What makes a "Powerhouse"?

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by pandamonium

powerhouse teams seem to have the robot complete between 1 and 2 weeks early, to allow room for programing, autonomous mode, and driver training. This is attributed to dedication and planning but I think that it is important to note that some teams do not build until the last minute.

I wouldn't say they're "complete" in weeks 1 and 2, it's almost impossible to build a high caliber machine in that time... Weeks 3 and 4 would be a better estimate, but there are some "powerhouse" teams that aren't "Complete" until their first regional...

[Team 1708 Dave]

Awesome read Chris. May I also have a sticky to give inspiration to the teams here in Pittsburgh?

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by pandamonium

powerhouse teams seem to have the robot complete between 1 and 2 weeks early, to allow room for programing, autonomous mode, and driver training. This is attributed to dedication and planning but I think that it is important to note that some teams do not build until the last minute.

Originally Posted by Chris Fultz

I think you will see that many of these teams don't build much of the "real robot" at all week 1 or week 2.

Originally Posted by thefro526

I wouldn't say they're "complete" in weeks 1 and 2 ...

"between 1 and 2 weeks early" means in Week 4.5 - Week 5.5, not in Week 1 or Week 2 of build season.

Still, the other points made in this thread are valid - don't build until you know what you are building.

[Jared Russell]

Plenty of powerhouses aren't done early. Numerous perennial Einstein competitors have traditionally had slow first goings (71, 233, and 177 have had their share), but they never cease improving.

I also want to underscore that while it is important not to start cutting metal until you know what you want to build, there comes a time when (as JVN puts it) you have to shoot the engineer and just build the thing. (Hopefully nobody takes that literally ).

In my experience, it is important to be realistic about when this must occur for your team's manufacturing situation. Remember when you read JVN's build journal that 148 has an amazing resource in IFI's sheet metal shop - they can have precision-made parts available the day after drawing them. Most teams do not share this luxury. Necessarily, there might be times where you really must start building even if you don't know *exactly* what manipulator X is going to look like. Just build what you know won't change, leave room for the things that might change, and KEEP PROTOTYPING (in parallel to build) until you arrive at the solution that meets your specifications.

[OZ_341]

I would also add to Jared's wisdom, that sometimes when you build "exactly" what you want, it does not work exactly like the prototype, so have an alternative idea. Always have a robust "Plan B", in case things don't work out and never give up. (Building a 'push-bot" is not a sufficient alternative plan)

Now all we have to do is start taking our own advice in 2011.

[czeke]

(Hopefully nobody takes that literally ).
Shooting the engineer, is too good, we prefer slow and excruciating torture. Take away his laptop. hehe

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

"between 1 and 2 weeks early" means in Week 4.5 - Week 5.5, not in Week 1 or Week 2 of build season.

Still, the other points made in this thread are valid - don't build until you know what you are building.

Oh, fair enough, now I see that completing 1 or 2 weeks early would make way more sense and be more plausible. Heck, we finished about 2 weeks early in 2009 and we are by no means a powerhouse.

[Tetraman]

So I thought about being a jokester and look up the definition for Powerhouse, but I actually REALLY like the definition I got from Dictionary.com

a person, group, team, or the like, having great energy, strength, or potential for success.

The best part is that it says 'potential for success', rather then 'is successful'. Powerhouse doesn't necessarly mean you are going to win - it's more about the potential to be successful.

[theprgramerdude]

Originally Posted by Jared341

Plenty of powerhouses aren't done early. Numerous perennial Einstein competitors have traditionally had slow first goings (71, 233, and 177 have had their share), but they never cease improving.

I also want to underscore that while it is important not to start cutting metal until you know what you want to build, there comes a time when (as JVN puts it) you have to shoot the engineer and just build the thing. (Hopefully nobody takes that literally ).

In my experience, it is important to be realistic about when this must occur for your team's manufacturing situation. Remember when you read JVN's build journal that 148 has an amazing resource in IFI's sheet metal shop - they can have precision-made parts available the day after drawing them. Most teams do not share this luxury. Necessarily, there might be times where you really must start building even if you don't know *exactly* what manipulator X is going to look like. Just build what you know won't change, leave room for the things that might change, and KEEP PROTOTYPING (in parallel to build) until you arrive at the solution that meets your specifications.

But... I doubt the notion that if you aren't already building by week 5, there's an issue with the engineer. Somethings fundamentally wrong with the team, if that's the case.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by theprgramerdude

But... I doubt the notion that if you aren't already building by week 5, there's an issue with the engineer. Somethings fundamentally wrong with the team, if that's the case.

"shoot the engineer" is generally referring to the idea that it's time to stop planning and start executing.

[davidthefat]

What is success? Is success a state of being? Is success the antithesis of failure? Is success a destination? Can one ever be successful; can anyone reach success? Is success perfection? One can always perform better; humans can't reach perfection. Success is a journey, not a destination. A successful team is not always the champion. There is something called a head fake, which I learned from Randy Pausch's lecture. When one participates in this competition he does not only learn how to build a robot. He learns how to work as a team, how to manage time wisely and reach deadlines, and how to apply what has been learned in the classroom into real life. I believe that the successful teams are the ones who are able to apply those skills later in life. This part of life is just a small leg of the journey.

Edit:
A powerhouse team is a team with passion. I have noticed from previous experiences that the team who wants it more gets it. We were undefeated in our league last year, lost to a team that we should have beaten and did not get the championship. This past season, we beat a team we were unfavored to win against. They had 16 straight wins, undefeated, and we obliterated them 35 to 14. It is attitude that is the difference between A+ and a F.

[wazcodez]

how many members do you need to become powerhouse ? i think it depnds on sponsors, and on number of members and mentor. we have 4 students, and 1 mentor. and

build season is during exam. i think powerhouse is more like efficiency for FIRST.

just my two cents..

[El Geffe]

I agree. My team hasn't had over 7 active members in the last three years. We start the off-season will almost thirty, but somehow they loose interest and we end up with a tiny but efficient team.

Any specific suggestions for keeping them hooked till build-season?

[flippy147852]

Originally Posted by El Geffe

Any specific suggestions for keeping them hooked till build-season?

Bring food to meetings. High schoolers and college students love food.

[EricH]

Number of students involved does not make a powerhouse. I don't think 330 has had more than about 10 since 2003, and more than 15 since 2002.

In that timespan, we've won a lot of events, including 2 IRIs, 2 Championship Divisions (and one Championship), and a number of regionals. Not to mention being finalists/in the eliminations as a high pick (or picker) quite a bit.

A "powerhouse" is a team that is expected to do well, or has the capacity to do well on a moments' notice. A team that can take advantage of an opponent's mistake and score a lot of points. A team that is always performing at a high level, regardless of number of members and budget. A team that is never satisfied with what they're doing and always looking to improve. That is what makes a powerhouse team. Not budget. Not number of members. Not availability of sponsors and materials.

It's the attitude and drive of a team that make them a powerhouse.