7 things you need to learn before your next Hackathon

Hackathons are quite an exciting part of student life. A healthy extracurricular that keeps your brain intact, hackathons are fun and make you learn different things, learn about new technologies, and make you aware of the global perspective of your proposed solution. Funneling down the ideas, creating a pitch deck, envisioning your teammates with your thoughts, and creating a viable business model; are the few go-to skills you will learn while doing hackathons, but there are 7 things you must keep in mind before registering yourself for the next event.

1. Funneling your idea
2. In-depth knowledge of problem statement
3. Your Project should be viable for 5Ws
4. Choose technology Wisely
5. User Appealing == User satisfaction
6. Get your Balance sheet corrected
7. Winning is not everything

1. Funneling your idea

Got the idea for the hackathon? That’s great! But can you ensure that your project can benefit everyone with your said services? This is where the funneling of ideas is a bigger deal. There is no harm in targeting a small or specific group of people, but your project must be very much relevant to the given problem statement and the addressed solution by your team.

When you got an idea for the competition, think of it as a need for someone specific. For example, if you are designing a mobile application, you need to funnel your target audience and demography, which will be using your application. Setting your target audience is necessary because the design of the application, and User Experience (UX), in this case, are most important to be kept attractive and suitable for the target audience. (PS: You’ll see more greyish colors in the Workout application and less pinkish color 😅)

2. In-Depth Knowledge of the Problem Statement

After funneling the idea into targeting a specific group of people, your next move is to spend your time on research. Having a good knowledge of the topic is great, but it is always recommended by me to my juniors that you MUST know your audience. Get the specific numbers, facts, and other supporting material that makes your project viable enough for the judges to vote.

For example, if you got the topic for “tackling Water Scarcity”, your first instinct should be to narrow down your idea and then have great research on water scarcity, its causes, and the current situation. Only in-depth knowledge of a topic can make you aware more of the problem statement, and you can focus on the solution even more easily.

3. Viability of 5 Ws

The 5W’s (Who, What, When, Why, Where) basically answers all the problems or the things that you are focusing on to eradicate them.

By addressing the 5W’s in the project planning and development process, you gather vital information, establish clear goals, align the project with the intended audience, and ensure efficient resource allocation and time management. This comprehensive approach enhances the viability of the project and increases the likelihood of achieving its objectives effectively.

The 5W’s can be addressed as follows:

1. Who: This knowledge allows for personalized features, effective marketing, and improved user satisfaction, ultimately increasing the project’s viability.

2. What: This includes understanding the problem it aims to solve, the specific features or functionalities it will offer, and the intended outcomes.

3. When: This involves establishing milestones, prioritizing tasks, and estimating the time required for each phase.

4. Why: A clear “why” contributes to the project’s viability by establishing its relevance and potential impact.

5. Where: This includes considering the geographical, technological, or market factors that might impact the project’s success.

4. Choosing Technology wisely

Using appropriate technology in a hackathon optimizes development efficiency, ensures scalability and performance, simplifies integration, leverages team expertise, and enhances the project’s overall appeal. It significantly increases the chances of successfully delivering a functional and competitive solution within the limited timeframe of a hackathon.

Colloquially, we refer to the technology used for the project as “Tech Stack”, where we determine what kind of technology are we using for front-end, back-end, database, or for the other requirements.

5. User Appeal == User Satisfaction

User satisfaction is closely related to user appeal. User finds an application or product appealing when it meets their needs, preferences, and expectations. If an application or product is visually appealing and easy to use, it can enhance the user’s experience and increase their satisfaction with the product.

When an application or product is visually appealing, it can positively impact the user’s mood and emotions, making them more likely to engage with it. A visually appealing product can also be easier to use, as it can reduce the cognitive load required to navigate and interact with it. This, in turn, can enhance the user’s satisfaction with the product.

6. Get your Balance Sheet corrected

To create an effective business model for a hackathon project, follow these steps: Clearly define the problem you aim to solve, determine your unique value proposition, identify your target market and customers, explore revenue streams that align with your value proposition, consider the cost structure, conduct a competitive analysis to differentiate your project, develop a marketing and distribution strategy, ensure scalability and sustainability, and continuously iterate and refine based on user feedback and market trends. By going through these steps, you can align your project with market needs, generate revenue, and establish a strong foundation for long-term success.

7. Winning is not Everything

Participating in a hackathon is about more than just winning. It’s an opportunity for personal growth, learning, and collaboration. The journey itself is filled with excitement, innovation, and the chance to make a difference. Hackathons foster creativity and teamwork, allowing participants to build valuable skills and make meaningful connections. While winning may be a goal, the true reward lies in the knowledge gained, the friendships formed, and the positive impact created.

So embrace the challenge, enjoy the process, and remember that the ultimate measure of success is the experience and growth you gain along the way. Keep participating in them, and learn from your mistakes. Rome was not built in a day and you will adapt and improvise your tactics so well, that you might have winning streaks in the hackathons.

I really hope you find this article very helpful, and I am really sure that you will consider these points when you are going to the upcoming hackathons.

Do share it with your teammates and your fellow participants. Danke.