January 2024 term · Design Thinking for Data-Driven App Development · BSMS4002

Design Thinking for Data-Driven App Development End Term: 28 April 2024 (January 2024 term)

The IIT Madras BS Design Thinking for Data-Driven App Development (Design Thinking) End Term paper sat on 28 Apr 2024, in the January 2024 term: 26 questions for 40 marks in 180 minutes. Every question is below with its answer. Take it as a timed mock test to be marked, or read it through first.

Questions: 26
Marks: 40
Duration: 180 min
MCQ: 26

Take as mock test Practise with answers

Updated 25 Sept 2026

Official paper: IIT M DEGREE AN EXAM QDB3 28 Apr 2024 · No negative marking.

Question 1

+15 marksOne correct option

Section A
CHOOSE ONE AND ANSWER THE QUESTION ON THE PROVIDED SHEETS ONLY.
I. Read the provided problem statement and assume your customer is in front of you. Begin by empathizing, developing a persona, and mapping out the user journey to identify problems. Analyze by determining the root cause and reasons for addressing the issues. Progress to the Solve phase by fleshing out ideas and creating low-fi wireframes/sketches on paper. Finally, demonstrate how your ideas address the problem and propose improvements.
Instructions:
Step 0: Ensure that you write the QUESTION NUMBER clearly on the answer sheet.
Step 1: Allocate one or two pages to personas, journey maps, and a list of problems.
Step 2: Dedicate one page to identifying the root cause.
Step 3: Allocate one page to identify desired results and summarize 2 to 3 'problem questions' to solve.
Step 4: List the ideas in 50 words (not exceeding 5 sentences/ 5 ideas), in one page.
Step 5: Sketch 2-3 wireframes of the product/service/app you will be developing, in one page. Step 6: Summarize how you'll iterate and what you’ll do for customers in the future to improve or expand upon the solution, in one page.
You may use the given sheets in portrait or landscape mode. Do not exceed more than 8 pages to answer the question.
CHOOSE AND ATTEMPT ONLY ONE QUESTION. Write the question number clearly on the answer sheet.
1. A. Many small business owners face difficulties in managing inventory, sales, customer relations, and marketing, often due to limited resources and expertise. How can you design a tool or service that streamlines these aspects of small business management, improving efficiency and profitability?
OR
1. B.
Design: A Setting View and Single Detail View
For: A Financial Goal Tracking App
To Help: Early Adopters
Please read the following and enable it:

A
I've selected only one question from Section A and answered it on the provided answer sheets.
B
Not Applicable.

Show answer

Correct answer

A
I've selected only one question from Section A and answered it on the provided answer sheets.

Question 1 on its own page

Question 2

+1 markOne correct option

What is a key characteristic of a project?

A
Ongoing activity without an end date
B
Unique with a definite start and end
C
Always technology-based
D
Solely focused on product creation

Show answer

Correct answer

B
Unique with a definite start and end

Question 2 on its own page

Question 3

+1 markOne correct option

During which phase are the project's objectives and deliverables defined?

A
Closing phase
B
Executing phase
C
Initiating phase
D
Planning phase

Show answer

Correct answer

C
Initiating phase

Question 3 on its own page

Question 4

+1 markOne correct option

Prof. Bala has linked the four phases of Design Thinking with which ancient philosophy?

A
Four Laws of Thermodynamics
B
Four Laws of Creativity
C
Four Noble Truths
D
Four Thinking Hats

Show answer

Correct answer

C
Four Noble Truths

Question 4 on its own page

Question 5

+1 markOne correct option

What is the main purpose of conducting competitor research in app marketing?

A
To replicate successful strategies used by competitors
B
To identify and capitalize on competitors' weaknesses
C
To understand competitors' products and differentiate one's app
D
To form partnerships with competing app developers

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Correct answer

C
To understand competitors' products and differentiate one's app

Question 5 on its own page

Question 6

+1 markOne correct option

Consider a scenario where a travel app partners with micro-influencers who specialize in travel content. What is the most likely marketing outcome of this strategy?

A
Increased app visibility and downloads from the travel community
B
Reduction in the overall development cost of the app
C
Immediate increase in the app's revenue through direct sales
D
Development of new travel features based on influencer feedback

Show answer

Correct answer

A
Increased app visibility and downloads from the travel community

Question 6 on its own page

Question 7

+1 markOne correct option

How does 'consistency in UX design' benefit the user experience?

A
By ensuring a uniform and predictable interaction pattern.
B
By frequently changing user interfaces to keep users alert.
C
By providing inconsistent responses to user actions.
D
By avoiding any recognizable patterns in the design.

