getting started

--- title: "How to get started fast" slug: "getting-started" type: "guide" excerpt: "A repeatable checklist for spinning up your first case competition experience without reinventing the wheel." difficulty: "intro" readingTime: 7 topics: ["teamwork", "planning", "presentation"] categories: ["guides"] publishedAt: "2024-03-05" updatedAt: "2024-03-22" ---

When you only have a few days, a lightweight plan beats perfect process. Use this checklist to get momentum in the first 24 hours.

Form your pod and align expectations

Pick teammates with complementary skills: research, synthesis, storytelling, and design. Align on working hours, decision making, and what success looks like.

Plan the first 24 hours

Break the brief into research streams such as market, customer, and operations. Assign owners and set a simple cadence for check-ins.

Get something on slides quickly

Templates reduce friction. Start with an agenda slide, a blank storyline, and a placeholder recommendation so you can pressure test the narrative early.

Rehearse earlier than feels comfortable

A first run-through will show gaps you would not see on the page. Treat rehearsal feedback like another data source.