What Contributes the Most to a Team's Success?

[KrazyCarl92]

Given that the mission of FIRST is to inspire students to become leaders in science and technology, the measure of success for a team has to be measured by how well they inspire their students and other teams students. Therefore, I would have to say that mentors are the most important aspect of success because they are the ones actively inspiring the students, giving them something to be excited about and showing them how to make something as complex as an FRC robot a fun thing to build and compete with. Of course winning helps inspire students, so that is a part of a team's success, but it isn't the whole picture. Mentors are also the integral part in establishing the professional setting for students to interact with professional engineers to overcome a difficult challenge together.

[JaneYoung]

The strength of Plan B. The strength of Plan B depends on all the other facets of the team and how well-developed they are and in tune with flexibility, adjustment, and change they are.

Examples:
- What is the backup plan to a lead mentor who cannot remain committed to the build/competition season?

- What is the backup plan to the sudden withdrawal of sponsorship from a sponsor who has stood by the team through the year(s) but can no longer do so?

- What is the backup plan to a sudden increase in team membership or a sudden decrease in team membership?

- What is the backup plan to a facility change/cancellation or closing?

- What is the strength and organized support of the parents as a group?

- What is the strength of the team that can carry it from sudden uncharted waters into smooth sailing?

The answers to these questions can help you determine the team's success and achievements and set goals for garnering more.

Jane

[LightWaves1636]

I voted "other" because honestly is making FRC 3320 pull a 180 this year and become so impressive now is because they meet all year round.

Each student has been training and self-teaching LabVIEW, Inventor, or 3ds Max Design since June 2010. The team has the dedicated students, mentors who care, and everything else listed in the choices but I think what really gave 3320 the change this year is that they've had the seat time to hone their skills off-season.

[tonirtx]

I voted for experienced mentors.

We are a second year team.

Both years we have had incredibly hardworking student team members. I am so proud of their FIRST first year effort.

But, this year we had more mentors with experience. They were able to direct the students to use their talents and energy with the most effectiveness. And with the same hardworking team members (and more), our team excelled!

So, without the students, there is no team. But if the students come down with long-term frustration, can they maintain their numbers and enthusiasm?
Effective Mentors can reduce frustration and help sustain a team.