Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

We had the opportunity to present this to teams this past Saturday. This presentation goes over everything our strategy department does during the preseason, build season, regionals and post season. Each slide lists the general topics and ideas but doesn't go into the specific information that we talked about Saturday. So feel free to post any questions, ideas, comments, or concerns here. The link i have shared should be available to everyone but if you run across any problems make sure to let me know. Enjoy!
https://docs.google.com/presentation...it?usp=sharing

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

Very cool!
Some Questions:
Do you guys have a paper back up for your app?
How is the data compiled from the app? Does it go to an Excel sheet?

Thanks!

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

Our app has an auto compile button added just recently. It requires an internet connection to work, but its a great convenience. Every Set of data is stored in an Excel spreadsheet, and before we got the compile button, I had to go into the files and place every point of data into one large Excel Sheet.

As far as a paper backup, we do not currently have one. However, I can very easily make a sheet, and actually use the idea of paper to keep people on track with the app.

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

Our team has made the choice to avoid pit scouting at all costs. This is mainly based on the fact that most teams talk up their capabilities, and then those of us in charge of strategy are left with sorting through the facts and opinions. So, all of our energy is aimed towards compiling data on the field. This works for us, but I don't doubt that pit scouting has its advantages, however, for a small team, like my own, distribution of work based on priorities is essential.

On a separate note, I am very impressed with having an app pre-made for compiling data at competition. I have utilized the capabilities of google sheets for data compilation and computation, so I envy a team that can go to such lengths. I've been wondering for some time if there is a way to hardwire several devices together to overcome the wifi-barrier. Being able to figure out the data instantly over more than one laptop would be very helpful to our scouting program.

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

We deal with the same problem of skewed data, but to just ditch the pit scouting overall is not a good idea. The pit scouting is the only thing that will give you an idea for your match strategy. If you notice something wrong with how they preform correlating with what they said, make a note of that immediately. But yes, quantitative data is what we use as the back bone to our decisions on Saturday Morning. It would be awful to not have that at our finger tips.

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

For us, the middle step of finding other teams strategies is taken care of by our field scouts who take notes on the strategies that certain teams use on the field, and our drive team who simply ask the other teams what they prefer to do before each match. Teams change their strategy far too often, especially at lower end competitions. So, what they feel comfortable with in the morning isn't always what they are going to feel comfortable with in the afternoon. To me, it just doesn't seem worth it. In the past, we have never actually needed any pit scouting information that our drivers couldn't figure out themselves. I totally agree that if you have the people, it can't help, but for all the small teams out there, field stats come first. However, I will admit that nothing is nicer for a team captain than pictures of the robots by their stats. Its a lot easier then remembering names.

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

How do you develop your Strategy and then agree on what to build?

Does the team vote, build mockups to prove a point, use research, estimate design and build effort for each option or something else?

How long does it typically take your team to decide on a game strategy and what robot functions/components to build?

Dave

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

I personally am not a very big fan of pit scouting. I only really advocate pit scouting to find out information that cannot be observed on the field. For example, this year, we asked a few teams if they would be willing to play defense or attach a blocker in elims. Many teams (like 1257, for example), don't play defense in quals but are more than willing to do so in playoffs. Others are offended by the idea and some are downright unwilling to do it.

If there is an important piece of information you cannot observe on the field that could influence your tactical or picking decisions, it makes (at least) minimal pit scouting worth it, in my opinion.

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

Every kickoff we first make sure everyone reads and understands as much as they can about the game manual (especially the strategy department) fabrication usually goes over the KOP while strat works on the rules, then we split the whole team into small groups that brainstorm ideas about strategy and robot design. After a while of that the whole team gets together and the groups present their ideas to everyone. We then discuss everything as a team and choose a general game strategy and robot design if we can. It's usually pretty late at this point and most of the team goes home. The remaining people consist of the more experienced fabrication and strategy members, who discuss more specific stuff until we either get tired of kicked out of whoever's house we are at. It's a pretty long day, (16-17hrs sometimes) but we usually go into Sunday knowing generally what we want to build.

We like to make sure the whole team gets input on robot ideas, but of course fab gets the final say on the specifics.

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

What is the app that you are using?? Did you develop the app yourself and if so what software did you use?? Was the app approved to be distributed so it can be downloaded??

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

The app we use was coded by our Strategy Mentor. He is going to make it available on the Microsoft Store when he is finished with his updates on it. Sadly, it won't be compatible with iOS software and only be available to devices running Windows 8 and 10.

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

What do you mean by "strategy beside pit crew?"

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

By Strategy beside Pit Crew, we mean to have strategy department by the side of pit crew whenever possible. More often than not, though, there won't be enough space for strategy.

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

How many Strategy department members do you keep around for match planning? On 610, I did match planning full-time at comp, while my division members came down in between scouting rotations (we had a perfect 30-man rotation, so we couldn't assign another person full-time).

Also, how do you keep Strategy members side-field during Championship Subdivisions/Einstein? We had trouble keeping members down there and I'd love to hear your insight/experiences.

Re: Team 2512 Strategy Presentation
 

Any chance you could send me a message when it becomes available? This is my first season with the official "strategy mentor" title, so it would be greatly appreciated.