The Challenge: The Consultant Trac ticket challenge was issued at the staff meeting on February 2. The challenge, the most *Valid* tickets submitted by a consultant by the end of the quarter wins a free lunch with me (I know, how exciting). Careful and scrupulous review of the data show a clear jump in the number of tickets issued (and resolved – thank you Techcons) as it appeared that many were clearly on the lookout for technical shortcomings in the Center.
Figure 1
General Results: In general there was a considerable increase in ticket activity from when the challenge was offered (middle of week 5), as can be seen in Figure 1. One cannot help to surmise that even given the occasional sandbag (see link at the bottom) by and large the Computer Center was the beneficiary of a heightened sense of vigilance regarding the state of the facility.
More to the point it appeared that Dylan and Ian went head to head on tickets from the get go. By week 7, ticket rates went back to historic norms. It is unclear at this point if this standard distribution was a result of pure exhaustion on the part of the consultants or because there just were no more problems or issues to be squeezed out of the Center – IOW everything was working perfectly.
Figure 2
Individual Results: It would appear that, after close review of the tickets and the elimination of one clearly invalid ticket, Dylan and Ian ended up in a dead heat for first place (Figure 2).
That said, Ian and Dylan and I will be heading out to lunch in the near future whenever it is convenient for them. Arrangements will be made. Thanks to all for a considerable net increase in proactive work and keeping the place working smoothly and happy week 10 of the quarter.