Scouting Better

[GreeneBean]

I'm looking for a way to gain super fantastic info on the robots but our current way of doing so is not the best I feel. We are using a Google Form and scouting 3 to 4 robots per match to keep our scouts from getting burned out. The google form, however, relies on internet to work. Is there any way to get the data without the need for internet but still using technology?

[Caleb Sykes]

Originally Posted by GreeneBean

I'm looking for a way to gain super fantastic info on the robots but our current way of doing so is not the best I feel. We are using a Google Form and scouting 3 to 4 robots per match to keep our scouts from getting burned out. The google form, however, relies on internet to work. Is there any way to get the data without the need for internet but still using technology?

Why is "using technology" a requirement for your scouting system?

[IronicDeadBird]

Originally Posted by Caleb Sykes

Why is "using technology" a requirement for your scouting system?

Cause the alchemy based scouting just hasn't panned out the way we want.

[ThunderousPrime]

The easiest way to improve your scouting system is to add a tripod and video camera and record all of the matches. A picture is worth a thousand words and videos are priceless For scouting. Videos allow you to look back and see driver habits, reevaluate data, get everyone on the same page for a picklist, evaluate drivetrains and more. Also they help your drive team see their performance and be able to correct issues before the next event.

Also the tape never lies where scouts can make errors or in your case, simply have no data on a team.

A keen eye with strategic knowledge can do a lot with match videos in tandem with The Blue Aliance data, more I suspect than many team's scouting systems.

[evanperryg]

Originally Posted by IronicDeadBird

Cause the alchemy based scouting just hasn't panned out the way we want.

Really? Try adding some extra torn low bar fabric into the mix. Works great for us.

[GreeneBean]

Originally Posted by Caleb Sykes

Why is "using technology" a requirement for your scouting system?

Toting around stacks of paper and sifting through it all wastes loads of time. I'm looking for an quick and easy way to sift through data.

[IKE]

Originally Posted by GreeneBean

Toting around stacks of paper and sifting through it all wastes loads of time. I'm looking for an quick and easy way to sift through data.

Very interesting. I have found well organized notes and data to be incredibly fast and helpful.

I admit, I am a bit jealous of some of the great electronic systems I have seen, but I have only been burned by my notes once, and that was when I lost my pit scouting binder at Champs.

[Boltman]

Sent PM

[IronicDeadBird]

If your paper scouting system isn't working out it isn't because you used paper its because you didn't come up with a good paper scouting system. Nobody said you had to carry around a crate of papers that was your decision.

[GreeneBean]

Originally Posted by IKE

Very interesting. I have found well organized notes and data to be incredibly fast and helpful.

We used a paper and pencil system in the past and I had it organized very well. When we went over the data, it took sometime to crunch numbers and get an idea of how a team did during the qualifiers.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Here is the best video I know of on how to scout at a very high level.
To Compete Consistently and Effectively: Logan Farrell FRC#118

[IKE]

Originally Posted by GreeneBean

We used a paper and pencil system in the past and I had it organized very well. When we went over the data, it took sometime to crunch numbers and get an idea of how a team did during the qualifiers.

I can understand that. I am a big proponent of the one team, one sheet system that uses rows for matches. If you are taking the right data, I can literally see a team getting better with just a second of glancing. The one team one sheet concept also helps sort for pick list by making Yes, No, Maybe piles and then sorting those stacks accordingly.

One problem I have with most electronic systems are they do a great job of averaging, and giving metrics, but the metric is only as good as its foundation. Take for instance a team that didn't run their first 3 matches, and then did very well once fixing their software glitch. A good scout would be concerned, but would send someone to investigate the issue, and then you would want your data to really ignore those first three matches. 3 down matches would potentially reduce averages and totals by 25% for a district event but definitely is not reflective of how their Elim performance would be.

[The other Gabe]

First, I feel like I should summon someone from Skunkworks because they have a scouting app that is very popular in the PNW, and might be worth looking into - it seems like the best answer to your question. ARISE!

when I was scout lead, we used paper, because despite being more cumbersome, it's not subject to needing internet or power or whatever. So even though you don't like it, it's worth at least consideration... But if youre looking for a way to have the most vital information available to you at all times, here's my suggestion (and what my co-lead and I did when I scouted):

get a bunch of flash cards - 1 for each team. Write each team's number on said flashcard. Watch every match. while watching that match, have out the 6 notecards (or maybe just the 3 for the blue alliance if watching the whole field is too overwhelming) for the teams that are currently competing. write down what you notice - if they like to try for the CDF but really aren't good at it, note that. if they have a fantastic shooter but really struggle with the defenses, note that. it's a fantastic way to have a general idea as to the strengths and weaknesses of teams without needing access to all the data that youre having the other scouts collect at all times.

this whole idea hinges on the idea that you'd actually want/are able to to sit and watch every match, of course. and that's not for everyone :v

hopefully that was actually helpful and not just me rambling on for a few paragraphs

[*Rachelle*]

I hear a lot about making scouting more efficient with technology scouting, my team uses paper match scouting, with info about previous seasons on a Google Sheet. Scouting night was down to 2 hours for Week 1, when we started this system a few years ago it took closer to 4-6 hours. My question is how many people are you all keeping up for the scouting meeting and how long does it take you? (Question for OP and those following the thread)

I personally find that staring at a computer screen late at night can be harder than getting up and shuffling papers into specific categories. Some of this is just because moving around helps keep us awake.

As for crumpled papers and bad handwriting, we keep the writing down to tallies and Y's/N's as much as possible, each team has one paper. Never really had a problem with the papers getting destroyed. They are sorted by team number in a folder. It's a mini filing system, so the day starts with something like papers with teams 1-1500 are in the first tab and 2500-3000 might be in the third tab.

Something should also be said for looking at just the numbers and averages. Perhaps a team isn't going for the right strategy, but they have a decent driver and reliable robot, you may have found yourself a good defensive robot candidate that you may not find with certain electronic scouting. PNW is very good about posting matches up on YouTube and we are able to refer to matches that we have questions about very easily.

Let me know if you'd like to see the sheets or have any questions!

[Jon Stratis]

You could do exactly the same thing using an excel spreadsheet on each computer/tablet. Then you just need to occasionally merge the spreadsheets to see the full picture.

There are team-built apps out there as well. They basically do all of that for you, allowing you to sync data from multiple tablets over Bluetooth to a master tablet.