I love hackathons. Locked up with the goal to solve a concrete puzzle within a specific deadline. No distractions, no meetings, no phone call – but stay focus to reach the goal. Never loose sight of the desired outcome, learn new things quickly and get things done so that the puzzle can be solved on time. Within the shortest time a prototype is developed and carry home many impressions and many learnings.
A hackathon (hack a thon – ‘hack’+marathon) according to Wikipedia is defined as:
A hackathon (also known as a hack day, hackfest or codefest) is a design sprint-like event in which computer programmers and others involved in software development, including graphic designers, interface designers, project managers, and others, often including domain experts, collaborate intensively on software projects.The goal of a hackathon is to create usable software or hardware with the goal of creating a functioning product by the end of the event.
Companies should promote hackathons, be part of it or organize internal and external hackathons. Hackathons are a lot different to how the work in a company happens – and they are a great occasion to promote innovation. What is so special about hackathons?
- Short and simple paths to solve a problem – no administrative barriers
- Try out something new – without any limitations or unnecessary presettings – learn new things quickly
- understand how something works – focus on the problem without disturbance. Probably an expert on side can suggest you new elegant ways to solve the puzzle
- find out quickly what does not work and what might work to solve a problem. This allows you to make a better estimation how long it will take to finish it properly
- focus without distraction
- learn to work in an agile way – when one way does not work, try another way, and so on until you find a way that works – and this in a very short time period
- leave you comfort zone and start the adventure hackathon – is it possible to solve the puzzle within the deadline?
I have participated at many hackathons, in Las Vegas, Berlin, Zürich,… I participate because at hackathons I love
- the overall contagious enthusiasm and the great spirit
- open minded people that are willing to learn new things
- to work with persistence to solve upcoming problems
- creativity: use the resources you have and can get to solve a problem in a short amount of time
- networking – meet new people and find partners that are strong in the areas where you aren’t
- getting things done
I participated as mentor at hackathons or organized company internal hackathons.
If I convinced you that a hackathon could something for your company and you want support taking this path, contact me!
P.S.: I am the president of the HackTheAlps organization that organized the hackathon at the probably most beautiful landscape from Europe. Convince yourself: