Help us launch the network!

[Cyberguy34000]

We're trying to erect a FIRST scouting network database and we need your help to do it. The benefits of a network are many, but it requires a lot of work, and we think that starting this thing this early in the year will give us time to work out the issues involved in the program.

One of the main areas that we need assistance in is knowing how teams do their scouting currently. As every team has many different needs, approaches, and expectations in their scouting, we're trying to make the software flexible enough to support those needs.

If you could leave us some feedback on how your scouting works, please help us out. Even if you aren't on scouting for your team, you probably know a lot more than you think. Just answer a question or two, or if you want to, answer more. Your feedback is critical to make this project a success.

Post away!

What is the main focus of your scouting, is it for strategy? For picking partners in finals? A little of both? Something else entirely?

What information is important for your scouts to collect? Drive train, arm info, etc.

How much set-up time goes into preparation for your team's scouting?

How many people are usually involved in the scouting, and how much time are they expected to put in?

How many teams do you scout at your regional?

When is your scouting usually "done" by? Is it ready on Friday for the first match, or is it only used in finals? Somewhere in between?

What methods do you use for your scouting? Randomly scribbled notes? Fill-in the blank scout sheets? Statistical analysis? Match Records? Something else? Extra feedback here would be very helpful.

How much of your scouting is done on a computer? (Includes those print-offs)


How effective/successful is your scouting?

BTW, we also need a whole bunch of help with other parts of the project, if you can think of it we probably have a place for you PM, AIM, or e-mail me for more information.

Thanks for all your help people!

-Chris