Show answer

Correct answer

A
By ensuring a uniform and predictable interaction pattern.

Question 7 on its own page

Question 8

+1 markOne correct option

When a vertical prototype is developed, what aspect of the product is primarily focused on and enhanced?

A
The aesthetic appearance and visual design of the entire product.
B
The marketing and business strategy related to the product.
C
The environmental and social impact of the product.
D
A specific, crucial feature of the application, including backend integration and data flow.

Show answer

Correct answer

D
A specific, crucial feature of the application, including backend integration and data flow.

Question 8 on its own page

Question 9

+1 markOne correct option

In website development, how does the choice of platform (like Wix or Google Sites) impact the development process?

A
It mandates the integration of specific third-party services.
B
It guarantees the website’s visibility on social media platforms.
C
It determines the website's ranking on search engines.
D
It influences the ease of use, available features, and level of customization.

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Correct answer

D
It influences the ease of use, available features, and level of customization.

Question 9 on its own page

Question 10

+1 markOne correct option

How does analyzing conflicts in various narratives, like movies or novels, help in enhancing problem-solving skills?

A
By providing an exact blueprint for solving similar real-life conflicts.
B
By encouraging creative thinking and application of theoretical models to diverse situations.
C
By shifting focus away from actual problems to fictional ones.
D
By suggesting that all conflicts have the same resolution.

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Correct answer

B
By encouraging creative thinking and application of theoretical models to diverse situations.

Question 10 on its own page

Question 11

+1 markOne correct option

What is the next step after creating the customer journey map?

A
Generating a list of problems
B
Conducting surveys and questionnaires
C
Developing a marketing strategy
D
Analyzing competitor data

Show answer

Correct answer

A
Generating a list of problems

Question 11 on its own pageAlso asked in Quiz 2 3 Dec 2023

Question 12

+1 markOne correct option

What is the primary objective of observing users interacting with a new or updated app in the Empathize phase?

A
To directly instruct users on how to use the app.
B
To observe, without influence, how users naturally interact with and respond to the app.
C
To convince users to provide only positive feedback.
D
To focus on promoting the app rather than understanding user exper

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Correct answer

B
To observe, without influence, how users naturally interact with and respond to the app.

Question 12 on its own page

Question 13

+1 markOne correct option

How does the concept of 'light bulb moments' in relation to innovation reflect a broader understanding of the innovation process?

A
It shows that innovation is solely about sudden, unexpected insights without the need for further development.
B
It indicates that innovation is a static event rather than a dynamic process.
C
It symbolizes the moment of inspiration that initiates a longer journey of developing and integrating an invention into practical use.
D
It suggests that all innovations are as straightforward and simple as a light bulb.

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Correct answer

C
It symbolizes the moment of inspiration that initiates a longer journey of developing and integrating an invention into practical use.

Question 13 on its own page

Question 14

+1 markOne correct option

How does 'inspired innovation' typically differ from 'planned innovation' in terms of its genesis?

A
Inspired innovation arises mainly from methodical research and development.
B
It emerges spontaneously, often fueled by a moment of clarity or insight.
C
It is always the result of a structured, predictable process.
D
It requires extensive market analysis before inception.

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Correct answer

B
It emerges spontaneously, often fueled by a moment of clarity or insight.

Question 14 on its own page

Question 15

+1 markOne correct option

State whether the following statement is True or False:
“The 5 Whys method is a problem-solving tool originating from the “Yamaha Production System.”

A
TRUE
B
FALSE

Show answer

Correct answer

B
FALSE

Question 15 on its own page

Question 16

+1 markOne correct option

When assessing the effectiveness of prototype modifications in the Empathize phase, what key aspect should be the focus?

A
The extent to which the app's aesthetics have been enhanced.
B
Solely the technical improvements made in the app, independent of user experience.
C
The number of new features added to the prototype.
D
How the changes have influenced user behaviour, satisfaction, and the overall app experience.

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Correct answer

D
How the changes have influenced user behaviour, satisfaction, and the overall app experience.

Question 16 on its own page

Question 17

+1 markOne correct option

Consider a development team revisiting their customer journey map based on modifications made in the app's second prototype. What should be their primary focus in this reevaluation?

A
To ensure the journey map aligns perfectly with the team's initial assumptions and expectations.
B
To critically analyze how changes in the prototype may have altered key aspects of the user journey and experience.
C
To make the journey map more complex to match the evolved prototype.
D
To simplify the journey map, remove any elements that do not directly relate to the new features.

