IB Graduation Guide February 2025 PDF

i Table of Contents 1. Overview of the IB Graduation Assignment.............................................................................. 2 1.1 The IB Research Framework.............................................................................................. 2 1.2 Description of the Phases in the IB Research Framework............................................. 3 1.2.1 Phase 1: Introduce the Business Issue..................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Phase 2: Discover Insights about the Business Issue............................................ 3 1.2.3 Phase 3: Define the Focus of the Business Issue................................................... 3 1.2.4 Phase 4: Develop Potential Solutions....................................................................... 4 1.2.5 Phase 5: Validate the Proposed Solution.................................................................. 4 1.2.6 Phase 6: Action Plan.................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Way of Working in the IB Graduation Assignment........................................................... 5 1.3.1 Structured Supervision with Small Deliverables...................................................... 5 1.3.2 Peer Feedback.............................................................................................................. 6 1.3.3 Evidence-based Research.......................................................................................... 6 1.3.4 Blended Learning.......................................................................................................... 6 1.3.5 Fixed Deadlines and Opportunities for Submission................................................ 7 1.4 Entry Requirements and Starting Date.............................................................................. 8 2 Guidelines for Completing Each Phase in the IB Graduation Assignment.......................... 9 2.1 Phase 1: Introduce the Business Issue............................................................................. 9 2.1.1 Goal of Phase 1............................................................................................................ 9 2.1.2 Duration, Activities, and Deliverables........................................................................ 9 2.1.3 Solution Report........................................................................................................... 10 2.2 Phase 2: Discover Insights about the Business Issue.................................................. 10 2.2.1 Goal of Phase 2: Discover......................................................................................... 10 2.2.2 Duration, Activities, and Deliverables...................................................................... 10 2.2.3 Solution Report........................................................................................................... 12 2.3 Phase 3: Define the Focus of the Business Issue......................................................... 12 2.3.1 Goal of Phase 3: Define............................................................................................. 12 2.3.2 Duration, Activities, and Deliverables...................................................................... 12 2.3.3 Solution Report........................................................................................................... 13 2.4 Phase 4: Develop Potential Solutions............................................................................. 13 2.4.1 Goal of Phase 4: Develop............................................................................................... 13 2.4.2 Duration, Activities, and Deliverables............................................................................ 13 2.4.3 Solution Report................................................................................................................. 15 2.5 Phase 5: Validate the Solution.......................................................................................... 15 ii 2.5.1 Goal of Phase 5: Validate.......................................................................................... 15 2.5.2 Duration, Activities, and Deliverables...................................................................... 15 2.5.3 Solution Report........................................................................................................... 18 2.6 Phase 6: Report and Next Steps...................................................................................... 18 2.6.1 Goal of Phase 6: Report............................................................................................ 18 2.6.2 Duration, Activities, and Deliverables...................................................................... 18 2.6.3 Solution Report........................................................................................................... 19 3 Outline of the Solution Report................................................................................................... 20 Title Page......................................................................................................................................... 20 List of Figures / List of Tables....................................................................................................... 20 Table of Contents (ToC)................................................................................................................. 20 Chapter 1: Description of the Organization and the Business Issue (~1000 words)........... 20 1.1 Description of the Organization........................................................................................ 20 1.2 Description of the Business Issue.................................................................................... 21 Chapter 2: Business Issue Analysis (~2500 words).................................................................. 21 2.1 Users (~800 words)............................................................................................................ 21 2.1.1 Applied research techniques (~300 words)............................................................ 21 2.1.2 Key findings (~500 words)......................................................................................... 22 2.2 Organization (~800 words)................................................................................................ 22 2.3 Context (~800 words)......................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 3: Problem Definition (~500 words).............................................................................. 22 3.1 Three Main Insights (~200 words)................................................................................... 22 3.2 Problem Definition (~300 words)...................................................................................... 22 Chapter 4: Development of the Model Solution (~2000 words).............................................. 23 4.1 Potential Solutions (~700 words)..................................................................................... 23 4.2 Selecting the Most Viable Solution for Validation (~1000 words)................................ 23 4.3 Model Solution (~300 words)............................................................................................ 23 Chapter 5: Validation of the Model Solution (~3500 words)..................................................... 24 5.1 Data Collection and Data Analysis (~2000 words)........................................................ 24 5.1.1 Data collection (~1200 words).................................................................................. 24 5.1.2 Field research execution (~500 words)................................................................... 24 5.1.3 Data analysis (~300 words)....................................................................................... 25 5.2 Results (~1200 words)....................................................................................................... 25 5.3 Conclusion (~300 words)................................................................................................... 25 Chapter 6: Action Plan (~1000 words)........................................................................................ 26 6.1 Goal...................................................................................................................................... 26 iii 6.2 Actions.................................................................................................................................. 26 6.3 Stakeholders........................................................................................................................ 26 6.4 Timeline................................................................................................................................ 26 6.5 Resources............................................................................................................................ 27 6.6 Potential barriers and Mitigation measures.................................................................... 27 6.7 Expected outcome(s)......................................................................................................... 27 Reference List................................................................................................................................. 27 Appendices...................................................................................................................................... 27 4 Submission Process, Minimum Submission Requirements, and AI Tools......................... 28 4.1 Submission Process for the Solution Report.................................................................. 28 4.1.1 First Opportunity and Second Opportunity Deadlines.......................................... 28 4.2 Minimum Submission Requirements........................................................................... 29 4.3 Using AI tools in the IB Graduation Assignment........................................................ 29 5 Assessment of the IB Graduation Assignment....................................................................... 31 5.1 Overview of the Assessment of the IB Graduation Assignment.................................. 31 5.2 Rubric for Evaluating the IB Graduation Assignment.................................................... 33 6 Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)................................................................................ 34 Appendices.......................................................................................................................................... 37 Appendix I: From PLOs to Assessment Criteria – Orientation Guide......................................... 37 Appendix II: Assessment Matrix for the IB Graduation Assignment........................................... 41 Appendix III: Rubric for Evaluating the IB Graduation Assignment............................................. 44 iv Welcome to the IB Graduation Assignment! For the next twenty weeks, you will embark on the most challenging yet rewarding endeavour of your bachelor studies in International Business (IB) at the Rotterdam Business School (RBS). Completing the IB Graduation Assignment will bring you closer to graduating from the IB programme and entering the professional field. This marks the culmination of your academic journey, a moment where your skills, knowledge, and determination will converge to launch you into the dynamic world of international business. The IB Graduation Assignment serves as the ultimate test of your capabilities. Throughout this period, you will apply what you have learned, push your boundaries, and demonstrate the expertise you have gained in the areas of international trade, marketing, finance, and management, among others. It is essential to understand that this assignment is not just another academic task but a real- world challenge. You will be tasked with addressing a complex international business issue, and your solution will have practical implications for the organization where you are conducting your research. Therefore, the IB Graduation Assignment comes with a lot of responsibility. Your efforts will be an investment in your future career, and the experiences you gain during this journey will shape you into a highly qualified and adaptable professional, ready to thrive in the ever-evolving global business landscape. This Guide will be your trusted companion, offering guidance, insights, and tips to navigate this demanding process. It is designed to support you as you tackle the tasks ahead, providing a roadmap to success. It is your hard work, dedication, and innovative thinking that will set your work apart. As you dive into this Guide, remember that you are not alone. Your IB Supervisor, Organization Supervisor, and peers are here to support you every step of the way. Wishing you the very best as you approach the final stretch of your IB studies at RBS and this key milestone! 1 1. Overview of the IB Graduation Assignment 1.1 The IB Research Framework In the IB Graduation Assignment, you will follow a framework that is specifically designed for the IB programme. It is derived from and inspired by recognized research processes, including Action Research and Design Thinking (see Figure 1). This framework emphasises the applied nature of the research you will conduct, an in-depth understanding of the business issue at hand, and the validity of the proposed solution. Depending on the nature of the business issue, the IB Graduation Assignment can serve as a professional product that provides, for example, advice to an organization; a design of a final product, service, or process; or a physical or digital realization of a design. The IB Research Framework consists of six phases. Each phase is distinct and serves as a milestone allowing you to proceed to the next phase. Hence, to progress through each phase and avoid delays, it is essential that you start and finish each phase within the given timeline. Below, you can read more about the content and activities in each of these phases. Figure 1. IB Research Framework 2 1.2 Description of the Phases in the IB Research Framework 1.2.1 Phase 1: Introduce the Business Issue At the start of the IB Graduation Assignment, you will meet your IB Supervisor and the peers in your supervision group with whom you will collaborate over the next twenty weeks. You will discuss the business issue you have been tasked to research and revisit the information you presented in the Business Issue Canvas when you applied for this assignment. Additionally, the Business Issue Canvas will be the focal point of a meeting with your IB Supervisor and Organization Supervisor. The goal of this meeting is to ensure that everyone shares the same understanding of the business issue, and expectations about the assignment, and to provide an opportunity to discuss and clarify the next steps in the process. It is your task to organize and lead this (online) meeting. At the end of this phase, you will be able to write Chapter 1 of the Solution Report. 1.2.2 Phase 2: Discover Insights about the Business Issue In the Discover phase, your objective is to gain in-depth insights into the business issue and its stakeholders. This involves identifying relevant stakeholders and gathering and analysing various types of information about the business issue. For this reason, your research will focus on three areas: (1) Users – individual(s) directly affected by the business issue, (2) Organization - part(s) of the organization influenced by the business issue, and (3) Context – analysing current practical and/or theoretical developments related to the business issue. Once the stakeholders are identified, it is critical to determine what you need to know about the business issue and how you are going to collect the necessary data for each focus area. Please note that it is mandatory to consult and cite current professional and/or academic literature in this phase. Additionally, data from interviews and observations will be gathered informally. Regardless of how broad the business issue is, by the end of this phase, you should have an in-depth understanding of all its facets. At the end of this phase, you will be able to write Chapter 2 of the Solution Report. 1.2.3 Phase 3: Define the Focus of the Business Issue The Define phase serves as a bridge between the first and the second diamonds of the IB Research Framework. It is closely linked to the Discover phase because you need the knowledge gathered in this phase to Define a specific problem to study further. Phase 3 is pivotal in the IB Graduation Assignment because it sets the course of your research in the second diamond – the research on the solution. You will need to provide convincing arguments rooted in the findings of the Discover phase to define the problem you are going to solve further in your research. The Define phase concludes with a Problem Statement that guides you forward to the next phase. At the end of this phase, you will be able to write Chapter 3 of the Solution Report. 3 1.2.4 Phase 4: Develop Potential Solutions In Phase 4, you will identify multiple and diverse potential solutions for the specific problem you defined in the previous phase. These solutions can be derived from the current professional and/or academic literature, from interviews with industry experts, in collaboration with your peers in the supervision group via various brainstorming techniques, and, if necessary, you may also facilitate a brainstorming session with relevant stakeholders within the organization. It is important to identify solutions from various perspectives before you can identify the one(s) most suitable for addressing the specific problem of the organization. This increases the reliability of your research. For this reason, it is mandatory to source ideas for potential solutions from current professional and/or academic literature and at least one other approach: interviews with industry experts or a brainstorming session with peers/stakeholders in the organization. After identifying a list of potential solutions, you will assess their feasibility to determine the three most viable solutions. Based on your thorough analysis using credible sources and advice from the organization, you will select one solution (or a combination of multiple simple solutions) and develop it into a model solution to be validated further. Notably, you must provide a thorough justification for the selected solution. The model solution should be designed as realistically as possible to ensure that Phase 5 provides valid and reliable results. At the end of this phase, you will be able to write Chapter 4 of the Solution Report. 1.2.5 Phase 5: Validate the Proposed Solution In the Validation phase, your objective is to conduct formal research to determine to what extent the proposed solution effectively solves the specific problem. Following the design of the model solution, you will set up research goals and variables for the validation of the model solution and an appropriate research methodology for data collection and analysis. Depending on the model solution's design, you may conduct field research using methods such as interviews, focus groups, observations, surveys, and/or experiments—or a combination of these. You may also support the field research with desk research. Field research and collecting and documenting primary data are mandatory in this phase. Once you have collected all the necessary data, you will need to analyse it thoroughly. For instance, if you conducted interviews, you could analyse the transcripts with a thematic analysis. The findings from the Validation phase will provide insights that may lead to one of three outcomes: (1) the model solution effectively solves the problem for the organization; (2) the model solution needs modifications to work better in practice; (3) the model solution requires a complete revision. All three outcomes are valid and valuable for the organisation. Therefore, you should be transparent about the outcome of the Validation phase. You will use your findings to develop an Action Plan in the next phase. At the end of this phase, you will be able to write Chapter 5 of the Solution Report. 4 1.2.6 Phase 6: Action Plan In the concluding phase of the IB Graduation Assignment, your task is to formulate an Action Plan for the organization and finalize the Solution Report. The Action Plan provides a goal and a roadmap for the organization to address the outcome from the Validation phase. Depending on the success of the model solution, the plan may detail specific tasks and activities for implementing the original design, incorporating adjustments, or exploring alternative solutions to the problem. The Action Plan forms Chapter 6 of the Solution Report. 1.3 Way of Working in the IB Graduation Assignment Before you start working on the IB Graduation Assignment, it is important to get to know the setup and expectations of the graduation period. 1.3.1 Structured Supervision with Small Deliverables As outlined in the previous sections, the IB Graduation Assignment is organized in phases. Each phase is distinct but together the phases provide a continuous research process that concludes in the delivery of a Solution Report. For this reason, the supervision process for the IB Graduation Assignment is also organized in phases, incorporating a fixed number of meetings and interim deliverables. Your supervision group will meet the IB Supervisor during regularly scheduled workshops. All students must attend these meetings because the supervision and feedback moments will only take place during these workshops. You and your peers will follow the same process simultaneously because the phases will start and end at the same time for all students. This means that if you miss a workshop, you will need to catch up on your own. Throughout the IB Graduation Assignment, you will be presented with various templates and mapping tools to use as standard interim deliverables during the supervision process. To ensure that the assignment process runs smoothly and in a timely fashion, you will complete interim deliverables in each phase. The interim deliverables represent smaller versions of the content that needs to be completed in the chapters of the Solution Report. Depending on the needs and nature of the business issue you are researching, you may deviate from the standard templates and mapping tools shared in Brightspace and use others in consultation with your IB Supervisor. You are welcome to replace or modify them if doing so better aligns with the goals of your research. The deliverables will be further reviewed by your IB Supervisor and peers during the workshops. The feedback you will receive on these interim deliverables ensures that the research process in your graduation assignment is sound with minimal gaps. This way of supervision focuses on the bigger picture, ensuring that any gaps in the research process are addressed early on before you embark on writing an entire chapter. Therefore, your attendance and preparation for the workshops with your IB Supervisor and peers are essential! You will use the feedback to adjust the deliverables and transform the information into complete chapters in the Solution Report, following the guidelines in the Outline of the Solution Report. 