Team Organization
Best practices for structuring your FTC team for success and collaboration.
Team Structure & Roles
Coach/Mentor
Responsibilities: Oversee team, manage resources, mentor students, coordinate with school/organization
Team Captain
Responsibilities: Lead meetings, coordinate between subteams, communicate deadlines, represent team
Programming Subteam
Responsibilities: Write TeleOp and autonomous code, test programming, debug issues
Build/Mechanical Subteam
Responsibilities: Design and build robot, assemble components, perform maintenance
Electrical Subteam
Responsibilities: Manage wiring, power distribution, sensor integration, troubleshoot electrical issues
Business/Operations
Responsibilities: Fundraising, sponsorships, outreach, social media, documentation
Communication Channels
- Discord/Slack: Real-time team communication and file sharing
- Email: Formal announcements and meeting schedules
- Google Drive: Shared documents, budgets, design files
- GitHub: Version control for programming code
- Shared Calendar: Meeting times, competition dates, deadlines
Meeting Schedule
Recommended Structure:
- Weekly Team Meetings: 1-2 hours to discuss progress and upcoming tasks
- Subteam Meetings: 1-2 hours weekly for focused work
- Bi-weekly All-Hands: Status updates and team building
- Build Sessions: 3-5 hours on weekends for intensive work
Documentation & Record Keeping
Engineering Notebook
Document all design decisions, build progress, and problem-solving. Required for competition judging.
Budget Tracking
Keep detailed records of all spending. Helps with future planning and sponsor reporting.
Code Repository
Use GitHub to track code changes and maintain version history. Allows collaboration and rollback capabilities.
Design Documentation
Document robot design, CAD files, and mechanical drawings for reference and future improvements.
Conflict Resolution & Team Culture
- Establish team ground rules at the start of season
- Create a safe space for disagreement and idea sharing
- Resolve conflicts promptly and fairly
- Celebrate achievements and progress
- Mentor struggling members rather than removing them
- Balance competition goals with member development
Member Development
Onboarding New Members
Assign a mentor, provide orientation, explain team structure, and gradually increase responsibilities.
Skill Building
Host workshops on programming, CAD, mechanical design, and communication skills throughout the season.
Leadership Opportunities
Rotate leadership roles, give members responsibility, and prepare for transition to next year's leadership.
Mentorship Program
Pair experienced members with newer members for guidance and knowledge transfer.
Budget Management
Create a transparent budget showing:
- Robot parts ($1,200-2,000)
- Tools & equipment ($300-500)
- Competition fees ($400-600)
- Travel ($400-800)
- Team shirts & materials ($150-300)
- Contingency fund (10% of total)
Share budget with team and sponsors. Track spending regularly.
Competition Preparation
- Create a pre-competition checklist
- Test robot thoroughly before each event
- Assign roles for setup, driving, and troubleshooting
- Develop communication protocols for matches
- Brief team on rules and expectations
- Have spare parts and tools available
End-of-Season Evaluation
- Collect feedback from all team members
- Assess what worked well and what needs improvement
- Document lessons learned for next season
- Plan for member retention and recruitment
- Celebrate accomplishments and member growth
- Begin planning for next season's strategy