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Correct answer

B
To critically analyze how changes in the prototype may have altered key aspects of the user journey and experience.

Question 17 on its own page

Question 18

+1 markOne correct option

In product design, applying 'equipotentiality' might mean:

A
Creating a product that adapts its performance to varying environmental conditions.
B
Designing the product to perform optimally only under ideal conditions.
C
Ignoring environmental factors in the design process.
D
Focusing on enhancing a single performance aspect.

Show answer

Correct answer

A
Creating a product that adapts its performance to varying environmental conditions.

Question 18 on its own page

Question 19

+1 markOne correct option

In the third iteration of the Analyze phase for app development, what is the primary focus when observing user interactions?

A
To validate the developers' initial assumptions without considering new user feedback.
B
To focus exclusively on the most positive aspects of user feedback, ignoring any negative aspects.
C
To identify subtle behavioural patterns and underlying reasons for user actions that were not apparent in earlier iterations.
D
To implement changes based on the latest technology trends, irrespective of user feedback.

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Correct answer

C
To identify subtle behavioural patterns and underlying reasons for user actions that were not apparent in earlier iterations.

Question 19 on its own page

Question 20

+1 markOne correct option

When applying 'silent brainstorming' in the Solve phase, what is a crucial consideration for a team working on a project?

A
To ensure a wide range of ideas, encouraging diversity of thought without immediate judgment or discussion.
B
To prioritize ideas that align closely with the team members' personal preferences.
C
To focus solely on ideas that guarantee immediate implementation and success.
D
To disregard unconventional or seemingly impractical ideas in favor of more traditional solutions.

Show answer

Correct answer

A
To ensure a wide range of ideas, encouraging diversity of thought without immediate judgment or discussion.

Question 20 on its own page

Question 21

+1 markOne correct option

Considering a mobile app with a diverse user base, how should push notifications be optimized for increased engagement and retention?

A
By sending the same generic notifications to all users to maintain consistency.
B
By limiting the frequency of notifications to avoid overwhelming users.
C
By focusing solely on promotional content in notifications.
D
Through personalized notifications based on user segmentation

Show answer

Correct answer

D
Through personalized notifications based on user segmentation

Question 21 on its own page

Question 22

+1 markOne correct option

In the context of innovation, what is the significance of 'business viability'?

A
Ensuring the invention only serves the inventor's interests.
B
Making sure the invention is economically sustainable and offers value over time.
C
Focusing solely on the profitability of the invention.
D
Overlooking customer needs in favour of business profits.

Show answer

Correct answer

B
Making sure the invention is economically sustainable and offers value over time.

Question 22 on its own page

Question 23

+1 markOne correct option

In intrapreneurship, why is it important to set criteria for idea selection that align with the company's existing competencies?

A
To ensure the company ventures into completely unrelated business areas.
B
To discourage employees from contributing ideas.
C
To simplify the process by accepting all submitted ideas.
D
To focus on ideas that leverage the company's strengths and resources.

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Correct answer

D
To focus on ideas that leverage the company's strengths and resources.

Question 23 on its own page

Question 24

+1 markOne correct option

An app is nearing its launch with several key features targeted at improving user engagement. What should be the primary focus at this stage?

A
Rigorously testing and refining customer-facing features to enhance user experience and engagement.
B
Finalizing backend infrastructure while assuming front-end elements are user- ready.
C
Overlooking minor bugs in user-facing features to meet the launch deadline.
D
Focusing on additional, untested features to make the app more appealing at launch.

Show answer

Correct answer

A
Rigorously testing and refining customer-facing features to enhance user experience and engagement.

Question 24 on its own page

Question 25

+1 markOne correct option

Faced with the challenge of designing environmentally sustainable products that also meet business goals, what strategy should a company adopt to address this design paradox?

A
To prioritize environmental sustainability at the cost of business profitability.
B
To focus solely on maximizing business profits, disregarding environmental impacts.
C
To alternate focus between sustainability and profitability based on market trends.
D
To develop products with a balance between environmental sustainability and business viability, even if it means slower market growth.

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Correct answer

D
To develop products with a balance between environmental sustainability and business viability, even if it means slower market growth.

Question 25 on its own page

Question 26

+1 markOne correct option

Which of the following are considered features of empathy maps?
1. It is used to create a shared understanding of user needs.
2. It aids in decision making.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below

A
1 only
B
2 only
C
Both 1 and 2
D
Neither 1 nor 2

Show answer

Correct answer

C
Both 1 and 2

Question 26 on its own page