You Have Been Asked to Judge Your Company's Hackathon

Organizers have invited you to join the judging panel for the company's hackathon. Initially, you feel honored, but then you notice the diverse group of participants, including principal engineers, a team lead, and a team from another department. You question your ability to evaluate their work. Remember that your role is not to be superior to the presenters but to observe closely and articulate your reasoning.

Before the event, request the judging criteria from the organizers if they haven't been provided. Stick to the established criteria during scoring to maintain fairness. Review the list of teams ahead of time to prepare for any unexpected presentations. If you have personal biases, such as presenting with a team member, acknowledge it and refrain from biasing your score.

While teams demonstrate their projects, take notes on specific aspects of each entry. As you progress through the presentations, memory may become unreliable, so your notes will serve as the most accurate record. Engage with each team by asking a thoughtful question that demonstrates active listening. Your question should seek to understand their work better, such as potential real-world applications or the target user.

During disagreements among judges, share your observations and the reasoning behind your perspective. Be open to changing your mind if new evidence is presented. Regardless of the outcome, provide constructive feedback to teams that didn't win. A concise, focused critique highlighting the team's strengths can be invaluable and is often overlooked by judges.