Appearance
Judging
Judging mode runs on an iPad in a browser at the judging table. It is anonymous by design: the judge sees an entry number and the item, never a name.
Scorecards
A scorecard is a set of criteria, each with a point ceiling. Configure them per class, or per department where every class is judged the same way.
| Criterion | Ceiling |
|---|---|
| Appearance | 25 |
| Clarity | 25 |
| Flavour | 30 |
| Container and label | 20 |
Criteria, ceilings, and thresholds are all data, so a change to how a department judges is configuration rather than a support ticket.
Judging an entry
- Scan the QR code on the entry's claim tag.
- The scorecard opens with the entry number and the class — no exhibitor name anywhere on the screen.
- Score each criterion on a slider.
- Add notes — these reach the exhibitor with their results, and are often the most valuable part of entering.
- Save and next, then scan the following entry.
Scan-to-open is what makes this workable at pace. The judge never searches a list.
Multiple judges
An entry can be judged by more than one judge. Each judge fills their own card, and the scores are averaged for tabulation. Individual cards remain visible for review.
Ribbons by points, not just rank
Placements can derive from point thresholds rather than pure ordering — the standard catalog language of a first place may not be awarded, but a second or third may.
Set a threshold per placement on the scorecard and an entry that does not reach it does not take that ribbon, even if it is the best in its class.
After judging
Judging feeds Results, where scores are tabulated into placements with tie handling, special awards are assigned, and everything is published to exhibitors.
Practicalities
- Use a browser on the iPad. There is no app to install.
- Bring a charger. A day of judging is a day of screen-on.
- Notes are worth the extra ten seconds. The exhibitor reads them.
Still to come
- Judge accounts as their own role. Judges currently use a staff login; a dedicated role is planned.
- Per-judge queue assignment, so a judge sees only the entries assigned to them.