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Roles & Org Chart

Define leadership, subteam ownership, and boundaries. Update yearly and before each build season.

Org chart (template)​

  • Executive Lead: Head Coach / Lead Mentor
  • Operations Lead: oversees schedule, budget, travel, safety
  • Technical Leads (per subteam):
    • Mechanical Lead (Deputy)
    • CAD Lead (Deputy)
    • Electrical & Controls Lead (Deputy)
    • Programming Lead (Deputy)
    • Strategy/Scouting Lead (Deputy)
    • Media/Brand Lead (Deputy)
  • Mentors: assigned per subteam; advise and approve critical decisions
  • Student Leads: per subteam; drive day-to-day execution

Role descriptions (concise)​

  • Executive Lead: final decision-maker, safety owner, escalation point.
  • Operations Lead: calendar, budget, procurement, travel, pit ops, safety compliance.
  • Mechanical Lead: drivetrains/mechanisms; fabrication/assembly quality; testing plans.
  • CAD Lead: CAD structure, reviews, releases, ECNs, drawing/BOM quality.
  • Electrical & Controls Lead: wiring standards, inspection readiness, pneumatics oversight, test boards.
  • Programming Lead: architecture, code reviews, logging/simulation, CI checks.
  • Strategy/Scouting Lead: match strategy, pick lists, data integrity, event debriefs.
  • Media/Brand Lead: branding, photography/video, social updates, sponsor assets.
  • Deputies: shadow leads; cover during absences; succession pipeline.
  • Mentors: guide, review critical safety/technical decisions; ensure policies followed.

Expectations & boundaries​

  • Leads own quality, documentation, and training within their subteam.
  • Mentors advise and approve safety-critical or major architectural changes.
  • Deputies learn and cover; every lead has at least one deputy.
  • Safety: any person can stop work for safety; escalate to Executive/Operations.

RACI (sample, adapt to your team)​

  • Robot architecture: R = Technical Leads, A = Executive Lead, C = Mentors, I = Ops/Media
  • Safety/compliance: R = Ops Lead, A = Executive Lead, C = Mentors, I = All
  • Code releases: R = Programming Lead, A = Programming Mentor, C = Electrical Lead, I = Technical Leads
  • CAD releases: R = CAD Lead, A = CAD Mentor, C = Mechanical/Electrical Leads, I = Technical Leads
  • Match strategy: R = Strategy Lead, A = Executive Lead, C = Technical Leads, I = All

Succession & coverage​

  • Identify deputies for every lead each season.
  • Run handoff checklists pre- and post-season (accounts, docs, in-flight work, tooling).
  • Document “if absent” coverage for events and meetings.

Update cadence​

  • Preseason: confirm roles, deputies, mentors.
  • Mid-season: checkpoint on coverage and load; adjust if gaps.
  • Post-season: capture lessons and update this chart.