Competition Day Guide · Guide 02 · Arrival
Arrival & Workspace Setup
The arrival period should remove distractions before the clock starts. Build a stable workspace, confirm basic access, prepare the shared status system, and make ownership visible.
A clean setup reduces accidental disconnects, duplicate work, missing references, and the frantic first few minutes that happen when the team starts before it is organized.
Setup Goal
Arrival rule
Finish the workspace before beginning the competition work
Stable power, network access, references, ownership, and shared tracking should already be in place when the team begins reading the scenario.
Arrival sequence
Set up in a predictable order
01
Enter and inventory
Confirm the team, equipment, power adapters, cables, references, and required personal items arrived.
02
Build the workspace
Place devices, power, networking, references, and shared status tools in predictable positions.
03
Verify basic access
Check that required local files, collaboration tools, and approved accounts are accessible.
04
Confirm ownership
Review which teammate is expected to own each platform and who is coordinating the round.
05
Prepare tracking
Open the shared change log or status board and confirm everyone can use it.
06
Stop setup changes
Once the environment is stable, stop reorganizing and wait for the round instructions.
Six setup zones
Organize the workspace around how the team will actually work
Power & Devices
Network & Connectivity
Reference Area
Shared Status Area
Seating & Ownership
Workspace Calm
Do not do this
Arrival time is for setup, not experimentation
Rearrange cables repeatedly after connectivity is stable.
Install new tools simply because there is extra time.
Start broad hardening before the competition begins.
Change account settings without a scenario-driven reason.
Open many unrelated windows and terminals before ownership is assigned.
Scatter references across multiple devices with no shared structure.
Let one teammate control the only copy of the shared status notes.
Leave chargers or Ethernet cables where people can trip over them.
Begin technical troubleshooting before confirming the basic workspace setup.
Use the arrival period as an unplanned practice round.
Workspace check
Confirm the room is ready before the round
All team members are present or accounted for.
Competition devices are powered and stable.
Chargers are connected or immediately available.
Ethernet or approved network access is confirmed.
Spare cable or backup hardware is available if possible.
Platform references are organized.
Shared status log is open.
Every teammate knows where to record changes.
Platform ownership is roughly confirmed.
Team lead has visibility into the shared status view.
Workspace clutter is removed.
No unnecessary technical changes are still happening.
Weak setup vs better setup
Replace arrival chaos with predictable preparation
Weak setup
Everyone can sit wherever and move later.
Better setup
Choose seats with platform ownership, communication, and cable stability in mind before the round starts.
Weak setup
We can open all our tools now just in case.
Better setup
Open only the references and tracking tools needed for the start so the workspace stays easy to understand.
Weak setup
The cable works, so leave it across the floor.
Better setup
Route power and network cables so they stay connected and do not create a trip or accidental-disconnect risk.
Weak setup
Each person can track their own progress.
Better setup
Use one shared operational view so ownership, findings, and verification stay visible to the entire team.
Weak setup
Let's start checking systems while everyone else sets up.
Better setup
Finish the basic workspace first so the team starts from a coordinated and stable environment.
Weak setup
We have extra time, so let's install another tool.
Better setup
Protect the known-good environment and use extra time to organize references or review the communication plan.
Final questions
Ask these before the clock starts
Does every competition device have reliable power?
Is the expected network connection physically stable?
Can every teammate access the shared status system?
Are the most important references easy to reach?
Does every platform have an expected owner?
Can the team lead see the overall status clearly?
Are cables and equipment arranged safely?
Is the workspace calm enough that the team can focus when the round starts?
Arrival & Workspace final checklist
Start the round from a stable, shared, and organized environment
Power is stable for every competition device.
Network connectivity is physically stable.
Required accounts and local files are accessible.
References are grouped and easy to reach.
Shared change log or status board is ready.
Every teammate knows where to record updates.
Platform ownership is roughly confirmed.
Team lead or coordinator has a clear view of team status.
Cables are routed safely.
Workspace clutter is removed.
Unnecessary applications and setup tasks are closed.
The team is ready to wait for the scenario instead of making premature changes.