Project+Details

** Project **
Duration: 30 hours Maximum mark: 30 Weighting: HL 20%

** Introduction **
The requirement of the project is to develop an original IT solution to a real problem for a specified client. Students should undertake a challenging task using advanced techniques published annually on the OCC to demonstrate their practical IT and project management skills.

** Key terms **
The terms developer and student are synonymous. In this scenario the developer is the student. The terms product and IT solution are interchangeable. In general, the IT solution refers to the product before it has been completed.

** Choice of topic **
In identifying a problem, students can select any topic that interests them. It does not have to be directly related to the specified themes in the syllabus. There are several possibilities in choosing the client: the client chosen may be from inside the school environment, but must not be the ITGS teacher, or from outside the school, such as family or friends. Examples of clients from within the school could include the following. Examples of clients from outside the school could include the following. Students will need to work closely with the client throughout the lifetime of the project. Therefore, it is recommended that, wherever possible, students select a client who is known to them or their family. This could also include members of the school community, local clubs and/or businesses. It is strongly advised that a contributor’s agreement is signed.
 * The IB Diploma Programme theatre teacher ( client ) requires a method of managing the finance and seat booking for a school theatre production ( problem ). A possible solution is to develop a multiple-page spreadsheet that links a diagrammatic representation of the seating plan with the financial information.
 * The IB Primary Years Programme or kindergarten teacher ( client ) requires a method to introduce the basic greetings in another language to 4-year-olds ( problem ). A possible solution is to develop a multimedia presentation that includes a series of sound and video clips.
 * The IB Diploma Programme history teacher ( client ) requires an effective way for students to record and analyse information obtained from a scheduled field trip ( problem ). A possible solution is to develop a comprehensive desktop-published workbook including the development of a reusable template and the significant manipulation of images.
 * A photographer ( client ) requires a method of increasing his visibility and consequently his income from the sale of images ( problem ). A possible solution is to develop a website.
 * A manager of a local sports team ( client ) requires a method of keeping accurate records of players’ details, attendance at training sessions and performance throughout the season ( problem ). A possible solution is to develop a relational database.

** Requirements **
The project consists of three parts. All must be submitted for moderation in digital rather than hard copy format. Instructions for the submission of student work can be found in the Handbook of procedures for the Diploma Programme.
 * A cover page
 * The product ( IT solution)
 * The documentation

** Cover page **
The cover page form is included within a ZIP file in either HTML or TXT format, available on the OCC. The cover page form must be used. The cover page must be submitted in HTML format and provide access to the product and the documentation via relative hyperlinks. The cover page is not included in the overall word count for the project. If additional information to access or locate the product is required—for example, a username and password—this must be provided in the cell provided on the cover page. The cover page must be called [cand_no]_[cand_name]_CoverPage.htm and be located in the top-level folder.

**Product**
The product is the IT solution. Students should aim to develop a product that uses advanced techniques (see the list of appropriate techniques for the development of the project on the OCC), is fully functional, and the complete internal structure of the product must be available for moderation. It should be noted that products created using templates that show no evidence of modification in their structure, design or functionality are not permitted. Examples of inappropriate products include:
 * the development of a website (product) using a web-based template that completely determines its structure and layout
 * a product consisting of a data mashup consisting only of secondary data
 * the use of unmodified exemplar products or templates provided with software such as the Northwind database in Microsoft Access ®.
 * Any text within the product is not included in the overall word count for the project.

** Documentation **
To assist students in the development and submission of the project, the ZIP file contains the cover page, analysis form, project schedule form and product design form. The documentation must consist of eight files. The final documentation consists of the following. > The information added to the forms must be in the following style(s): > This information is not included in the word count unless the student includes extended writing. In this case, the words will be included in the word count. > The templates in the ZIP file must be used. > This is the only information included in the word count and must not exceed 2,000 words. > It is recommended that the templates in the ZIP file are used. > It is recommended that the name of the client and their occupation and the date of the consultation are clearly stated. > Because of the different media that can be used, there are no templates in the ZIP file for evidence of consultation between the student and the client.
 * Information added to forms to provide evidence of the analysis, a project schedule and the design of the product.
 * bullet points or tables to list information
 * scanned diagrams or other appropriate images as part of the design process
 * other styles of non-extended writing or diagrammatic representation such as flow charts, Gantt charts or spider diagrams where appropriate.
 * A series of documents that use text (continuous writing) that:
 * identifies the client’s problem and explains how the present scenario is inadequate
 * justifies the rationale behind the choice and development of the IT solution
 * evaluates the success of the product in resolving the existing inadequacies.
 * Evidence of consultation with the client, such as a written record of the interview (either a summary or transcript), a sound file, a video, or an exchange of emails that may be supported by a questionnaire, providing evidence of the initial consultation and the gathering of feedback from the client after the product is completed. This information must be referenced under the appropriate criterion heading, and is not included in the word count.

** Organization of documentation **
The documentation must be located in the documentation folder and consist of eight files. It is associated with criteria A–F.

The following table indicates the content and nature of each of the files and the criterion that it relates to.


 * ~ File  ||~  Nature of submission  ||~ Criterion ||
 * Initial investigation [of problem] || Text || A ||
 * Initial consultation [with client] || Methods such as a written record of the interview (either a summary or transcript), a sound file, a video, or an exchange of emails that may be supported by a questionnaire || A ||
 * Analysis || Analysis form including additional text || B ||
 * Project schedule || Project schedule form || C ||
 * Product design || Product design form || D ||
 * Product development || Text with screenshot evidence || E ||
 * Feedback from client || Methods such as a written record of the interview (either a summary or transcript), a sound file, a video, or an exchange of emails that may be supported by a questionnaire || F ||
 * Product evaluation and future product development || Text || F ||

It is strongly recommended that the documentation is submitted in a commonly used format such as PDF, RTF or TXT.

Appendices are not required.

**Development of the project**

Students are advised to use the following guidelines to produce their project. This will ensure it fulfills the requirements of the criteria.

When developing the ITGS project, the student must follow the processes as set out in each of the criteria. Criteria A–D inclusive must be reviewed by the teacher before allowing the student to proceed to making the product in criterion E.