Design Period, THEN Build Period

[dtengineering]

While this was inspired by the recent survey discussed in the E-mail blast dealing with the KoP, I think this concept is sufficiently different from the discussion in that thread to warrant its own thread.

It looks like FIRST is considering some changes to the KoP and how it is delivered. Although I like the current system, I'm not averse to change, either. One change that I would like to try in particular is:

1) Announce the game rules and release a VIRTUAL KoP at the beginning of December.

2) Teams are allowed to strategize, design and order parts in December, but may not build anything that will appear on their robot during this period.

3) The physical KoP arrives in January, upon whence a six week build period shall commence.

I suggest that this would provide the following advantages:

a) A greater emphasis on design, which means:
Students make greater use of Inventor
There is more time to discuss the math and physics of gearing, arms and motors with students.
Teams start building with a more complete set of plans resulting in less waste, less stress (okay... I dream), and hopefully better robots

b) Delays in shipping (it is expensive to ship overnight from USA to Canada... I can't imagine trying to get stuff to Brazil in a hurry) and back orders are less problematic, and shipping costs should be lower.

c) there is more time to sort out game details on the Q&A forum before teams commit to a strategy in hardware... it's much easier to rebuild your virtual robot when your strategy is outlawed...

d) without extending the "build" period, teams will effectively gain an extra week to ten days, as they should be starting with a fairly complete set of plans. This should result in more testing time, and more impressive robots and driving, particularly at first weekend regionals.

Of course there are drawbacks, too:

i) People are often busy in December for some reason

ii) It will be difficult to resist the urge to "just build a little prototype" part in December and end up putting it on the robot...

iii) It lengthens "robot season"... which while not necessarily a bad thing for me, it will probably require more volunteer hours over all


I'd be interested in what other people think... would you like to have a "design" period prior to the six-week build period?

Jason