The start of the IB Design Technology IA is where many students either set themselves up for success or quietly limit their final grade. A weak start often leads to rushed decisions, poor iteration, and unclear evaluation later on. A strong start, however, makes the entire project clearer, more manageable, and far easier to score well.
The key is understanding that the IA is not about jumping into solutions. It is about defining the right problem in the right way.
Why the Start of the IA Matters So Much
The opening stages of the IA influence:
- The quality of research
- The strength of design requirements
- The relevance of testing
- The depth of evaluation
If the foundation is weak, even strong ideas later on struggle to score highly. Examiners can usually tell within the first sections whether a project is well thought out.
The Biggest Mistake Students Make at the Start
The most common mistake is starting with a solution.
Many students begin by:
- Deciding what they want to build
- Forcing a problem to fit that idea
- Writing vague problem statements
This leads to:
- Weak justification
- Artificial iteration
- Shallow evaluation
IB Design Technology rewards problem-led projects, not product-led ones.
Step 1: Identify a Real, Specific User
The best way to start is by identifying a real user with a genuine need.
Strong users are:
