| Who makes this decision? | Score Master |
|---|---|
| Who needs to be informed? | Tournament Director, Challenge Master, Head Appraiser |
The scoring room is a vital part of any Destination Imagination tournament. The arrangement of the room with its supplies and computers, and the composition of the scoring team, depend upon the scoring strategy you selected during the Plan your scoring strategy task.
In this task, you must determine how many computers you need, how many people you need, and what the people will do. Then, work with the Tournament Director to make sure that you can locate an appropriate scoring room and find the necessary people and supplies.
As discussed in the Scoring Procedures section, the scoring room is a quiet and secure area, protected from noise, disruption, and interference. The room usually has at least two computers running the DI Scoring Program, a printer, and a copier. It might also have computers used to track people and paperwork.
To minimize errors, scoring rooms must have at least two computers and two computer operators entering each score. The chance of error is reduced significantly when two people are entering the same data in separate computers and then comparing their work. When computer operators are not used, that is, when appraisers type their scores into the DI Scoring Program, computers in the scoring room are used to collect data from different sites. Duplicating this task is also prudent.
But the element that makes or breaks a scoring room are the people. Nothing can replace the talent and effort of focused, meticulous, and dedicated volunteers. A scoring team usually consists of the following members.
Score Master
Manages the scoring room and the scoring team. Provides all supplies, including computers, installs and sets up the computers, and selects and trains the scoring team.
Paperwork Manager
Tracks scores and other paperwork entering and leaving the scoring room.
Score Checkers
In site-centered or detailed score room strategies, score checkers are optional but very helpful. The score checker will verify that all the paperwork is complete and legible. The checker also puts score sheets in order to speed up data entry for the computer operators. In a mostly manual strategy, the score checker will recalculate and verify scores summed and averaged at the challenge site. Score checkers must be very familiar with the rules for scoring the challenges.
Computer Operators
Type scores into the DI Scoring Program, check scores, and print reports. The data entry team must be very familiar with the DI Scoring Program. A small regional tournament may only require two people for this task, but for a very large regional or affiliate tournament a good rule of thumb is 2 computer operators for each 50 teams performing.
In a site-centered score room, the computer operators collect and combine data sent from the challenge sites electronically or on removable media. One common practice with site-centered is to do the first entry on site and the second entry at the central score room.
In a detailed scoring room, which receives unsummed values from the challenge sites, more data entry is required. This extra work might require additional computers and computer operators as indicated above.
Runners
A human link that connects the scoring room to the challenge sites. Runners carry paper score sheets, removable media, questions and answers, and supplies. In a site-centered scoring room where computers at the challenge site are connected to computers in the scoring room by a network, runners should be available to provide technical support. Optimally, there should be one runner assigned to each challenge site.
Number Cruncher
Number Crunchers are not typically used unless a mostly manual scoring strategy is used. If used, number crunchers are located at the challenge site. Sums and averages the appraisers’ scores, and then fills in the master score sheet or types scores into a computer. Depending on their tasks, number crunchers must be very familiar with the rules for scoring the challenge and with the DI Scoring Program. There must be at least one number cruncher at each challenge site.
Traditionally, the number cruncher is considered to be a member of the challenge team. However, in some strategies, the number cruncher is a member of the scoring team who represents the scoring team at the challenge site.
Number crunchers are not required when you use a site-centered strategy. One or more computer operators directly enter scores into the score program.
Use the information provided above to decide what you need for your scoring room. Then, return to the Planning Worksheet and check off the Design the Scoring Room task.