Indian Institute of Technology Madras
BS Degree Programme · Examination & Study Paper
Design Thinking for Data-Driven App Development
End Term · 31 Aug 2025 (Forenoon)
Examination Instructions & Guidelines
- Solve on notebook/paper first before checking solutions.
- MCQ: Exactly 1 option is correct. Negative marking applies.
- Scientific calculator allowed for all calculations.
- Official answer key is sealed at the end of this sheet.
- Q1MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
In Agile, what does the principle “working software over comprehensive documentation” imply? 1. Prioritize functional product 2. Documentation is not needed at all 3. Deliver incremental value quickly 4. Focus more on code than communication Select the correct answer from the options below:
- A1, 2, and 3 only
- B1 and 3 only
- C2, 3, and 4 only
- D1, 3, and 4 only
- Q2MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
In Design Thinking, prototyping is important because it helps to: 1. Test assumptions quickly 2. Gather user feedback early 3. Avoid making any design errors 4. Encourage iterative improvement Select the correct answer from the options below:
- A1, 2, and 3 only
- B2, 3, and 4 only
- C1, 2, and 4 only
- D1, 3, and 4 only
- Q3MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Which of the following are stages in the Double Diamond model of design? 1. Discover 2. Define 3. Develop 4. Deliver 5. Draw 6. Decide Select the correct answer from the options below:
- A1, 2, 3, and 5 only
- B2, 3, 4, and 6 only
- C1, 2, 3, and 4 only
- D1, 4, 5, and 6 only
- Q4MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option

- A1–iii, 2–ii, 3–i
- B1–i, 2–iii, 3–ii
- C1–ii, 2–i, 3–iii
- D1–iii, 2–i, 3–ii
- Q5MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
According to Kahneman’s Peak-End Rule, which aspect(s) of an interaction primarily shape a person’s long-term memory of it?
- AThe beginning of the interaction and the end of the interaction
- BThe duration of the interaction and the end of the interaction
- CThe experience when disengaged
- DThe most intense moment and the end of the interaction
- Q6MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Who developed the TRIZ methodology (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving)?
- AEdward de Bono
- BGenrich Altshuller
- CHerbert Simon
- DDon Norman
- Q7MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
State whether the following statement is True or False: “A modified customer journey map includes emotional highs and lows, pain points, and opportunities identified during the Test phase in addition to the standard steps of the journey.”
- ATrue
- BFalse
- Q8MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Which of the following could possibly be considered examples or concepts of intrapreneurship and intrapreneurial development? 1. Google’s “20% time” initiative, where some employees devote 20 percent of their time to side projects. 2. Facebook’s “Like” button developed during the company's hackathon. 3. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos developed by a Frito-Lay janitor who pitched the idea to executives.
- AOnly 1
- BOnly 2
- COnly 3
- DAll of these
- Q9MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
As per Don Norman’s Law of Product Development, product launches are always accompanied by ______ and ______.
- ADeadlines; marketing campaigns
- BSchedules; budgets
- CPrototypes; customer reviews
- DDesigns; test reports
- Q10MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
When testing a prototype, which of the following practices align with effective user testing principles? 1. Select participants who closely match the target population. 2. Test prototypes in conditions that mimic real-world use as closely as possible. 3. Ensure that prototypes are tested individually always, and never in pairs, to capture unbiased user behavior. How many of the above statements are correct?
- AOnly 1
- BOnly 2
- CAll 1, 2, 3
- DNone of these
- Q11MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
In the context of digital marketing, what is the primary purpose of a push notification?
- ATo boost an app’s visibility or ranking in app stores
- BTo deliver real-time updates or reminders directly to a user’s device
- CTo measure the conversion rate of an ad campaign
- DTo track user behavior directly from a user’s device
- Q12MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
State whether the following statement is true or false “In UX design, while simplicity aims to reduce complexity, minimalism is about reducing the elements to a strict minimum.”
- ATrue
- BFalse
Read the passage below, then answer Q13–Q15

Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q13MCQ1 Mark·Choose one optionIn a productivity app, the search bar not only finds documents but also allows users to send payments, schedule meetings, and request support from the same interface. This eliminates the need for multiple separate features. Which TRIZ principle does this illustrate?
- ASegmentation
- BUniversality
- CPrior action
- DNested doll
- Q14MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option

- ATaking Out
- BUniversality
- CNested Dolls
- DPrior Action
- Q15MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
To improve the comfort of e-readers like Kindle, designers added a lightweight cover with a built- in hand strap, allowing users to hold the device easily without feeling its weight during long reading sessions.
Which TRIZ principle does this design improvement illustrate?- AAnti-weight
- BCopying
- CSegmentation
- DMechanics substitution
- Q16MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
An UX researcher designs a new software tool at home on their personal laptop, outside office hours. However, the concept for the tool emerged during a brainstorming session at work, while they were under contract with the company. In this case, who is legally the inventor, and who is most likely to own the IP rights?
- AThe company is the inventor and retains ownership
- BThe researcher is the inventor; the company still owns the IP
- CThe researcher is automatically both inventor and owner
- DThe company is the inventor, while the researcher owns the IP
- Q17MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Which of the following statements correctly describe Intellectual Property (IP)? 1. Copyright covers creative expressions such as books, art, or music but not raw ideas. 2. Patents are granted even when the invention is not novel or is obvious. 3. Trade secrets require public disclosure to remain valid. 4. Trademarks safeguard distinctive elements of a brand, like its name or logo. Select the correct answer from the options below:
- A1, 3, and 4 only
- B1 and 4 only
- C1, 2, and 4 only
- D2, 3, and 4 only
- Q18MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
While assessing a fitness-tracking app, a design team listed these user-related observations: 1. Feelings and emotions users experienced during navigation. 2. Trust and beliefs about the app’s reliability. 3. Impressions of the app’s usability and interface design. 4. Bodily or mental responses while using it (e.g., fatigue, motivation). 5. Patterns of behaviour in app usage (e.g., frequency, feature avoidance). Which of these typically fall under User Experience (UX)?
- A1, 2, 3, 4 only
- B2, 3, 4, 5 only
- C1, 3, 4, 5 only
- D1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Q19MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
In the PRESENT method of effective communication discussed in the Design Thinking for Data- Driven App Development course, two simple story structures were introduced. The first structure is: Start, Middle, and End. What is the second structure?
- AAnalyze, Solve & Test, and Present
- BSituation, Action/Solution, and Result
- CContext, Conflict/Challenge, and Solution
- DProblem, Ideation, and Prototype/ Present
- Q20MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Which of the following could the course team of Design Thinking for Data-Driven App Development do to make the upcoming term even more legendary? (Hint: Our team wants to give you 1 mark as a token of thanks for being awesome. All statements are correct.) [Check ‘All’ as answer] 1. Send each team free pizza during their late-night GP1, GP2, GP3 marathons. 2. Invite Elon Musk (or at least his Twitter bot) to the final presentations. 3. Add a “Best Meme Prototype” award alongside “Best App Idea.” 4. Give participants a lifetime supply of sticky notes so they never run out during brainstorming. Select the correct answer from the options below:
- AOnly 1
- BOnly 2
- COnly 3
- DAll.