Lesson 44 · Unit 6
IA Day 14 —
Build & Test · Cycle 1
Use the first fidelity model to expose uncertainty, gather real evidence and decide what must change next.
80 minutesIA Criterion D · B2.2.6
Build
Measure
Learn
Guiding question: What did the first model teach you that a drawing could not?01
Today’s destination
By the end of class, you should be able to…
01
Build for evidence
Prioritize the features that answer the test question.
02
Test with the intended user
Gather relevant performance data and feedback.
03
Document the cycle
Capture photos/drawings/CAD and concise annotations.
04
Choose a refinement
Change a feature because the evidence tells you to.
Success check: Produce clear, criterion-aligned IA evidence during today’s studio block.
IA DAY 14 · Cycle 102
Weak test
“I asked if it was comfortable.”
No defined requirement, no task, no basis for deciding what to change.
→
Stronger test
“User completes the task three times…”
“…while I record errors and ask a targeted comfort question tied to S4.”
Testing should produce actionable evidence03
Performance data
1
Dimensions / clearance
2
Task time
3
Error count
4
Force / load
5
Deflection / movement
6
Pass/fail against a threshold
+
Intended-user evidence
1
Observed hesitation
2
Preference with a reason
3
Perceived comfort
4
Confidence
5
Accessibility / usability issue
6
Unexpected behaviour
Data + user feedback strengthen the cycle04
Image / drawing
Model v1 photo
Annotation: concise schematical detail alongside the visual. Keep each IA annotation at 10 words or fewer.
Evidence note
1
Which specification?
2
What was tested?
3
What happened?
4
What did the intended user do/say?
5
What will change?
Criterion D · visual evidence + concise annotation05
Studio block
The mini-lesson is short. The evidence-making is the lesson.
60+minutes work
Build model v1
Complete enough fidelity for today’s highest-priority test.
Complete enough fidelity for today’s highest-priority test.
Run the test
Use the intended user when the requirement concerns user interaction.
Use the intended user when the requirement concerns user interaction.
Capture evidence
Photos + measurements + observed behaviour + targeted feedback.
Photos + measurements + observed behaviour + targeted feedback.
Write the refinement decision
Name the feature, change and evidence behind it.
Name the feature, change and evidence behind it.
IA studio · model → test → evidence06
Test matched a specification
The task measures something the project actually requires.
EvidenceThe task measures something the project actually requires.
Evidence is visible
Photos/data/feedback are captured now.
EvidencePhotos/data/feedback are captured now.
User testing is authentic
The intended user performs a relevant task when appropriate.
UserThe intended user performs a relevant task when appropriate.
Refinement is specific
You know exactly what changes next and why.
RefineYou know exactly what changes next and why.
Do not leave with “it worked fine”07
Exit ticket
Before you leave…
1. Show one piece of evidence gathered today.
2. State what that evidence means relative to a specification.
3. Name the specific refinement you will make next.
Next lesson
IA Day 15 — Refine & Retest: Cycle 2
Keep the evidence chain moving: user → research → decision → test.
Curriculum alignment
IA Criterion D: evidence of multiple testing and refinement cycles through intended-user testing using annotated drawings, photos of physical models and/or CAD. B2.2.6: select and use drawings, physical prototypes and CAD models to gather relevant data and feedback, analyse it and develop the design iteratively.
IA Criterion D: evidence of multiple testing and refinement cycles through intended-user testing using annotated drawings, photos of physical models and/or CAD. B2.2.6: select and use drawings, physical prototypes and CAD models to gather relevant data and feedback, analyse it and develop the design iteratively.
Lesson complete8 slides
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IB Design Technology SL · Lesson 4408