5 Additionally, it is important to emphasize the role of autonomy in the completion of the IB Graduation Assignment. You are expected to take control of your research process, make independent decisions about the direction of your research, and manage your time during the completion of the necessary tasks. This includes the management of various stakeholders, including the involvement of your IB Supervisor and peers when asking for feedback. Autonomy also implies taking responsibility for the outcome of your work and adapting to the challenges that may arise. Seeing the IB Graduation Assignment as an opportunity for personal and intellectual growth enables you to pursue your own goals with initiative and creativity. Your IB Supervisor plays a crucial role in supporting this process by fostering an environment that encourages exploration, curiosity, and risk-taking, ultimately empowering you to take ownership and actively engage with your research journey. 1.3.2 Peer Feedback Peers act as valuable sounding boards throughout the research process. They provide critical feedback on your work and propose ideas for improvement. Sharing a similar position within the IB programme, peers in your supervision group draw on their diverse knowledge and experiences to make meaningful contributions to each other’s work. This collaboration is especially important during the supervision meetings where dedicated time is allocated for working on deliverables, engaging in discussions, and providing feedback and feed-forward. However, collaboration beyond the workshops is also encouraged. For instance, if you miss a workshop due to illness you may still contact the peers from your supervision group to discuss your work on a deliverable and receive feedback. 1.3.3 Evidence-based Research Evidence-based research is a cornerstone of the IB Graduation Assignment. As an IB student and future professional, you are expected to conduct research that addresses a complex business issue in professional practice. A defining feature of evidence-based research is the use of credible evidence to inform decision-making. This evidence can come from critically evaluating existing research in professional or academic literature, as well as conducting practice-oriented research using primary data collection strategies. Throughout the phases of the IB Graduation Assignment, you must ensure that your research is grounded in the proper collection, documentation, and analysis of relevant data. The sources you cite should reflect high-quality insights from both professional and academic literature, ensuring that all conclusions and findings are rooted in observable facts rather than opinions. 1.3.4 Blended Learning The supervision in the IB Graduation Assignment employs a blended learning approach. It involves in-person meetings and workshops, and online resources and materials. If your graduation assignment is located outside the Netherlands, you will join a supervision group with peers who are also located outside the Netherlands. In such instances, the entire supervision process will be conducted online via MS Teams. 6 Brightspace will play a pivotal role during the graduation assignment period. All materials for each phase will be shared on Brightspace. The submission and assessment of your IB Graduation Assignment will also take place on this platform. Finally, all communication, including announcements for the start and end of each phase will be posted in Brightspace. 1.3.5 Fixed Deadlines and Opportunities for Submission Due to the structured supervision process, phase deliverables come with set weekly deadlines. Missing a workshop or attending unprepared means losing the opportunity to receive valuable feedback on your work. While many of the deliverables are completed in the supervision meetings, it is important to keep in mind that the research, including finalizing and incorporating the feedback received, will mostly take place outside of these sessions. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to consult and adhere to the Guidelines for Completing Each Phase in the IB Graduation Assignment each week. This proactive approach will help you stay informed, avoid unnecessary delays, and ensure a smooth progression toward completing the IB programme. Additionally, the deadlines for submitting the IB Graduation Assignment are fixed and finite. Students will not be allowed to submit their Solution Reports outside of the formally planned opportunities for submission in Brightspace. Prolonged work on the IB Graduation Assignment To achieve the best results, the IB Graduation Assignment should ideally be completed within one semester, using the two assessment opportunities scheduled during that semester. However, according to RUAS regulations, students are permitted to work on their graduation assignments (theses) for up to twelve months. This means you may continue working on the same topic and with the same company for up to twelve months from the assignment's starting date. During this period, you are entitled to only two assessment opportunities. Both the submission of the Solution Report and the Interview Assessment must occur within these twelve months. If you fail to submit your Solution Report during the officially scheduled submission opportunities within the twelve-month timeframe, or if both assessment attempts are unsuccessful (i.e., the result is "Not yet competent"), or if you submit only once and that attempt is unsuccessful, you will be required to restart the IB Graduation Assignment. This restart will involve selecting a new topic and company and will begin at the next available starting date. Duration of the Supervision Cycle Starting the IB Graduation Assignment requires your full commitment and dedication. All students who start the IB Graduation Assignment in February 2025 have the right to go through the supervision cycle with the same topic and company only once. This means that if it takes you longer than the 6-month cycle to complete your work, you will not be supervised beyond the duration of the supervision process planned for that starting date. You may, however, continue to work on the Solution Report on your own until you are ready to submit it within the same calendar year. 7 1.4 Entry Requirements and Starting Date The entry requirements for the IB Graduation Assignment are outlined in Article 7.11.7 in the Student Handbook 2024-25 of the Rotterdam Business School. They are as follows: For Students in the Regular Programme: ✓ The student has obtained all ECs of the propaedeutic phase (year one), ✓ The student has completed the Internship of 30 ECs, The student has obtained at least 110 ECs of the main phase not being the minor or study abroad programme. Prove must be possible of this requirement via an Osiris printout. This implies that the student can only miss 10 ECs from year two and/or the second semester of year three (semester six), ✓ The student has no delay for projects and/or subjects for which an attendance requirement is applicable during the graduation period (such as a minor). For students in the Fast Track Programme: ✓ The student has obtained at least 110 ECs of years one and two. Prove must be possible of this requirement via an Osiris printout, ✓ The student has no delay for projects and/or subjects for which an attendance requirement is applicable during the graduation period (such as a minor). To participate in the IB Graduation Assignment starting on February 10, 2025, you must meet the entry requirements and submit a complete application by February 6, 2025 (15:00). Applications sent after the deadline will not be accepted. The most up-to-date information about the application process and all other documents is available in the Teams environment of the IB Graduation Assignment: RBS- Central Hall | 6- IB Graduation Assignment 2024-25 | Microsoft Teams. 8 2 Guidelines for Completing Each Phase in the IB Graduation Assignment 2.1 Phase 1: Introduce the Business Issue 2.1.1 Goal of Phase 1 The goal of Phase 1 is to become familiar with the business issue and the organization. This entails outlining all the critical aspects of the business issue and agreeing with the IB Supervisor and Organization Supervisor on what the business issue is. 2.1.2 Duration, Activities, and Deliverables The length of Phase 1 is one week, and it involves several activities and deliverables. Week 1: This week, you will meet your IB Supervisor and supervision group with whom you will work closely for the duration of your assignment. In addition to getting to know each other and becoming familiar with the IB Graduation Assignment and the way of working, during this session, you will present the Business Issue Canvas and introduce the organization where you will conduct your research. You and your peers will discuss and exchange feedback on the content of each Business Issue Canvas. Your IB Supervisor will be present to guide the discussion and point out the strengths and limitations. In preparation for this meeting, you should review: ✓ The IB Graduation Assignment Guide (i.e., this document) ✓ The materials for Phase 1 in Brightspace ✓ The Business Issue Canvas from your application for the IB Graduation Assignment (updated, if necessary) ✓ Upload the Business Issue Canvas in Deliverables (Week 1) in Brightspace at least one full business day before the meeting in Week 1. Deliverables: Business Issue Canvas + Introduction of the Organization Additional activity for Phase 1: In Phase 1, you should also schedule a formal meeting with your IB Supervisor and Organization Supervisor. This meeting can take place online in either Week 1 or Week 2 (Phase 2). You will send the invitation to both supervisors, including the agenda, and lead the meeting. A sample agenda is included in Brightspace (Week 1). During this meeting, you will present the Business Issue Canvas to spark a discussion about your business issue. This is an opportunity for you to show your understanding of the business issue and make sure both supervisors are on board with what you intend to study. Based on the feedback received, you will adjust the deliverable before proceeding to Phase 2. 9 2.1.3 Solution Report Based on the discussions this week, including the meeting you organized with both of your supervisors, you should have a good understanding of the organization and the business issue you are studying. This means that you can also proceed with writing Chapter 1: Description of the Organization and the Business Issue in the Solution Report. Please follow the guidelines provided in the Outline of the Solution Report. 