Judging your next show as smoothly as possible
Avoid missed entries, categories and awards by briefing judges, assigning one record keeper and checking every result before the ceremony.
After running HobbyShow at four NSW scale model shows and observing the ScaleACT show, I have seen the same judging problems come up more than once. Keeping track of everything — not the decision-making itself — is where judging most often breaks down.
The problems to avoid
An entry can be missed, a whole category can be overlooked, an award may not be recorded, or a model can be sitting in the wrong category. These problems prolong judging and create mistakes when everyone is under pressure.
Judging starts before show day
Judges need a briefing before the show covering the rules, the standard being used, and how close decisions are handled. A short rubric gives each team the same starting point, while a shared feedback policy keeps entrant comments consistent.
Give one person the record
Teams of two are usually enough for a category, but one person should be responsible for recording the result, checking every entry has been considered, and making sure linked awards are complete. Without a named record keeper, each judge can assume someone else entered the outcome.
The final check
Before judges leave the hall, check entries with no result, categories with no completed judging, and awards with no winner. These are separate checks — a category can have placings recorded while a linked award is still blank. Catching a missing result then is usually a five-minute fix.