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Points & Rewards

dougw

I am always trying to think of ways to increase forum participation...

The points system is one of the reward systems on the forum.

For some members it doesn't mean much, but for some it is quite satisfying to reach the various point levels.

It is also a type of participation leaderboard, but to get to the top of the leaderboard currently requires amassing points at a significantly higher rate than the current leaders, and maintaining that pace for a long time. This is not really feasible for most, so it diminishes the incentive to try to top the leaderboard.

I think a useful way to increase the incentive provided by the points system would be to create a shorter term leaderboard - say points accumulated in the last 60 days. This would allow new members to have the possibility of making it onto the leaderboard. For those who find it to be an incentive to appear on the leaderboard, it would increase participation on the forum.

It is probably non-trivial to keep track of running totals for each member, but it may be similar to metrics already used to quantify forum momentum or it may have value along the lines of quantifying forum performance, in addition to providing more incentive to participate.

Are there other ways to leverage the points system to incentivize increased participation?

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  • I like adding a short term element.  I joined element14 about 5 years after many of the leaders.  When I look at my rank, there is no incentive to do anything to move up.  I only look to see if I've slipped considerably.

     

    To be honest, what keeps me loyal to e14 is Tariq being so kind to showcase my work in his examples or throw me a swag bag every-now-and-then.

     

    For the "short term" contributions, here's a similar structure I've applied at work:

     

    I made a web application called STEP (Specialized Training Engine for Professionals).  Employees are assigned competency guides in it within a matrix that lays out their entire career.  The types of activities go from Read Document, Discussion with an Incumbent, Hands On Skills Demonstration, Classroom, External Certification, etc.  Their training matrix is similar to a college course matrix (year of study on the left and competency type on top).  This provides them with one mobile device friendly page that summarizes and links every reference, procedure, and targeted experience they need to be a top performer throughout their career.  With the content arranged as such, it also has a laser sharp search engine at the top of the page.

     

    As engineers, specialists, and supervisors complete their training they get points weighted on the complexity of the training.  This, in turn, contributes to a Personal Growth Index, aka ranking.

     

    Here's where the short term element comes in:  they also get points for training others.  This allows folks to differentiate themselves once more and more reach the top.  However, those points are a moving 2 year target.  So, if someone has a good, energetic year to train the masses, they can't rest on their laurels for the rest of their career or they will fall behind their peers who are training the new folks currently.

     

    Just like any approach, your top 10 go-getters are the ones most motivated by the approach.  But, I'm pretty sure they would not be as motivated to train others without this differentiating them.  Particularly, since training others inherently raises the trainee's rank.

     

    See ya',

    Sean

  • in reply to Sean_Miller

    In a way the point system also helps those who answer questions. I started here long ago (in a far far place image) trying to answer questions. Why? I wanted to learn by looking everything up. After a while I noticed my points went up. To this day, I believe help and teach and ye shall be rewarded. Just my opinion. image  have found a different way to enjoy this site which is quite valid. The image thing is, we all find different ways to enjoy. That is what makes this such a great community! Go E14!

    Clem

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  • in reply to Sean_Miller

    In a way the point system also helps those who answer questions. I started here long ago (in a far far place image) trying to answer questions. Why? I wanted to learn by looking everything up. After a while I noticed my points went up. To this day, I believe help and teach and ye shall be rewarded. Just my opinion. image  have found a different way to enjoy this site which is quite valid. The image thing is, we all find different ways to enjoy. That is what makes this such a great community! Go E14!

    Clem

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