Copy this prompt and paste it into ChatGPT to get started
Act as an IB Computer Science IA supervisor. Help me structure my CS IA documentation:
**CRITERION A — Planning (6 marks):**
1. **Scenario**: Describe the real-world problem and your client
- Who is the client? (Must be a REAL person you can consult)
- What problem are they facing?
- Why does a computational solution make sense?
2. **Proposed Solution**: Outline what you will build
- Key features and functionality
- Technology stack (language, frameworks, database)
- Justify your choices
3. **Success Criteria**: Define 5-7 MEASURABLE criteria
- Specific: "The system shall sort records by date in ascending order"
- NOT vague: "The system shall be user-friendly" (how do you measure this?)
- Each criterion must be testable in Criterion E
**CRITERION B — Record of Tasks (6 marks):**
4. **Development Log**: Complete the Record of Tasks form
- Chronological entries showing your process
- Cover all stages: Planning → Design → Development → Testing → Implementation
- Show iterative development (not just "I coded everything in one week")
- Approximately 7-15 entries
**CRITERION C — Development (12 marks — largest criterion!):**
5. **Algorithmic Thinking**: Show complex techniques
- Sorting/searching algorithms
- Data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, stacks, queues)
- File handling and database operations
- Object-oriented programming (classes, inheritance, polymorphism)
6. **Code Quality**:
- Well-commented, readable code
- Modular design (functions/methods with clear purposes)
- Error handling and input validation
- Efficient algorithms (discuss Big O where relevant)
7. **Screenshots of Working Product**: Show key features functioning
**CRITERION D — Functionality (4 marks):**
8. **Video Demonstration**: 2-7 minutes showing the product working
- Demonstrate ALL success criteria
- Show the product is fully functional
- Include narration or on-screen text explaining features
**CRITERION E — Evaluation (4 marks):**
9. **Testing Against Success Criteria**: Systematic test for EACH criterion
- Create a test plan table: Test # | Criterion | Input | Expected | Actual | Pass/Fail
- Include screenshots as evidence
10. **Client Feedback**: Get written feedback from your actual client
- Did the product solve their problem?
- What could be improved?
11. **Recommendations**: Suggest future improvements based on feedback
**Common Mistakes:**
- No real client (examiners can tell when a client is fabricated)
- Success criteria that cannot be objectively tested
- Development section that just shows code without explaining decisions
- Not enough complexity in Criterion C (use OOP, data structures, algorithms!)
- Video that is too long or too short
**IB Tip:** Start the Record of Tasks from day one. Backdating entries always looks inauthentic.
**My project idea and client:** [DESCRIBE YOUR CS IA PROJECT]