Scouting Methods
There are many different methods of scouting, all of which have their pros and cons. There are many factors that go into choosing a method including set-up time, ease of use, reliability, helpfulness in strategy, compiling time, and usefulness in picking partners at finals. Deciding the on which priorities are the most important will help choose the right scouting. It’s important to note that these methods are listed in their “pure” form. Ultimately, a combination of these methods makes for the strongest scouting effort.
Scouting criteria
While there are many criteria to consider when choosing a method, the most important factors are listed below.
Set-up Time
Logistically, this one will most likely be the most influential in choosing a method. Teams that set aside some time ahead of competition to develop a method have quite a few more options available than teams that try to pull something together at the last minute.
Ease of use
How hard is it to use? Does it require careful attention to every action a robot takes on the field, or does it only require writing down the final score? Does it require memorization of questions to ask in the pits, or is a checked box sufficient? How long does it take to find information? Generally, the harder a method is to use, the more manpower a team will need to be effective. So, it really depends on which members of the team are going to be doing the scouting.
Reliability
How accurate is the gathered information? How easily is a robot’s general value “inflated”? If there’s more than one person on a team scouting, there will be very different approaches to gathering information, and also very different interpretations as to what data is relevant and what is not. A reliable method is one that accurately reflects the overall value and qualities of a robot.
Compile Time
After all that information is gathered, how long does it take to turn into something useful? Does it require reading and transcribing dozens of hastily scribbled notes? Or does it mean simply updating a PDA to a database? Generally teams will only have one night to compile all of this information. So, it is important to carefully consider how much manpower will be available to compile the information.
Strategy
This aspect is one of the most important aspects of scouting and is vitally important to the people who drive the robot. How fast can a robot score? In a pushing match, who has more torque? Does a robot generally defend the home area, or go deep into enemy territory? This aspect includes those things which are very helpful to know in strategizing for a match.
Partner Picking
When if comes down to the finals, who’s going to be picked as a partner? Teams need to be prepared with a detailed plan of which robots they will pick as their partner, with a plan for backup partners, keeping in mind that that the other 7 teams will very likely be wanting to pick the same partners.
Methods at a glance
| Set-up-time | Ease | Reliability | Strategy | Compile-time | Partner Picking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistical | - | = | ++ | -- | = | + |
| Records | = | - | + | ++ | -- | - |
| Notes | + | + | - | + | - | ++ |
| Scoutsheets | = | + | = | + | - | - |
| Bubble-in | = | = | = | = | + | + |
| Database | -- | = | -- | = | ++ | = |
- ++ Fantastic
- + Excellent
- = Average
- - Poor
- -- Pitiful
Please note that these are rough aproximations, methods can be better or worse depending on how you go about it.
Statistical
Statistical scouting uses pure numbers to calculate mathematically the value and scoring capabilities of various robots and is generally done on a computer. While probably the most useful method for picking partners in finals, it doesn’t help zip with strategy. Only knowing that the opposing alliance has won every match of the day and that your partner(s) has yet to win a match is not helpful going into a match.
Match Records
Match records involve making detailed records and descriptions of what teams did while on the field to predict what they will do, and how well they will perform in future matches. While probably the most useful method strategy wise, it’s a logistical nightmare to compile and turn into something useful. Because of the very lengthy compile time, the data is usually only useful in finals matches. However, if the manpower is available, it’s an invaluable intelligence resource.
Random Notes
Random notes are the easiest method to implement but their usefulness can vary considerably. They pretty much involve simply randomly jotting down any significant features or problems in a robot that stand out as they come to mind (this system lends itself quite nicely to a pro/con format). This method is the easiest to use, and requires almost no preparation (save paper and pen), and it’s also very useful in strategizing if done right. But compiling the notes is probably the most difficult part (handwriting is frequently atrocious), and the relevancy of the notes will vary quite a bit. It’s also difficult to ascertain the overall value of a robot based solely on notes, so picking in finals is made quite difficult.
Scoutsheets
Scoutsheets are very similar to random notes, but more preparation goes into it, and the end-results are quite a bit more reliable and relevant. Typically, scoutsheets will be a page long and have sections to fill in answers to various questions about a team’s robot, which keeps the scouting much more focused than the random notes method, and is also very useful in strategizing. But, it also suffers from similar problems in compiling and picking partners in finals.
Bubble-In
This method is fairly average on most counts, it takes some time to set up (avoid Microsoft Word tables, they are evil), it’s fairly reliable, and is somewhat helpful in strategy, but it’s greatest strength is in the compiling time. Typically, bubble-ins are crammed into a small space, with “bubble-in” answers to various checkboxes, with multiple teams on the same page. It’s also quite helpful in finals with picking partners, as the list is compact, and generally easier to ascertain the overall value of a robot.
Database
The database method is probably the singularly most sought after method, partly for the incredible ease in compiling, partly for the coolness factor. Database scouting involves a singular database of information where scouting teams fill out forms and store their scouting information digitally. Sometimes, this information is shared between teams. Theoretically, almost all of the above methods could be used and combined together with a database. However, this method takes an enormous amount of time to set-up, and like many digital devices, can be very unreliable. There have been many attempts to make this method work, but very, very few succeed. Eventually, it is very likely that all scouting will be done with this method, though that day is probably a very long ways off.