Purpose of Chapter 1
The Introduction chapter sets the stage for the entire application design report. It establishes the problem context, motivates the need for the solution, and prepares the reader to understand the design decisions that follow. It should be engaging, precise, and logically organized, making it clear why the application matters and what it aims to achieve.
Chapter Structure
1.1 Background and Context
What is the broader setting or environment that frames your work?
Content Expectations:
- Brief overview of the domain (e.g., education, cybersecurity, health IT).
- Real-world trends or statistics that highlight the problem space.
- Organizational or user context if applicable (e.g., nonprofit, retail sector).
- Avoid going deep into technical details here—focus on the why, not the how.
Example:
“Remote learning has become a permanent part of higher education, yet student engagement remains a persistent challenge. Surveys from 2022 indicate that 65% of students in asynchronous courses report feeling disconnected from course content and peers.”
1.2 Problem Statement
What specific challenge are you solving with your application?
Content Expectations:
- A concise, clear articulation of the core problem or inefficiency.
- Link to user pain points or system limitations.
- Make it narrow enough to be solvable, but broad enough to be meaningful.
Tip: One strong paragraph or a short list of bullets suffices.
1.3 Objectives of the Application
What does your application aim to achieve?
Content Expectations:
- List 3–5 measurable objectives.
- Each should align clearly with the problem statement.
- Prefer action verbs: automate, simplify, streamline, enhance, visualize.
Example:
- To develop a web application that allows users to securely upload and manage personal health records.
- To ensure that the system includes end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication.
- To design a user interface that supports accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.1).
1.4 Scope of the Project
What will be included, and what will be excluded from the application?
Content Expectations:
- Define functional boundaries (e.g., this version includes admin dashboard but not reporting).
- Identify technical boundaries (e.g., mobile compatibility is out of scope).
- Helps manage expectations and focus design discussions.
Format Tip: Use a table format:
| In-Scope Features | Out-of-Scope Features |
|---|---|
| User Registration | Social Media Integration |
| Data Encryption | Cross-Platform Mobile App |
1.5 Research or Design Questions
(Optional – but highly encouraged for academic rigor)
What key questions does your design attempt to explore or answer?
Content Expectations:
- Include 1–3 research/design inquiry questions.
- Useful when applying design thinking or evaluating usability.
Examples:
- How does a visual dashboard affect decision-making time in resource-constrained environments?
- What impact does gamification have on task completion rates among first-time users?
1.6 Significance of the Project
Why is your work important—academically, socially, or technically?
Content Expectations:
- Address one or more of the following:
- Solves a current industry/organizational challenge.
- Fills a technology gap or process inefficiency.
- Benefits a user group (e.g., students, healthcare providers).
- Demonstrates the application of emerging technology.
- Mention how the application might influence future work or be extended.
1.7 Report Organization
What does the rest of the report look like?
Content Expectations:
- One paragraph overview of what each chapter will cover.
- Helps orient readers who want to jump to specific sections.
Example:
“Chapter 2 reviews current tools and design literature. Chapter 3 details the system’s requirements and design. Chapter 4 presents implementation specifics. Chapter 5 covers testing and evaluation. Chapter 6 discusses limitations, findings, and future work.”
Checklist for Chapter 1 Completion
| Criterion | Complete? (✓) |
|---|---|
| Clear articulation of the problem | |
| Measurable and aligned objectives | |
| Defined project scope (in/out) | |
| Background connects to technical need | |
| Reader is guided toward next chapter |
Suggested Word Count: 1200–1600 words
- Keep it focused and accessible.
- Use figures or diagrams if they support understanding (e.g., Problem Space Map).