1. Award Force Help Centre
  2. Configuring judging
  3. Common tasks

Configure comments for judges

Alex Bon Ami
Updated

Which judging modes support comments?

Your program may require judges to make comments on entries. This option is available on all judging modes:

  • Qualifying
  • Top pick
  • VIP judging
  • Voting
  • Gallery
Note: by default, comments are not shown to entrants. However, sharing comments with entrants can be configured in the form of a feedback round. This setting applies to all entrants and is not selective to some.

Configure judging comments

Judges can leave a comment(s) in two ways:

  • Overall comment on the entry; available on all judging modes
  • Comment on individual scoring criteria; available in VIP Judging only

To enable judges to leave a comment(s) on the overall entry using a comment box at the bottom of the page: 

  1. In the Manage workspace, go to Judging > Settings > Score sets
  2. Click on the Score set name
  3. Go to the 'Display' tab
  4. Under the 'Commenting' heading, select the Registered users can comment checkbox
  5. Click Save

You can also select Comment on entry required which will make comments on each entry mandatory before judging is considered complete.

Tip: judges can also include a file with their comments by clicking the file icon in the commenting area. 
Judge file upload icon in commenting

Accepted file types include .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .doc, .docx, .pdf, .xls, and .xlsx. 

To enable judges to leave a comment(s) on every scoring criterion:  

  1. Open the Manage workspace and navigate to Judging > Settings > Score sets
  2. Click on the Score set name
  3. Go to the 'Display' tab
  4. Under 'Commenting', check the Comments on individual scores invited box
  5. Click Save

You can also select Comment on individual scores required which will make comments on scoring criteria mandatory before judging is considered complete.

Note: when judges are scoring, there is an autosave about every 2-3 seconds. If a judge clicks Save + next before completing the required comment, a message will appear reminding them a comment is required but will still allow them to continue scoring other entries and save their scores. Their judging assignments will not be marked as complete until the comment is added, however.

Display (share) judging comments between judges

If you want judges to be able to see each others’ comments:

  1. From the Manage workspace, go to Judging > Settings > Score sets
  2. Click on the Score set you want to edit
  3. Open the 'Display' tab
  4. Under 'Commenting', select the Users can see each other’s comments on this score set checkbox
  5. Click Save
  6. Next, go to Settings > Users > Roles
  7. Choose the role for judges assigned to panels for this judging stage
  8. Click Advanced at the top of the page
  9. Set the Scores (others) View permission to Allow
  10. Save the role

Display comments on feedback view

  1. In the Manage workspace, go to Judging > Settings > Score sets
  2. Click on the Score set you want to edit
  3. Open the 'Display' tab
  4. Under 'Commenting', check the Display comments on feedback view box
  5. Save
  6. Configure a feedback round to see how this appears to entrants
Note: judging feedback comments can only be shared between judges in VIP judging.

Download judging comments

By default, only the program manager can download the judges' comments via the leaderboard.

  1. From the Manage workspace, navigate to Judging > Leaderboard
  2. Open the Export drop-down
  3. Hover your cursor over Scores + comments and select either Excel or CSV file

Your export file will be sent to your email with a link to the file when it’s ready. Depending on the size of the export, this may take a few minutes to appear. 

The Excel/CSV sheet will have a row for each judge and their comments and scores per entry.

Video overview

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