2.2 Phase 2: Discover Insights about the Business Issue 2.2.1 Goal of Phase 2: Discover The goal of Phase 2 is to identify key stakeholders and discover as much information as possible about the business issue you described in the previous phase. This entails completing the Stakeholder Map and Stakeholder Matrix and gathering information from and about the Users, the Organization, and the surrounding Context. The purpose of these tasks is to develop an in-depth understanding of the business issue. 2.2.2 Duration, Activities, and Deliverables Phase 2 is three weeks long and it involves several activities and deliverables. Week 2: Before Week 2, you will identify the key stakeholders in the context of your business issue and map them out in the Stakeholder Map and Stakeholder Matrix. This is an important part of the research that will help you determine further from whom (or about whom) you should collect data. You must bring the Stakeholder Map and Stakeholder Matrix to this week’s meeting. In Week 2, you will participate in a workshop with your supervision group where you will fill in various mapping tools related to the data collection in three focus areas: the Users, the Organization, and the Context. You will need to carefully consider and select the research method(s) to collect the necessary data for each focus area: interviews, observations, or desk research. Based on your decision, you will use one or more of the templates listed below to prepare your data collection approach. Considering that the goal of this phase is to develop an in- depth understanding of the business issue, it is not recommended to conduct a survey. When you start filling in the selected deliverables, it is beneficial to consider the optional deliverables in Week 4 as these can be used to map out the findings following the data collection. At this stage, they can serve as an inspiration for the type of information you could search for during the data collection. However, keep in mind that they can also limit the type of findings they report. For instance, the Context Map focuses mostly on trends, however, as part of the business issue analysis you are required to also consult the professional and/or academic literature to understand the underlying theories, 10 models, or concepts that give insight into the business issue. Within the Context, you may also research competitors, and so on. In the second half of the workshop this week, you will exchange feedback with your peers on your data collection approach and receive feedback from your IB Supervisor. In preparation for this meeting, you should review: ✓ The materials for Phase 2 in Brightspace Deliverables: Stakeholder Map Stakeholder Matrix Exploratory Interview Template, if applicable AEIOU Template for Observations, if applicable Desk Research Template, if applicable Note: Here and throughout the rest of the weeks, “if applicable,” does not always mean “totally optional.” Depending on the decisions you make, in this case, about the research method(s) you are going to employ to collect the necessary data, you need to find the right template or mapping tool to showcase your work. The templates you want to use may be on this list, but they may also not be. The most important thing is that you need to find the right way that works for you to document and showcase the work done. Week 3: In Week 3, you will not have a formal meeting with your supervision group. During this week, you will gather data by executing the plans you developed in Week 2 and identify three main insights to present at the next meeting with your supervision group. If you conduct interviews, you are required to produce transcripts. Meanwhile, you are encouraged to consult with your peers on questions that may arise during the data gathering. Deliverables: Interview Transcripts, if applicable Three main insights identified from the gathered data Note: If you conducted interviews in the Discover phase then interview transcripts are mandatory. Week 4: This week, you and your peers will present the three main insights from the data you gathered the previous week. There is no need to prepare a PowerPoint presentation for this. This is optional. Thereafter, use all the data you have gathered to summarize your findings for Phase 2. Below, we have listed some optional deliverables that you can fill in; however, keep in mind that they may not be aligned with the information you were searching for while 11 gathering the necessary data. Therefore, only use these deliverables if they match the type of findings you have gathered. As preparation for this meeting, you should: ✓ Gather all the data according to the plans you developed in Week 2 ✓ Prepare the Interview Transcripts, if applicable ✓ Highlight three main insights to present to your peers and IB Supervisor Optional Deliverables: Completed Empathy Map for presenting the findings on the Users Completed Business Model Canvas, VRIO, Triple Layered Canvas or McKinsey 7s, for presenting the findings on the Organization Completed Context Map for presenting the findings on the Context Note: In general, you may select a mapping tool outside of this list to present the findings on the Users, the Organization, and the Context if that fits your assignment better. Please consult your IB Supervisor if you are considering other tools to highlight your findings. 2.2.3 Solution Report By the end of the Discover phase, you will have completed a thorough analysis of the business issue ready to be presented in Chapter 2: Business Issue Analysis of the Solution Report. Please follow the guidelines provided in the Outline. 2.3 Phase 3: Define the Focus of the Business Issue 2.3.1 Goal of Phase 3: Define The goal of Phase 3 is to identify and clearly define the specific problem you will address in the rest of your assignment. If you started Phase 1 with a broad business issue, this is an opportunity to narrow it down to a specific problem that represents a smaller aspect of the business issue that is most relevant to be solved. To determine the problem, you will use the insights from your business issue analysis in the Discover phase. Your decision and justification of the selected problem must be rooted in the findings from the Discover phase, for instance, this can be one of your three main insights. 2.3.2 Duration, Activities, and Deliverables Phase 3 is one week long and involves a few activities and deliverables. Week 5 This week is a Reflection Point. As you are nearing the end of your research on the business issue in the first diamond, you will use this opportunity to look back on the work you have done so far and identify a specific problem. This Reflection Point is important to ensure that there are no gaps in your line of reasoning and the alignment 12 between the three phases. This will help you proceed to research the solution to your selected problem in the second diamond with full confidence. For this purpose, you will prepare a presentation in either Canva, PowerPoint or Prezi. Your presentation should be a snapshot of your research activities and findings for the past five weeks and conclude with a Problem Definition. You are advised to use this opportunity to pose questions to your peers and IB Supervisor, discuss doubts about various actions or decisions you made, and seek advice. In preparation for this meeting, you should: ✓ Review the materials for Phase 3 in Brightspace ✓ Review your insights from the Discover phase ✓ Prepare a Presentation using Canva, PowerPoint or Prezi to discuss highlights from Phases 1, 2, and 3. The presentation is your story of the work you have completed so far and your decision-making process that led you to move from one phase to another. Specific attention should be paid to your explanation about how you moved from a broad business issue in Phase 1 to a specific problem in Phase 3. Deliverables: Problem Definition Presentation that includes the information from the Reflection Point Template and the Problem Definition. As part of the deliverables this week, you must also seek feedback and approval on your Problem Definition from your Organization Supervisor after the meeting with your supervision group. 2.3.3 Solution Report Following the Reflection Point, you will conclude your work on Phase 3. This means that you can also proceed with the preparation of Chapter 3: Problem Definition in the Solution Report. Please follow the guidelines provided in the Outline. 2.4 Phase 4: Develop Potential Solutions 2.4.1 Goal of Phase 4: Develop The goal of Phase 4 is to research, brainstorm, and identify various potential solutions to the problem selected in Phase 3. After you have identified a list of potential solutions, you will assess their feasibility to determine the three most viable solutions. Based on a thorough analysis using credible sources and advice from the organization, you will select one solution (or a combination of simple solutions) and develop a model solution to be further validated. 2.4.2 Duration, Activities, and Deliverables Phase 4 is three weeks long and it involves several activities and deliverables. 13 Week 6 Week 6 is dedicated to generating potential solutions relevant to the problem you set out to solve in Phase 3. These solutions can be derived from various sources. It is important to generate solutions from various perspectives before you identify the one(s) most suitable for addressing the specific problem of the organization. This increases the reliability of your research. During the workshop, you will select one brainstorming technique to generate potential solutions with the peers in your supervision group. After the workshop, you will continue looking for potential solutions. For example, you will check the existing professional and/or academic literature for potential solutions. Your primary source for potential solutions must be the current professional and/or academic literature. Next to it, you can interview industry experts and/or conduct a brainstorming session with your peers (already planned in a workshop this week) or with the organization. Keep in mind that you are required to identify solutions with at least one other approach next to consulting the current professional and/or academic literature. In preparation for this meeting, you should: ✓ Review the materials for Phase 4 in Brightspace ✓ Choose one of the suggested brainstorming techniques: Wall of Ideas, SCAMPER or Negative Thinking for generating ideas with your peers this week (or any other you are familiar with) Deliverables: The output of ideas for potential solutions from your brainstorming session with your peers As part of the deliverables this week, you must also continue to research other potential solutions by reviewing current professional and/or academic literature Week 7 In Week 7, you will finalize your list of potential solutions after thorough research and assess their feasibility to determine the three most viable solutions. Before you decide which solution to select for your organization, you must organize a meeting with your Organization Supervisor to present the carefully selected solutions with clear justifications and supporting evidence for each option. At this stage, it is important to remain flexible and prepared to further explore potential solutions, if the organization requests it. You should listen carefully to the feedback from the organization and actively implement suggestions and changes into the potential solutions, thus showing your commitment to collaboration and willingness to adapt based on their insights. In preparation for this meeting, you should: ✓ Finalize the process of generating potential solutions Deliverables: 2x2 Matrix 14 Assessment of the viability of all potential solutions Selection of the potential solution for further validation, including a thorough justification for it Approval from the organization on the selected solution Week 8 In Week 8, there will not be a formal meeting with your supervision group. However, you will dedicate this week to developing the model solution. Depending on the nature of the problem you are solving, the model solution can be designed in the form of a storyboard, a video demonstrating how the solution works, a financial budget or plan in Excel, a flyer, a digital tool, etc. The options are limitless! The design of the model solution must be as realistic and as detailed as possible and embody the essence of the proposed solution. This is your chance to highlight your creativity. You can consult with your IB Supervisor and peers on the format of the model solution. As preparation for this meeting, you should: ✓ Complete the deliverables from Week 7 Deliverable: Model solution 2.4.3 Solution Report At the end of the Develop phase, you will have all the content that you need to prepare Chapter 4: Development of the Model Solution. Please follow the guidelines provided in the Outline. 2.5 Phase 5: Validate the Solution 2.5.1 Goal of Phase 5: Validate The goal of Phase 5 is to verify the viability of the model solution and determine its effectiveness in addressing the problem identified during the Define phase. To do so, you will set up a research methodology to collect and analyse relevant data. The outcome of your validation will determine to what extent the model solution is a suitable solution for the organization. 2.5.2 Duration, Activities, and Deliverables Phase 5 is the most critical one in the IB Research Framework. It is six weeks long and consists of various activities, deliverables, and opportunities for individual consultancies. Week 9 This week, you will participate in a workshop with your supervision group. You will present the final version of your model solution and develop a Data collection plan for the validation of the model solution. 15 During the presentations, you and your peers will exchange feedback. You will have the opportunity to display how your model solution works in practice and explain the validity of your selected solution, including the format in which it was designed. During your presentation, you may also already think about the research methods with which you can validate your model solution. Next, you will need to determine the various aspects of the model solution (or variables) you need to study and use them as research goals during the validation process. To determine these aspects, you can use insights from the professional and/or academic literature and apply them to the specific model solution and the context of the company. At the same time, you will need to think carefully about which research method(s) best fit the validation of your model solution. This will determine the quality of the results and consequently, your conclusions. At this stage, it is mandatory to conduct field research and potentially, support the results from field research with desk research. Depending on the design of the model solution, you may conduct interviews, focus groups, observations, a survey, and/or an experiment, or a combination of these research methods. You will be presented with a selection of mapping tools for various data collection methods. These will be used to map out the details of your data collection plan before you start validating the model solution and collecting the data. In this way, you can exchange feedback with your peers and the IB Supervisor efficiently and make quick adjustments. You are welcome to use additional mapping tools that you think would be beneficial for capturing the details of the validation process. Use the opportunity to consult with your IB Supervisor and peers during the workshop before you make any decisions. In preparation for this meeting, you should: ✓ Review the materials for Phase 5 in Brightspace ✓ Bring your definitive version of the model solution that is ready for validation. You will present it to your peers and IB Supervisor Deliverables: Research goals Data collection plan Operationalization table for qualitative research, if applicable Operationalization table for quantitative research, if applicable Discussion guide for qualitative research, if applicable Questionnaire form (or Microsoft Forms Survey), if applicable Desk Research Template, if applicable AEIOU Template for Observations, if applicable Note: Here, “if applicable,” does not mean “totally optional.” Depending on the decisions you make, in this case, about the research method(s) you are going to employ to collect 16 the necessary data, you need to fill out and submit with your Solution Report all the applicable templates for that research method. Week 10 This week, you are going to participate in a workshop with your supervision group. You are going to explain your Data collection plan and show all the deliverables you prepared since Week 9. This is an opportunity for you to receive feedback on the quality and alignment of your: Research goals Data collection plan Operationalization table (qualitative and/or quantitative) Any other data collection instrument from the list in Week 9 that applies to your research It is extremely important to arrive at this session prepared with completed templates to receive feedback from the peers and the IB Supervisor. This is your last opportunity to minimize the risk of mistakes during the data collection and ensure that everything you intend to do is of value to the validation of the model solution. In preparation for this meeting, you should: ✓ Complete and finalize all the data collection instruments applicable to your research, including the Research goals, Data collection plan, and Operationalization table. These are mandatory tools during the validation of your model solution. Weeks 11, 12 and 13 During the next three weeks, you will collect and prepare the data for analysis. Instead of meeting in workshops, you will have the opportunity to meet in individual consultations with your IB Supervisor and consult with peers about your progress. In preparation for this stage of your research, you must: ✓ Prepare the relevant data collection deliverables from Week 10 to be able to start the data collection. This is a requirement! Otherwise, you are risking collecting unreliable and invalid data that may have serious implications for your IB Graduation Assignment. Deliverables: Transcripts, if applicable Cleaned and prepared SPSS or Excel Datafile with quantitative data, if applicable AEIOU Template for Observations, if applicable Desk Research Template, if applicable Week 14 This week, you will participate in a workshop with your supervision group during which you will analyse the data you have collected and prepared during the last four weeks. It is recommended that you already familiarize yourself with the deliverables for this 17 week and begin the data analysis before coming to the workshop. This will help you analyse the data more efficiently and enable you to ask questions for clarification at the beginning of the workshop. The most important aspect of this phase is determining the outcome of the validation of your model solution. You will determine the outcome following a thorough analysis of the collected data. You need to be able to show a clear path in your data analysis that helped you reach one of the three possible outcomes of the Validation phase: ((1) the model solution effectively solves the problem for the organization; (2) the model solution needs modifications to work better in practice; (3) the model solution requires a complete revision. All three outcomes are relevant and valuable for the organisation. Therefore, you should be transparent about it. In preparation for this stage of your research, you should: ✓ Complete the relevant deliverables for your research specified in the deliverables for Weeks 11 – 13 to be able to start the data analysis Deliverables: Thematic Analysis Template, if applicable Analysis of quantitative data in SPSS/Excel, if applicable Desk Research Template, if applicable Outcome of the Validation phase Generally speaking, you should provide evidence of the analysis of the collected data with these deliverables whenever they are applicable. You are allowed to add additional ones if you think this is necessary. It is mandatory to show evidence of appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis. 2.5.3 Solution Report After you have validated the model solution you can proceed with preparing Chapter 5: Validation of the Model Solution in the Solution. Please follow the guidelines provided in the Outline. 2.6 Phase 6: Report and Next Steps 2.6.1 Goal of Phase 6: Report The goal of the final phase of the IB Graduation Assignment is to provide an Action Plan for the organization following the insights obtained from the Validation phase. You will also finalize the Solution Report during this phase. 2.6.2 Duration, Activities, and Deliverables Phase 6 is three weeks long and it includes the preparation and writing of the Action Plan, the finalization of the Solution Report, and its submission in Brightspace. 18 Week 15 This week, you will participate in a workshop with your peers and IB Supervisor during which you will fill out the Action Plan Template and receive feedback from your peers and IB Supervisor. In preparation for this meeting, you should review: ✓ The materials for Phase 6 in Brightspace ✓ The insights from Phase 5. They provide critical points on the next steps for the organization. Deliverable: Action Plan Template Week 16 This week is used for individual work and finalizing the Solution Report. There is no formal meeting planned with your peers and your IB Supervisor. Keep in mind that the IB Supervisor will not read nor provide any feedback on the Solution Report because they are one of the two assessors of your IB Graduation Assignment. Week 17 In the last week of the IB Graduation Assignment, you will submit your complete Solution Report. You must consult the Minimum Submission Requirements and ensure that your report meets these requirements before the submission to avoid your report not being reviewed. 2.6.3 Solution Report Use the information you included in the Action Plan Template to complete Chapter 6: Action Plan in the Solution Report. This is the last chapter of the Solution Report. Please do not underestimate the importance of this chapter, particularly for the organization. The organization needs a high-quality roadmap that outlines its next steps. You should pay close attention to the guidelines provided in the Outline of the Solution Report. 