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Scouting and Strategy Specialist Criteria

Scouting and strategy helps the team make informed decisions at competition. It gathers accurate information, turns that information into useful plans, and helps the Drive Team understand both our alliance’s strengths and the opposing alliance’s likely approach.

Two student specialists guide this work with support from one or more strategy mentors:

  • Strategy Specialist: Uses scouting data, match observations, robot capabilities, and game knowledge to help create match plans for the Alliance.
  • Scouting Specialist: Organizes the scouting team and helps scouts collect complete, consistent, and accurate match data.
  • Strategy/Scouting Mentor(s): Trains and supports the team, helps resolve problems, and provides guidance to the students in the strategy process.

Although these positions have different responsibilities, the two specialists must work closely together. Accurate data is only valuable when it is understood and communicated, and a strong strategy depends on reliable scouting.

Qualities We Look For​

The qualities below are listed in order of importance. Students do not need to begin with every technical skill, but they must be ready to learn and train responsibly.

1. Maturity​

  • Can be trusted with important tasks, schedules, and deadlines.
  • Remains calm and thoughtful when information is incomplete or time is limited.
  • Takes responsibility for mistakes and focuses on solutions.
  • Makes fair decisions and does not use the role to control or exclude others.

2. Communication​

  • Explains information clearly to others, including, teammates, Drive Team, mentors, and alliance partners
  • Communicates respectfully, even when there is pressure or disagreement.
  • Listens carefully and asks useful follow-up questions.
  • Raises concerns respectfully and confirms that important information was understood.

3. Respect​

  • Treats every team member’s contribution as valuable.
  • Communicates professionally with others, including teammates, other teams, volunteers, and mentors.
  • Avoids insulting teams or students when discussing performance data.
  • Represents the team positively everywhere including the pits, queue, stands, and on the field.

4. Teamwork​

  • Works closely with the other students and mentors.
  • Helps create an environment where others can succeed.
  • Puts the needs of the team and alliance ahead of personal attention or credit.
  • Helps others learn without making them feel embarrassed for asking questions.

5. Humility and Coachability​

  • Changes a conclusion when better data or observations become available.
  • Listens to feedback and recognizes that no prediction or strategy is perfect.
  • Separates personal opinions from evidence.
  • Is willing to perform routine scouting work as well as role tasks.

6. Dedication​

  • Attends scouting training, strategy meetings, and competitions consistently.
  • Completes preparation before events and follows through during long competition days.
  • Stays engaged even when the team is not performing as expected.
  • Helps improve scouting tools and procedures throughout the season.

7. Knowledge​

  • Understands the current game rules, scoring, ranking system, and common strategies.
  • Learns the capabilities and limitations of our robot and other teams’ robots.
  • Can interpret scouting information without overstating what the data proves.
  • Understands the team’s scouting process and the purpose of each collected data point.

Selection Process​

TBD

Expectations After Selection​

Both student specialists are expected to:

  • Attend required meetings and competitions.
  • Know the game manual and keep up with rule updates.
  • Create a welcoming, focused, and accountable scouting environment.
  • Communicate problems early, especially when data, staffing, or schedules may affect match preparation.
  • Use evidence honestly and acknowledge uncertainty when the available information is limited.
  • Continue scouting and completing routine team tasks; the role does not remove those responsibilities.
  • Listen to mentor guidance and make changes when a process is not working.
  • Maintain a grade of D or higher in every class. Students who are struggling in a class should speak with a mentor as early as possible; the mentors will do their best to connect them with help and support. Students should also communicate early if school or personal responsibilities affect their availability.

Strategy Specialist Expectations​

The Strategy Specialist is also expected to:

  • Prepare clear, realistic match recommendations using available data and observations.
  • Understand our robot well enough to avoid proposing unsafe or unrealistic plans.
  • Include the Driver, Operator, Human Player, Drive Coach, and alliance partners in match discussions.
  • Communicate the most important information first when time is limited.
  • Review match outcomes to improve future strategy without blaming individuals.

Scouting Specialist Expectations​

The Scouting Specialist is also expected to:

  • Work with scouts to use the team’s system consistently.
  • Check for missing, inconsistent, or unlikely data and address problems respectfully.
  • Work with mentors and technical team members to improve scouting tools and backup plans.

Assignments may change if team needs, student availability, performance, or conduct require it. Mentors will communicate concerns and provide feedback whenever practical.

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