CO-PO mapping is the process of correlating each Course Outcome (CO) of a subject to the Programme Outcomes (PO) and Programme-Specific Outcomes (PSO) defined by the National Board of Accreditation. Each mapping is scored on a 1-3 scale: 1 = slight correlation, 2 = moderate correlation, 3 = strong correlation. The resulting CO-PO matrix is a core deliverable in the NBA SAR (Annexure 3.1 under GAPC v4.0).
Online CO-PO matrix builder
Enter your Course Outcomes below, then set mapping strengths against each PO. Export to CSV when done.
Step 1 — Enter your Course Outcomes (CO1 to CO6)
Use Bloom's Taxonomy action verbs (Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyse, Evaluate, Create). The verb signals the cognitive level.
Step 2 — Set mapping strength (1, 2, 3, or blank) against each PO
Click each dropdown to select mapping strength. Leave blank if no correlation.
| CO | PO1 | PO2 | PO3 | PO4 | PO5 | PO6 | PO7 | PO8 | PO9 | PO10 | PO11 | PSO1 | PSO2 |
|---|
Bloom's Taxonomy — which level maps to which PO?
Use this as a guide for mapping strength decisions.
L1 Remember
Recall facts, definitions, procedures.
L2 Understand
Explain concepts in own words; summarize.
L3 Apply
Use procedures to solve routine problems.
L4 Analyse
Break down and examine; identify relationships.
L5 Evaluate
Judge against criteria; defend positions.
L6 Create
Produce new work; design solutions.
Rule of thumb: If CO Bloom level matches PO's expected cognitive demand, mapping strength is likely 3. If CO is 1-2 levels below PO demand, mapping is 2. If CO is 3+ levels below PO demand, mapping is 1 or blank. For example, a "Remember"-level CO maps weakly (1) to PO3 (Design), which demands "Create"-level thinking.
Why use an online mapping tool?
Manual mapping in Excel is error-prone and hard to audit. Online tools solve both problems.
⚡Works in browser
- No software install, no account needed
- Works on laptop, tablet, phone
- Your data stays in your browser session
- Export when you're ready
📐GAPC v4.0 ready
- 11 POs under Washington Accord 2021
- Sustainability/ethics embedded in PO3/PO4
- Mandatory for Tier-I from 1 January 2025
- SAR Annexure 3.1 compatible format
🎯Bloom's guidance
- Built-in 6-level taxonomy reference
- Helps decide mapping strength (1, 2, 3)
- Reduces inconsistency across faculty
- Defensible to DVV auditors
📤CSV export
- Download your matrix as CSV
- Import into Excel for further editing
- Paste directly into SAR document
- Includes CO statements and mappings
Frequently asked questions
What is CO-PO mapping in NBA accreditation?
CO-PO mapping is the process of correlating each Course Outcome (CO) of a subject to the Programme Outcomes (PO) and Programme-Specific Outcomes (PSO) defined by NBA. Each mapping is scored on a 1-3 scale where 1 is slight correlation, 2 is moderate correlation, and 3 is strong correlation. A blank cell means no correlation. The result is a CO-PO matrix that becomes part of the NBA SAR submission.
Is the online CO-PO mapping tool really free?
Yes. The online mapping matrix builder is free for individual faculty use. You can build the CO-PO-PSO matrix for a single course, export it to CSV, and use the output in your NBA SAR. For institution-wide use with multi-user access, audit trail, and AI-suggested mappings at scale, Edhitch offers an enterprise platform as a paid product.
How do I decide the mapping strength (1, 2, or 3)?
Mapping strength is determined by matching the Bloom's Taxonomy level of the CO with the cognitive level the PO demands. If the CO is at Remember/Understand level and the PO demands Analyse/Evaluate/Create, mapping is 1 (slight). If both are at similar cognitive levels with content overlap, mapping is 2 (moderate). If the CO directly addresses the PO with matching cognitive rigor, mapping is 3 (strong). Always document the justification for audit defense.
What is CO-PSO mapping and is it different from CO-PO?
CO-PSO mapping correlates Course Outcomes with Programme-Specific Outcomes. PSOs are discipline-specific outcomes (typically 2-3 per programme) that reflect what graduates of that specific branch should be able to do, beyond the general POs. A computer science programme might have PSOs around software design, database systems, and AI. CO-PSO mapping follows the same 1-3 scale as CO-PO mapping.
How many POs does NBA define under GAPC v4.0?
NBA's GAPC v4.0 framework (mandatory for Tier-I institutions from 1 January 2025) defines 11 Programme Outcomes for engineering programmes, reduced from the previous 12. Sustainability (previously PO7) and ethics (previously PO8) are now integrated into PO3 (Design/Development of Solutions) and PO4 (Conduct Investigations). The framework aligns to the Washington Accord 2021 Knowledge Profile.
What's the difference between CO-PO mapping and CO-PO attainment?
CO-PO mapping defines the intent — how strongly each CO is designed to address each PO. It's set at the start of a semester and stays fixed. CO-PO attainment measures the result — how well students actually achieved each CO, based on exam and survey data. Mapping is qualitative design; attainment is quantitative measurement.
For official framework documents, visit the National Board of Accreditation, the Washington Accord (international engineering accreditation benchmark), or AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education).
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