Ameren IdeaHack 2017 Rules
October 18 and 19
As Ameren IT continues our journey towards the Utility of the Future, finding ways to work smarter and more efficiently is becoming an extremely critical component of our success. IdeaHack 2016 focused on the broad problem surrounding the execution of a continually increasing work load. This year, the focus will be more narrowed on a specific solution to this overarching challenge. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is the application of technology that allows our coworkers to configure computer software, which in this case is the "robot", to work with existing applications in processing repetitive transactions, manipulating data, communicating, and performing many other tasks with the goal of automation.
1. Overview
The IdeaHack is designed to gain insight around solutions for automating a business process utilizing an RPA tool.
RPA Solutions will be proposed by the AMS business lines i.e, Safety, Continuous Improvement, ASC, Finance, Audit, HR, etc.
Each team will select one of the proposed solutions and work to automate a portion of the process.
Subject Matter Experts on RPA will be on-hand throughout the event to answer questions.
Event Participation will take place on October 18 at the Ameren Hub with finalist judging and announcement of the final top winners on October 19.
In these Official Rules, the term “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Ameren IT and the term “you” refers to you, the entrant, both as an individual and as part of your team.
The IdeaHack is sponsored and administered by Ameren IT
2. Eligibility
The IdeaHack is open to all Ameren IT employees.
Contractors are not eligible for participation.
3. Registration and Check-in
In order to participate in the IdeaHack, you must register at http://ameren-ideahack2017.devpost.com/ by October 6
Participants should sign-up individually on DevPost. This is necessary to get an accurate head count. Please include the following information during signup.
Whether you are part of a pre-selected team (and name of team) or an individual participant.
Polo size request.
On the day of the event, teams will have to 'Enter a submission' on DevPost. This is where you create a Placeholder for the Project your team will be submitting the next day. You don’t need to enter details of the project at this point (put TBD), but you have to include the names of the all your team members s when you create the placeholder. This has to be done before INSERT TIME/DATE
The next day, one hour before the judging begins (11 am) all teams must have had their projects submitted on Devpost. This is when teams should go back and update the placeholders with details of the project. Submissions after this deadline will not qualify for judging.
All teams must have only ONE submission in DevPost.
A maximum of six eligible individuals will be permitted per team.
There will be business line representative available throughout the event that will act as an SME for the processes.
You will not be allowed to switch teams, or add team members after the start of the event.
4. Entry
A team may only submit one entry presentation. Your Entry consists of:
Your solution must include:
1. Business Solution
2. Business Case
3. Money saved
4. Hours saved
5. What can the hours saved be used for
6. Demonstrated prototype or "wire frame"
7. A 6 minute presentation
A computer and screen will be available to all presenters.
There is not a required format for presentations
Entries will be scored on a rubric containing 4 categories: (a) Business/Employee Impact; (b) Prototype Functionality; (c) Innovation; and (d) Creative Presentation.
Entries can focus on a single rubric category or contain elements of multiple.
5. Judging
Eligible Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges. Judges may be employees of the Organizer or external and may change before or during the Judging Period.
Judges will evaluate each Entry based primarily on the demo according to the following Judging Criteria, each of which will be scored on a scale of between 0 to 10 points: (a) Business/Employee Impact; (b) Prototype Functionality; (c) Innovation; and (d) Creative Presentation. In the event of a tie, judges will deliberate to determine the winner.
There will be a winner for the Business/Employee Impact, the most innovative/creative presentation and then an overall Grand Champion.
8. Prizes
Category Winners
All members of the winning teams will be eligible to win various giveaways including cash gift cards and assorted prizes.
Grand Prize Winners
$1000 will be awarded each participant on the winning team.
All Participants
Every participant is eligible to receive spot prizes throughout IdeaHack.
Side Prizes
1 hour Ideation Event
Highest Team Spirit
People's Choice Award
9. General Terms
This event is being hosted for Ameren IT employees. As the event is being held during the week and during normal business hours, all participants are subject to all of Ameren's policies, including, but not limited to policies pertaining to information, behavior, and security.