19 3 Outline of the Solution Report This section of the IB Graduation Guide provides an overview of the elements of the Solution Report and an indication of the word count for each section. You are strongly advised to follow this outline to ensure your assignment is complete and follows the right structure. The layout requirements for this report follow the IB Style Guide 2023-24 (see Brightspace). Your Solution Report should look professional with evenly distributed text between the margins. Justified text gives your document clean, crisp edges making it look more polished. Additionally, you should consider a creative design that would make your Solution Report resemble a professional consultancy report. You are strongly advised to thoroughly proofread your work and correct all writing and spelling errors before submission. For instance, you can use the Editor function in MS Word or the unpaid version of Grammarly. When writing the Solution Report, keep in mind that the Assessors and general readers may not be familiar with the topic of your assignment or the organization. It is your responsibility to take this into account and present all the information in a coherent and reader-friendly way. Title Page The title page of the Solution Report should look professional and grab the reader’s attention. It should also include all the information about you and your report as indicated in the IB Style Guide. List of Figures / List of Tables Before you add the Table of Contents (ToC), you may want to consider including a list of all the tables, graphs, figures, and any other visual tools in your report (with page numbers). This allows the reader to quickly access an important figure related to your research. Additionally, remember to caption all the visual tools chronologically and consistently within your report and to refer to them within the text. Table of Contents (ToC) To organize the content of your report in the ToC, you are advised to use numbers and decimals to indicate the main sections and corresponding subsections in the report. These headings and sub-headings should be descriptive of the content they relate to, and they should indicate the scope of the report. Important note about numbering your pages. For any content before the ToC (i.e., List of Figures, etc.) the pages should be numbered with Latin/Roman numbers (i.e., i, ii, iii), and all other pages following the ToC with Arabic numbers (i.e., 1, 2, 3). Chapter 1: Description of the Organization and the Business Issue (~1000 words) 1.1 Description of the Organization (500 words) ▪ Describe the organization where you are conducting your research for the IB Graduation Assignment. The information you provide about the organization must 20 be relevant to the context of the business issue. Please avoid including any information not directly related to the context of the business issue. ▪ If applicable, include supplementary visualizations to support the information in the text (e.g., organogram, graphs with company data, etc.) 1.2 Description of the Business Issue (500 words) ▪ Introduce the business issue you have been tasked to solve for the organization. Your explanation should be aligned with the information you already mapped out in the Business Issue Canvas. In other words, provide a coherent summary of the information from this deliverable. ▪ Emphasize the international aspects of the business issue. Tip: For the sake of clarity, you may separate the content in the sections of this chapter into subsections. Additionally, include the templates you delivered during the supervision process in Phase 1 in the Appendices and refer to them in the text. Chapter 2: Business Issue Analysis (~2500 words) In Phase 2, you prepared relevant mapping tools to identify key stakeholders and plan your data collection to obtain as much information as possible about the business issue. This included preparing a Stakeholder Map and Stakeholder Matrix and gathering information from and about the Users, the Organization, and the Context. For instance, you may have used the Exploratory Interview Template to prepare for interviews, the Desk Research Template for desk research, etc. All the tools that you used to prepare for the gathering of this data should be added in the Appendices and referred to in the text where they are relevant. This also includes the transcripts as output of the conducted interviews. Transcripts are mandatory. You may have also mapped out your findings in one or more of the optional templates, such as the Empathy Map or Context Map. These mapping tools should also be added in the Appendices and referred to in the text where they are relevant. 2.1 Users (~800 words) 2.1.1 Applied research techniques (~300 words) Feel free to decide the structure of this part on your own. For instance, you may decide to dedicate a subsection to each type of research technique that you used and provide the content below. ▪ Specify who the Users are in your research and why. Here, you can refer to the Stakeholder Map where you also identified them. ▪ Introduce the research techniques that you applied to collect the data about the Users (e.g., desk research, semi-structured interviews, and/or observations). ▪ Justify your choices (i.e., why these research techniques were suitable for collecting the information that you needed; what was your goal and how did this research technique help you achieve that goal). ▪ Provide a detailed account of how you applied your chosen research techniques. ▪ As evidence of the applied research techniques, also refer to the templates and mapping tools in the Appendices that you used to prepare for the gathering of this information. 21 2.1.2 Key findings (~500 words) ▪ Report key findings about the Users by elaborating on the knowledge you may have mapped out in the Empathy Map (or another tool). ▪ Support your findings with quotes from the transcripts, references to information from professional and/or academic literature, and/or specific observations, etc. Tip: To structure the Key Findings, you can dedicate a subsection to each key finding. 2.2 Organization (~800 words) Follow the structure of the content about the Users above to report the applied research techniques and key findings for the Organization. ▪ Specify any internal stakeholders you are focusing on as part of the Organization and why. Here, you can refer to the Stakeholder Map where you also identified them. 2.3 Context (~800 words) Follow the structure of the content about the Users above to report the applied research techniques and key findings for the Context. ▪ Specify any external and/or public stakeholders you are focusing on as part of the Context and why. Here, you can refer to the Stakeholder Map where you also identified them. Chapter 3: Problem Definition (~500 words) This chapter in the Solution Report serves as a transition from researching the business issue to researching the solution. It should be evident from this chapter how the knowledge you gathered in Phase 2 led your research to transition from the original (broad) business issue to a specific problem. Here, you can rely on your argumentation presented during the Reflection Point in Week 5 of the supervision process. 3.1 Three Main Insights (~200 words) ▪ Introduce and discuss the three main insights or key findings from Chapter 2: Business Issue Analysis. These insights are necessary as justification for identifying the specific problem and the Problem Definition. 3.2 Problem Definition (~300 words) ▪ Provide the Problem Definition. Keep in mind that you already delivered it as part of the supervision process in Phase 3. The specific problem it represents should be narrow, concise, and solvable. ▪ Explain why you selected this problem to solve further. Your argumentation should be supported by the three main insights and any additional arguments and evidence from your findings in Chapter 2. 22 Chapter 4: Development of the Model Solution (~2000 words) 4.1 Potential Solutions (~700 words) Feel free to decide on your own the structure of this section. For instance, you may decide to dedicate a subsection to each type of approach that you used to research potential solutions and provide the content below. The quality of the information depends heavily on the level of detail and the transparency with which you discuss the process of generating potential solutions. Therefore, you must be as thorough as possible. ▪ Introduce the approaches that you executed to generate potential solutions for the problem you introduced in the previous chapter and describe this process in detail (i.e., what happened during this process?). ▪ Provide the output from your research – a list of potential solutions. In other words, present the various potential solutions that you generated with each approach separately. Each potential solution should be accompanied by a brief description (1-2 sentences). If the output for one of the approaches you executed exists in a visualized form, be sure to include the visualization in the Appendices and refer to it in the text. ▪ Provide the 2x2 Matrix in the text where you entered all the potential solutions and identify the three most viable solutions for the organization based on the effort needed for their implementation and their impact on the organization. Note: Keep in mind that the potential solutions in Phase 4 should be primarily derived from the current professional and/or academic literature followed by another approach: a brainstorming technique with peers or the organization or an interview with an expert in the field. 4.2 Selecting the Most Viable Solution for Validation (~1000 words) In this section, you should provide your analysis of each of the three most viable solutions you determined in the previous section. For this reason, it is best to separate this section into three different subsections, each dedicated to one viable solution. ▪ Analyse each of the three most viable solutions for the organization by assessing the effort needed to implement a particular solution as well as the impact it is expected to have on the organization. ▪ Present the selected solution accompanied by a solid justification of your choice. Here, you should also refer to the input you received from various stakeholders that you discussed the potential solutions with and how they helped you decide to select the most viable solution for validation. 4.3 Model Solution (~300 words) ▪ Present the model solution and describe it in detail. The available options for the format of the model solution are limitless. The only condition here is to choose the format that best fits the selected solution. Note: If your model solution is a video or an audio recording, please include a thumbnail and a working link in this section. You must make sure this is working properly for the assessors to be able to see it and assess it. 23 Chapter 5: Validation of the Model Solution (~3500 words) The content in this chapter and the Appendices will vary slightly depending on the type of data you collected – qualitative or quantitative. In general, it is mandatory to provide: ✓ Evidence of the data collection (in an Appendix), ✓ Evidence of the data analysis of the collected data (in an Appendix) 5.1 Data Collection and Data Analysis (~2000 words) The purpose of this section is to provide a detailed account of the applied data collection methods for the validation of the model solution. You must be transparent about your choices and how you applied each data collection method for the validation of the model solution. If you applied multiple and different research techniques, you may separate this section into subsections, each dedicated to a specific research technique. Depending on the type of research techniques you applied, you need to rely on the Business Research tools filled in in Phase 5 to support the content in this section. While the main goal of this chapter is to show the process and results of the validation of the model solution, it is helpful to set specific (smaller) research goals that validate various aspects of the model solution. This will help you determine more easily the aspects you want to study and provide you with more focus during the data collection and data analysis as well as in reporting the results. 