, McGregor
What Makes a Great Business IA Sample?
Here’s what top-scoring samples all have in common:
- A clear, focused research question
- At least one business tool applied correctly
- Balanced use of primary and secondary research
- Deep analysis and not just description
- Recommendations that are realistic and supported by data
- A clean, logical structure with strong presentation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using vague or broad research questions
- Over-reliance on secondary sources without interviews or surveys
- Applying tools incorrectly or without analysis
- Repeating textbook definitions without depth
- Recommendations not linked to actual findings
- Ignoring formatting and IA presentation guidelines
How RevisionDojo Can Help You Ace the Business IA
RevisionDojo is the go-to ethical support tool for IB Business Management. Their IA planner, topic support, and guided breakdowns help students produce polished, original IAs with confidence.
- Offers step-by-step IA templates and example structures
- Includes tool-specific guides (e.g., how to apply SWOT or Force Field Analysis)
- Features a smart IA grader to self-assess your work
- Aligned with IB 2025 guidelines
- Helps you stay organized, ethical, and efficient—no shortcuts, no AI plagiarism
Check it out here: RevisionDojo Business IA Planner
Frequently Asked Questions About IB Business IA
Q1: How long should the Business IA be?
Max 2,000 words—not including appendices, executive summary, or bibliography.
Q2: Can I use a small or family-owned business?
Yes! In fact, smaller businesses often give more access to primary data.
Q3: Do I need to include both primary and secondary research?
Yes. IB expects you to collect your own data (interviews/surveys) and support it with reliable secondary sources.
Q4: What tools should I use?
Use 1–3 tools relevant to your research question (e.g., SWOT + financial ratios for profitability).
Q5: Should my IA have recommendations?
Yes. You must conclude your analysis and offer realistic, actionable advice.
Q6: Can I do a marketing-focused IA?
Absolutely—market entry, promotional strategies, or segmentation are all great focuses.
Final Words: Start Early, Stay Focused, and Use the Right Support
The IB Business IA is your chance to shine as a real-world thinker. Don’t wait until the deadline looms. Start early, select a compelling topic, collect solid data, and use RevisionDojo to guide your process every step of the way.
By approaching your IA with strategy and structure, you’ll not only score high—you’ll build lasting business skills.
