Glossary

We use a lot of words to describe features in Award Force but we recognise it can be confusing if you're unsure what they all mean. This is a glossary of terms to help explain all these words.

Assignments

The association of an entry within a score set and a person that will judge the entry is referred to as an assignment. While assignments are automatically created when you create panels, you can also use Manual assignments or Random assignments to assign specific entries to specific judges.

Attachments

Attachments are files uploaded in support of an entry. You might refer to them as documents, files, supporting material or similar. 

Broadcast

A broadcast is an email that is composed and sent from within Award Force. These can be created throughout the admin area by clicking the Broadcast button at the top right. Read more in our dedicated Ultimate guide to broadcasts.

Category

Categories are used to group entries based on having a like set of entry requirements. Depending on your program's requirements, different categories may collect completely different information from entrants. Judging panels (groups of judges) can be created to judge specific categories. You can learn about creating categories here: Category configuration.

Chapter

Chapters are used to manage entries and judging arranged by a distinct classification, such as geographic area. You might have different entry dates by chapter, or a different set of categories. You can assign chapter managers to oversee entries and judges for a particular chapter. You may need to report on entries by chapter. And you can set-up judging panels (groups of judges) to judge specific chapters. Examples of chapters include states, regions, cities, countries, departments, business units and so on. See Chapter configuration for more information.

Chapters are an additional cost. If you'd like to know more or require a quote for chapters, please contact us here.

Content block

Content blocks are account-specific pieces of text content that can be placed amongst a specific set of content locations around the system. A content block typically provides supporting information for a given view or section of the system, in context. They are called blocks rather than pages, since we don't have manageable pages in Award Force, and blocks appear within part of a view. In some cases, there can be more than one content block in a view.

Content blocks can be created/edited at Settings > Content > Content blocks or by clicking on the small pencil icon found throughout the platform. For information about content blocks check out these guides: Content block locations and Content configuration and management. 

Content term

Terms are text labels that can be changed. For example, the word 'Entry' is a term which can be changed to  'Application' or 'Submission'. This is done at Settings > Content > Terms; see: Configuring terms.

Division

Divisions break a category into smaller groups of entries for judging purposes. This can be useful when there is a large number of submitted entries in one category.

Entrant

An entrant is a user who submits an entry or nomination for judging.

Entry

Entries are what your users create, to be judged. You might also refer to them as nominations, projects, submissions, or applications for example.

Field

Fields are input areas which are required to build the entry form. There are several options like text areas, drop-downs, radio buttons, country etc. These can be created and managed using the form editor. To learn how to create fields, check out this article: Field configuration.

Gallery

A visually appealing display of all the submitted entries. To configure a Gallery, follow the steps outlined in the Gallery configuration guide. 

Leaderboard

The leaderboard shows the results from judging, whether it be scores, total votes, or a decision of pass/fail. The leaderboard offers several export options. For more information on the leaderboard, take a look at this guide: Ultimate guide to the judging leaderboard.

Notification

Notifications are automated messages (email or SMS) sent from Award Force. They include the registration confirmation email and the entry submitted email. These can be customised from the Manage workspace at Settings > General > Notifications. See: Ultimate guide to notifications.

Panel

A panel defines who judges what and when. Panels are created at Judging > Settings > Panels or from the Judging fast start. To learn more, take a look at these guides: Create a judging panel and Utilising the Judging fast start.

Review flow

Review flow is an automated process which allows individuals or organisations specified on an entry form to be contacted to review an entry. They can be configured in the Manage workspace at Review flow > Settings. Please refer to the Review flow overview to learn more.

Role

A set of permissions that allows a user to perform specific tasks. For a breakdown of the default roles available in Award Force and instructions on creating custom roles, see Ultimate guide to user roles.

Round

Defines the dates for when entry, judging, and feedback will take place. For instructions on how to configure a round, check out our guide: Round configuration.

Score set

Refers to a distinct "collection" of scores, which are formed into a summary table (leaderboard). Score sets are created at Judging > Settings > Score sets or the Judigng fast start. Learn more in our dedicated guides: How do score sets work? and Configure score sets.

Scoring criteria

Scoring criteria are the standards by which entries are judged. Judges input their score into the scoring criteria which then appear on the leaderboard as an average score. At least one scoring criterion is required when using the VIP Judging mode. These are created at Judging > Settings > Scoring criteria. For instructions on how to configure scoring criteria, follow the steps outlined in our Scoring criteria article. 

Season

Season refers to the cycle of an award, very often an annual cycle, but our season feature allows any number of seasons per year. A single season contains all category, entry and judging configuration, and all entry and judging data. When starting a new season, previous season data is archived but still available. Entry and judging configuration can be revised from one season to the next. Seasons can only be sequential, they cannot overlap. Seasons can be found in the Manage workspace at Settings > General > Seasons. You can learn more about seasons here: New season guide and checklist.

Slug

A slug is a unique identifier for a data record. It's in an eight-character alpha-numeric format, such as Sw1if6eY. It differs from the more common name 'ID' (also used in the software) which is normally numeric and sequential. Read more: What is a slug?

Tab

Tabs at like pages of your entry form and provide a visual separation of questions. To learn how to create a tab, see our guide: Tab configuration.

Tags

Tags are a way to group entries together for a purpose, be it for judging, communication, or even just for record-keeping. For more information, check out this article: Tag entries.

Theme

The colour-scheme and images used by an Award Force program. Read more: Theme configuration guide.

Top pick

A judging mode that allows judges to rank their preferences. Winners are calculated using the single transferable vote (STV) system. To learn how to configure Top pick, see our guide: Top pick configuration.

User

An individual who uses the Award Force system. They can have one or more roles such as entrant, judge, program manager, or guest roles. 

VIP judging

Voting

A judging mode that allows users to vote for their preferred entries. Instructions for configuring a voting stage for your account can be found in our dedicated guide, Voting configuration.

Workspace

The Award Force platform is broken into different views called workspaces for program management, the creation and submission of entries, and the evaluation of entries for user clarity, workflow, and experience based on assigned roles.