5.1.1 Data collection (~1200 words) Considering that it is mandatory to conduct field research, in this subsection, you should discuss the various elements of the data collection plan you prepared in Phase 5. ▪ Introduce the specific aspects you want to study about the model solution (i.e., the research goals). ▪ Introduce the data collection methods that you applied to collect the data (e.g., desk research, semi-structured interviews, online survey, etc.). ▪ Explain the reasons behind choosing specific data collection methods and how they align with the research goals. For the field research, it is mandatory to discuss the following: ▪ Population and sampling criteria ▪ Sampling method and sample size ▪ Operationalization ▪ Recruitment method ▪ Validity and reliability safeguards For any desk research you may have conducted, discuss the following: ▪ The research topics ▪ The types of sources you consulted 5.1.2 Field research execution (~500 words) This subsection delves into the practical execution of the field research, detailing the step-by- step process you followed when gathering the data. ▪ Describe how the data collection plan you devised was implemented in the field, providing insights into any deviations or adjustments that you made. 24 ▪ Discuss any challenges encountered during the field research and the strategies you employed to overcome them. 5.1.3 Data analysis (~300 words) This section focuses on the analysis of the collected data, aiming to derive meaningful insights and validate the model solution. For qualitative data collected via interviews or focus groups, you conducted a thematic analysis, therefore: ▪ Explain the coding process you used to categorize and analyse qualitative data, and how you identified patterns, themes, and trends within the collected data. For quantitative data collected via (online) survey, you employed statistical tools such as SPSS or Excel to analyse and interpret the numerical findings, therefore: ▪ Detail the steps you took to clean and process the quantitative data for analysis. ▪ Specify the statistical analyses you applied and the reasons for conducting these analyses (e.g., if you produced a correlation, explain why this type of analysis was necessary or how it helped you in your research of specific aspects of the model solution). 5.2 Results (~1200 words) To present the results from your research in a structured way, you can use the different research goals you developed as part of the data collection to display the specific results for various aspects of the model solution. For example, if you created three different research goals you wanted to study about the model solution, then you can also present the results in three different subsections, one for each research goal. In the case of qualitative research, the results must be supported with: ▪ Examples of quotes from the interview transcripts with appropriate references to the Appendices. In the case of quantitative research, the results must be supported with: ▪ Relevant charts, graphs, or tables supporting the quantitative data analysis. Note: All interview and focus group transcripts must be added in the Appendices. All documentation for the data collection and data analysis must also be added in the Appendices. For quantitative research, you must insert the SPSS/Excel file as an Object so that it is downloadable for the Assessors. Alternatively, you can upload it in Brightspace in the same submission folder where you are also submitting the Solution Report. 5.3 Conclusion (~300 words) In the last section of Chapter 5, you should present the outcome of the validation of the model solution. Based on the findings presented in the Results, you should determine whether 1) the model solution effectively solves the problem for the organization; (2) the model solution needs modifications to work better in practice; (3) the model solution requires a complete revision. Keep in mind that all three outcomes are relevant and valuable for the organisation. Whatever 25 the outcome, it must be appropriately justified. Therefore, you should be transparent and provide good argumentation about how you derived it. Chapter 6: Action Plan (~1000 words) You can now suggest a set of actions the organization should take to address the outcome of the proposed solution. Depending on the success of the proposed solution, your Action Plan may detail specific tasks and activities for putting into action the original design of the solution, incorporating adjustments to the proposed solution, or exploring alternative solutions to the problem. To design a comprehensive and feasible Action Plan, you must consider various organizational aspects, such as people (i.e., stakeholders), processes (i.e., implementation steps), and information (i.e., resources and potential risks). The suggested structure below follows the content of the Action Plan Template. You are allowed, however, to deviate from it in the interest of quality and clarity. 6.1 Goal ▪ Present the goal of your Action Plan. The goal should be aligned with the outcome of the validation of the proposed solution. For instance, if you determine it solves the problem for the organization appropriately then the goal of your Action Plan should be related to the first major step of the implementation of the proposed solution. Note: It is important to be mindful of the “size” of the goal you set here. It cannot be too big or too ambitious! A very big goal would have subsequent implications for the rest of the Action Plan leading to broad and vague information. 6.2 Actions ▪ Outline 1-3 specific actions and steps required to achieve the goal stated in the previous section. Make sure the actions are small, attainable and related to your goal. ▪ Provide a detailed description of each action and mention who will be responsible for their execution (i.e., the stakeholders). ▪ Consider the logical sequence of actions and any dependencies. 6.3 Stakeholders ▪ Clearly describe the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the execution of the Action Plan. 6.4 Timeline ▪ Develop a timeline that outlines the start and end dates for each action identified in section 6.2. ▪ If necessary, break down the timeline into manageable phases, specifying milestones and deadlines. ▪ Consider dependencies between actions and adjust the timeline accordingly. 26 6.5 Resources ▪ Identify and list all the necessary resources, including human, financial, and technological to achieve the goal. You can also provide the resources needed per action. ▪ Provide a budget estimate for each resource, supported by relevant sources. 6.6 Potential barriers and Mitigation measures ▪ Identify potential obstacles or challenges that may arise during the execution of the Action Plan. ▪ Develop a plan to mitigate each identified barrier. ▪ Ensure that the mitigation measures are practical and feasible. 6.7 Expected outcome(s) ▪ Clearly define the expected outcomes or results of the Action Plan. ▪ Align the expected outcomes with the overall goal of the Action Plan. Reference List ▪ Provide a comprehensive list of references for all the sources cited in the Solution Report. ▪ Order all the entries in alphabetical order. ▪ Reference all material in the text and the Reference List according to APA Style. Appendices ▪ Every Appendix must be numbered and titled appropriately, for example: “Appendix 3: Transcripts from the Interviews in Phase 2”. ▪ Add all the Appendices in chronological order (i.e., the order in which they appear in the text!). ▪ Add two-way hyperlinks to the Appendices mentioned in the text in such a way that they lead the reader to a specific Appendix without having to scroll up and down through the entire document. 27 4 Submission Process, Minimum Submission Requirements, and AI Tools 4.1 Submission Process for the Solution Report Submission of the Solution Report in Brightspace Your Solution Report must be submitted in the correct submission folder in Brightspace for the first and the second opportunity. The assigned assessors will independently review your Solution Report and note down their observations and questions for the Interview Assessment. Their observations and questions will not be revealed to you, but they are necessary to ensure that both assessors have reviewed your work independently and have come together to calibrate before the Interview Assessment. Their calibrated notes, observations, and questions will be only revealed to you after the Interview Assessment along with the grade for your IB Graduation Assignment. Evaluation Form for Organization Supervisors Besides submitting the Solution Report, you should also upload the completed Evaluation form for Organization Supervisors in the designated folder in Brightspace. Your IB Supervisor will email the Evaluation Form to your Organization Supervisor. However, you can also see it in Brightspace. 4.1.1 First Opportunity and Second Opportunity Deadlines First Opportunity The first opportunity to submit your Solution Report is on June 4, 2025, at 09:00. If your Solution Report meets the Minimum Submission Requirements, you will continue to the Interview Assessment. The Interview Assessments will take place between June 16 – 27, 2025. Second Opportunity The second opportunity to submit your Solution Report depends on the date of your Interview Assessment in the first opportunity. If your Interview Assessment in the first opportunity takes place in the week of June 16, 2025, then you need to submit your Solution Report by July 16, 2025 (09:00). If your Interview Assessment in the first opportunity takes place in the week of June 23, 2025, then you need to submit your Solution Report by July 23, 2025 (09:00). Students who submit their Solution Report in the second opportunity for the first time must submit it by July 16, 2025 (09:00). If your Solution Report meets the Minimum Submission Requirements, you will continue to the Interview Assessment. The Interview Assessments in the second opportunity will take place between August 18 – 29, 2025. 