System and method for conducting competitions

Abstract

In general, in one aspect, a method for developing an asset by competition includes posting a list of competitions, each competition for the development of an asset, each element of the list including a reference to one of a number of workspaces, the one of the workspaces allocated to a respective asset. The method includes providing a draft competition specification in one of the workspaces. The method includes facilitating feedback from potential competitors on the draft competition specification in the workspace for a period of time prior to the competition. The method includes finalizing the draft competition specification based on the feedback from potential competitors, and holding a competition for the development of the asset.

1 . A method for developing an asset by competition, comprising:
 posting a list of competitions, each competition for the development of an asset, each element of the list including a reference to one of a number of workspaces, the one of the workspaces for a respective asset;   providing a draft competition specification in one of the workspaces;   facilitating feedback from potential competitors on the draft competition specification in the workspace for a period of time prior to the competition;   finalizing the draft competition specification using the feedback; and   holding a competition for the development of the asset.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the workspace comprises a wiki. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the feedback comprises changes to the specification. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein some of the competitions in the list are upcoming. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein some of the competitions in the list are active competitions. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the asset comprises a software component design, and the specification comprises a requirements specification. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the asset comprises an asset selected from the group of assets consisting of: software component, software component code, graphic design, architectural design, product design, product specification, article, creative work, essay, video, audio, multimedia work, and presentation;
 and wherein the specification comprises a description of the desired asset.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein facilitating feedback comprises facilitating feedback from potential competitors and administrators. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the list comprises a competition name, a planned competition start date, and the reference to the workspace. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reference to the workspace comprises a URL. 
   
   
       11 . A system for developing an asset by competition, comprising:
 a competition list comprising a list of competitions, each competition for the development of an asset, each element of the list including a reference to one of a number of workspaces, the one of the workspaces allocated to a respective asset;   a workspace comprising a draft competition specification and a facility for receiving feedback from potential competitors on the draft competition specification in the workspace for a period of time prior to the competition;   a competition system for holding a competition for the development of the asset using a specification that is based on the draft competition specification taking into account the feedback from potential competitors.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the workspace comprises a wiki. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the feedback comprises changes to the specification. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein some of the competitions in the list are upcoming. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the list comprises active competitions and upcoming competitions. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the asset is a software component design, and the specification comprises a requirements specification. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the asset comprises a graphic design, and the specification comprises a description of the desired asset. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the asset comprises a mechanical part design, and the specification comprises a description of the requirements for the desired asset. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the list comprises a competition name, a planned competition start date, and the reference to the workspace. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the reference to the workspace comprises a URL.