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operations

Execution Cup

Per-capita task completion: the sharpest-executing team wins.

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Overview

Execution Cup is a team contest template for rewarding verified task completion over a fixed 14-day window. It is designed for department-level competition where the winning team is the one with the highest per-person task count, which keeps the standings fair when team sizes differ.

Use this template when you want to create a short, visible push for closing work, clearing backlogs, or driving consistent execution across departments. Because it uses the task.completed metric action, the score comes from actual completed work events rather than self-reported totals. That makes it a good fit for operational environments where task closure is already tracked and can be verified.

Do not use this template for external KPIs that the platform does not track, such as sales, steps, fundraising, or NPS. It is also not a good fit for open-ended leaderboards, because the contest needs a defined end date to create urgency and a clean winner. If your goal is cooperation rather than competition, or if ranking individuals would be inappropriate, choose a different format.

Execution Cup works best when the task definition is clear, the contest window is short, and the organizer explains how per-capita standings are calculated before launch. The result is a simple, repeatable way to spotlight execution without rewarding the biggest team by default.

Standards & compliance context

  • Because this template uses verified system events, it aligns well with Goodhart-resistant scoring and reduces the risk of rewarding untracked busywork.
  • Per-capita ranking is a fairer approach for mixed-size departments and is better suited to workplace contest design than raw totals alone.
  • Keep the contest cooperative in tone if works-council or employee-relations norms discourage individual public ranking.
  • Use clear eligibility rules and a fixed end date so the contest is transparent and does not function like an indefinite leaderboard.

General regulatory context for orientation only — verify current requirements with counsel or the relevant agency before relying on this template for compliance.

How to use this template

  1. 1. Define which completed tasks count toward the contest and confirm they are captured by the task.completed metric action.
  2. 2. Assign the contest to the relevant department teams and verify that per-capita scoring is enabled for fair standings.
  3. 3. Set the contest duration to 14 days and announce the start date, end date, and prize type before the first day begins.
  4. 4. Monitor the standings during the run so teams can see progress and correct any task-mapping issues early.
  5. 5. Review the final results at the end of the window, confirm the winning team, and share the bragging-rights recognition promptly.

Best practices

  • Use only verified task completions, not estimated activity, so the standings stay credible.
  • Explain the per-capita rule before launch so larger departments do not assume raw volume will decide the winner.
  • Keep the contest window short enough to feel like a sprint, not a permanent leaderboard.
  • Choose tasks that are meaningful enough to matter, but common enough that every entrant has a real chance to contribute.
  • Post standings on a predictable cadence so teams can adjust effort without needing constant manual updates.
  • Resolve task-definition disputes before the contest starts, because mid-contest rule changes undermine trust.
  • Celebrate the winning department publicly, but avoid shaming the lowest-ranked team.

What this template typically catches

Issues teams running this template most often surface in practice:

Teams discover that a few high-volume contributors can dominate unless the task list is broad enough for shared participation.
Departments sometimes realize their task data is inconsistently tagged, which makes some completions invisible in the standings.
Managers often need to clarify whether duplicate or reopened tasks count, because ambiguous task states create disputes.
Some teams start strong and then stall when the contest feels too long or the finish line is unclear.
Organizers sometimes overcomplicate the rules by adding too many exceptions, which makes the contest harder to trust.
A common issue is choosing tasks that are too rare, leaving most entrants with little chance to influence the outcome.
Another frequent finding is that public standings motivate execution best when the update cadence is predictable.

Common use cases

Warehouse Operations Sprint
A warehouse manager runs Execution Cup across picking, packing, and receiving departments to reward verified task closure per person. The contest highlights steady throughput without letting the largest shift team win by default.
Field Service Dispatch Push
A service operations lead uses the template to drive completion of assigned work orders over two weeks. Per-capita standings keep smaller crews competitive when workloads differ by route or territory.
Backlog Burn-Down for Support Ops
A support operations team uses the contest to close internal tasks tied to queue cleanup, documentation, and follow-up work. The visible finish line helps teams focus on verified completions instead of vague productivity claims.
Manufacturing Shift Challenge
A plant supervisor launches the contest across shifts to recognize completed tasks tied to line support and operational follow-through. The structure works well when the goal is to surface consistent execution without ranking individuals.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Execution Cup template actually track?

It tracks verified task completions using the task.completed scoring action. The standings are based on event count, then normalized per person so the contest stays fair across departments of different sizes. This makes it a good fit when you want to reward real execution, not self-reported effort.

Who should run this contest?

An operations lead, team manager, or program owner should run it, because the organizer needs to define the eligible task sources and review the standings during the 2-week window. It works best when one person owns setup, communication, and the final winner call. If departments already have clear task systems, the rollout is straightforward.

How often should Execution Cup run?

The built-in duration is 14 days, which matches the natural cadence of a short execution sprint. That is long enough for meaningful task volume and short enough to keep energy high. If you want recurring contests, run it as an episodic challenge rather than leaving it open-ended like a leaderboard.

Why is it per-capita instead of raw task count?

Per-capita scoring prevents large departments from automatically overpowering smaller ones. It makes the contest fair when team sizes differ and keeps the focus on execution density rather than headcount. That is especially important for department-wide contests where raw totals would bias the standings.

Can I use this for sales, calls, or other external KPIs?

Not in this metric mode if the platform already tracks the underlying work events. Execution Cup is designed for verified task completion, not manual entry of external numbers. For sales, fundraising, steps, or NPS, a manual contest would be the better fit because those metrics are outside the platform's native event tracking.

What are the most common setup mistakes?

The biggest mistake is using it for vague activity instead of clearly defined completed tasks. Another common issue is forgetting to confirm which task events count, which can create disputes about eligibility. A third pitfall is running it too long, which turns a contest into a leaderboard and weakens the finish-line effect.

How do I customize the template for our department?

You can tailor the eligible task sources, the department scope, the announcement copy, and the prize language while keeping the same scoring logic. If your team wants more collaboration, you can frame the prize as bragging rights or a team recognition moment. The core structure should stay focused on verified task completion per person.

How does this compare with informal recognition or ad-hoc shoutouts?

Ad-hoc recognition is useful, but it is easy to miss quieter contributors or reward the most visible people. Execution Cup creates a defined contest window, visible standings, and a clear finish line, so effort is easier to compare and celebrate. It is better when you want a repeatable program instead of one-off praise.

Can this be used across mixed-size teams without creating resentment?

Yes, that is one of the main reasons the template uses per-capita scoring. Smaller departments can compete credibly because the ranking reflects task completions per person, not just total volume. That said, the organizer should still explain the rules clearly so people understand how the standings are calculated.

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