28 4.2 Minimum Submission Requirements Your Solution Report must meet the Minimum Submission Requirements before it is reviewed by the two assessors. The Minimum Submission Requirements serve as an initial quality check that ensures that your Solution Report meets some basic conditions. They suggest the Solution Report is ready to be reviewed. If your Solution Report does not completely meet the Minimum Submission Requirements, you will be informed about this within two days of the date of submission. In other words, your IB Graduation Assignment will not be assessed. No feedback will be provided on the submitted Solution Report beyond the indication that it does not meet the Minimum Submission Requirements. If the Minimum Submission Requirements are not met in the second opportunity, the IB Graduation Assignment will need to be completed in the next starting date with a new topic and company. Therefore, it is essential to follow and complete the checklist below and ensure that your Solution Report can be reviewed by the Assessors: 1. Plagiarism and AI Check in Turnitin ✓ The Turnitin report does not show evidence of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism. ✓ The Turnitin report does not show substantial and unreported use of AI tools. 2. Completeness ✓ All chapters of the Solution Report are included and completed as instructed in the Outline of the Solution Report. This includes all the elements that are characterized as mandatory. 3. Length of the Solution Report ✓ The Solution Report does not exceed 10,500 words (+/- 10%) ✓ The word count excludes the Title page, Table of Contents, List of Figures and/or Tables, Appendices, and Bibliography as well as all Images and Tables included within the text. 4. Application of APA Style ✓ All content that is not common knowledge and has been obtained from a source is appropriately cited using APA Style guidelines (e.g., in-text citations, figures, and Bibliography). (APA Style) ✓ All external sources are properly cited in the text and referenced in the Bibliography. 4.3 Using AI tools in the IB Graduation Assignment To uphold our commitment to your educational excellence, we expect you to submit original work. In the IB Graduation Assignment, Chat GPT or other Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools CAN be used following the RUAS Flowchart for ChatGPT and Assessments. However, the organization in which you are conducting your research may have a strict policy on the use of AI tools and may not allow it for a variety of reasons. This is leading! Please inquire about the organization’s policy on AI as soon as you start working on the IB Graduation Assignment. 29 If the organization where you are conducting your research allows the use of AI tools, you can continue to use AI tools following the RUAS Flowchart for ChatGPT and Assessments. For rules regarding when AI is allowed to be used, please refer to the table below: Conditions for Using AI Tools AI tools, such as ChatGPT, generate content from user input. Their use in formal assessments raises ethical concerns, but they can also enhance the learning process. It is crucial to understand when and how to use such tools. Allowed Not Allowed ✓ Developing ideas x Revise text ✓ Brainstorming partners x Reformulate text x Structure text ✓ Finding sources x Summarize text x Correction of word/sentence RUAS Policy Reference Review the RUAS Flowchart for ChatGPT and Assessments. Use the template below to report the use of AI tools in your assignment responsibly. You are obliged to submit the Appendix below (in Landscape format) if you used an AI tool in the writing of any part of your IB Graduation Assignment. Additionally, you should cite in the text where an AI tool was used as well as in the Bibliography. Reporting the use of AI in the IB Graduation Assignment in compliance with the organization’s and RUAS’s policy Which AI tool Copy and paste the Copy and paste a Describe how you did you use? exact prompt you screenshot of the used the content/ used to obtain content the AI tool information the AI information from provided as a tool provided in the AI tool. response to your your IB Graduation prompt. Assignment. 30 5 Assessment of the IB Graduation Assignment 5.1 Overview of the Assessment of the IB Graduation Assignment The assessment of the IB Graduation Assignment is designed to evaluate to what extent you meet the end-level Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) of the IB programme. These PLOs provide various high-level competencies linked to the outcomes of the research you have conducted towards solving an international business issue. The assessment is conducted by two Assessors: an IB Lecturer (Assessor 1) and your IB Supervisor (Assessor 2). This means that: ✓ Assessor 1 is an IB Lecturer qualified to assess end-level assessments in the IB programme and who has been trained to assess the IB Graduation Assignment. ✓ Assessor 2 is an IB Supervisor who supervises IB Graduation Assignments, is qualified to assess end-level assessments in the IB programme and has also been trained to assess the IB Graduation Assignment. The assessment of the IB Graduation Assignment is a combined testing (CT) consisting of two elements: 1) Solution Report; and 2) Interview Assessment. Solution Report The Solution Report is a written research and advisory report which you complete as a first step in the assessment. It is the outcome of all the research you have conducted during the supervision process. The Solution Report highlights your ability to analyse and critically evaluate the information that is readily available about the business issue and the information that you collected first-hand to make informed decisions throughout the research process. To ensure that you produce a complete and thorough Solution Report, you are strongly advised to follow the guidelines provided in Chapter 4: Outline of the Solution Report in this Guide. The Solution Report is a critical first step without which you cannot proceed further to the Interview Assessment. Before the Solution Report is reviewed by the two assessors, it must meet the Minimum Submission Requirements. All Solution Reports that meet the Minimum Submission Requirements proceed to the Interview Assessment. If your Solution Report does not meet all Minimum Submission Requirements, you will not be able to proceed to the Interview Assessment. Furthermore, your Solution Report will not be reviewed, you will not receive any feedback, and thus, the opportunity in which you submit is automatically unsuccessful. This is why you must ensure that all Minimum Submission Requirements are met in their entirety to avoid any unwanted surprises. The Solution Report will not be assessed separately from the Interview Assessment. Meaning, you will not receive a grade or feedback on the Solution Report after it is submitted. Your Solution Report serves as the foundation for your Interview Assessment. The assessors will read and review the work you have completed and presented in the Solution Report and prepare notes, observations, and questions for the Interview Assessment. These questions will not be shared with you before the Interview Assessment. 31 Interview Assessment The assessment of the IB Graduation Assignment culminates with an Interview Assessment. The Interview Assessment is an extension of the Solution Report during which a verbal assessment takes centre stage. It is an oral interview during which assessors seek further clarification about parts of the Solution Report that may be unclear. The assessors may test your knowledge about the business issue and the field in which it operates, the decisions you have made regarding the directions you chose to take during the research process, the stakeholders involved, any limitations or gaps that may or may not have been made known in the Solution Report, among other topics. This allows them to better understand your justifications for the choices made during your research, and it allows you to show mastery of the research you have conducted. You will only receive feedback and a grade for your IB Graduation Assignment at the end of the Interview Assessment based on the extent to which your Solution Report and your ability to defend your work and answer questions meet the end-level PLOs. All Interview Assessments will take place at the Rotterdam Business School (Kralingse Zoom location) within three weeks from the submission date of the Solution Report. Students whose graduation assignment is located outside of the Netherlands will attend the Interview Assessment online. The Interview Assessment will take approximately 1,5 hours and will be organized as follows: The assessors welcome you and introduce you to the structure of the Interview Assessment (5 min) You present a summary of your Solution Report with an emphasis on the strengths and the limitations of the research you conducted, including your relationships with stakeholders during the graduation period (maximum 10 min!) Verbal assessment ensues during which you answer questions from both assessors (45 min) Assessors deliberate the grade and feedback for your IB Graduation Assignment during which time you will leave the (online) room (15 min) Assessors invite you back to communicate the grade and feedback on your work (10 min) The grade and feedback are entered in Brightspace. The grade is also entered in Osiris (5 min) Grade You are going to receive one grade for your IB Graduation Assignment. This grade will be determined following the Rubric for Evaluating the IB Graduation Assignment and based on mutual agreement between both assessors. This also means that you will receive only one filled-in assessment form that summarizes the feedback from both assessors. In an event, where the assessors disagree on the grade, a third assessor will be involved. If you receive a “Not yet competent” grade, you must use the feedback the assessors provided during the Interview Assessment to repair the Solution Report and submit it in the second opportunity. This will restart the assessment process from the beginning as outlined above. 32 Protocol for solving a disagreement between Assessors who cannot agree on a grade TBD Appeal protocol for students following the assessment of their IB Graduation Assignment It may happen that following the assessment, you have objections related to the assessment procedure of your IB Graduation Assignment. In this case, you have the right to submit an appeal to the Exam Board and start a case following the guidelines provided in the Student Handbook 2024-25. 5.2 Rubric for Evaluating the IB Graduation Assignment The rubric for the IB Graduation Assignment consists of three parts: Part I: First Diamond - Business Issue Analysis and Identification of the Specific Problem (30%) Part II: Second Diamond - Solution Development (30%) Part III: Second Diamond - Validation and Action Plan (40%) Please consult the next chapter to understand better relationship between the PLOs and the rubric criteria. 33 6 Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs) Three of the four programme learning outcomes developed by the National Platform International Business (2023) are assessed at the end level in the IB Graduation Assignment. They are as follows: PLO 1: International Business Opportunities The IB professional defines international business opportunities and recommends possible strategies for the organisation to capitalise on these in a sustainable manner. IB professionals thoroughly investigate the internal and external environment of the organisation on an international scale. They actively look for and apply multiple perspectives and empathic skills to their research, observations, questionings, investigations and analyses, continuously postponing judgment. They collect data regardin

IB Graduation Guide February 2025 PDF

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