The White Space Product Development Challenge is a midwest inter-university competition created to strengthen students’ knowledge of design methodologies in product development and provide opportunities to interact with companies and industry professionals
Our student teams are working hard to beat the challenge. We are experiencing fantastic growth this year and are in urgent need of more volunteers. We need Judges to evaluate their work and each of our finalist teams is matched with a professional mentor that would be willing to share their ideas and help the team make a stronger submission.
Your experience will be greatly appreciated and you may get to know some great prospects for your next round of hiring.
Your commitment is minimal, but there are specific date that judges need to be available. So read the descriptions below carefully and choose a role you can meet. We appreciate your time!
Detailed Role Descriptions
Phase I Judge’s Role: (15 minimum)
Between March 6 and 10 evaluate ten Phase I written submissions against an evaluation rubric. Work from home/office. Provide comments (pros, cons) on how the team can improve their submission if they move on to the finalist phase, or explain why they didn’t make it to the finalist phase. Experience with design methodologies helpful. (sample evaluation sheet)
Provide your feedback by noon on March 11th.
If you serve as a phase I judge you can also serve as a Phase II Judge or a student team Professional Mentor.
Professional Mentor’s role: (10 needed)
Between now and April 14, coach one of our 10 finalist teams through the development process, providing them the benefit of your real-world experience and insights.
Meetings would be mostly via phone calls or video conferencing. However, if the mentor can meet directly with the team at least once in the 4.5 weeks before the conference, that would be ideal, but not a requirement.
Mentoring a team can be shared between a few individuals, but the Professional Mentor has to be the main contact throughout.
Start with a zoom and see where it takes you. Teams need an objective perspective to understand how their presentations are coming across. A few insightful comments and lots of praise goes a long way to building their confidence.
On April 14, be present at the conference for encouragement at the student team presentations. The Teams will present multiple times to conference attendees for two hours during lunch (only once for the judges). At the end of the day, students will receive their awards.
Mentors are encouraged to come for the entire day's event for free, but not mandatory
Phase II Judge’s Role (5 needed)
Between April 9 and 12 evaluate the 10 finalist phase II written submissions using the rubric (I will be providing the documents) and provide feedback for Phase II papers. Experience with design methodologies helpful. (sample evaluation sheet)
Submit scores and feedback by 4/12 at noon so that they can be compiled and ready for the conference.
At 11am on April 14, MUST be present at the conference to judge the student poster presentations at around lunchtime. There will be ten teams and there will be two hours for judges to move together through the teams and watch each do their presentations. After lunch, we will convene to add the presentation scores to the written evaluations and select the winners.
Judges are encouraged to come for the entire day for free, but not mandatory. We anticipate judging to be completed by 3PM so judges are free to leave although we would love to have you stay with us through the awards and reception.
