If you’ve spent time exploring the Wutawhacks community—whether you’re a coder, hacker, or student innovator—you’ve probably heard of wutawhacks columns. These columns are more than just structural content in hackathons or event data—they represent a smart way of organizing, displaying, and sharing information that empowers teams to stay focused and efficient during tech events.
In this article, we’ll explore what wutawhacks columns are, how they work, and why they matter. Whether you’re a participant in a hackathon or a curious observer, this guide will give you a deeper understanding of how these columns help drive productivity and clarity in collaborative coding environments.
Table of Contents
What Are Wutawhacks Columns?
Wutawhacks columns refer to the structured layout used within Wutawhacks hackathons and platforms to categorize and organize data—typically seen in project dashboards, submission portals, or mentor-mentee systems. These columns are often based on kanban-style project management frameworks, providing participants a visual and logical way to track progress, roles, and resources.
In many cases, these columns include labels like:
- To-Do
- In Progress
- Completed
- Judged
- Mentorship Requests
They serve both as a project tracker and a communication tool for teams and event organizers.
Why Wutawhacks Columns Matter
The structure of wutawhacks columns isn’t just for aesthetics. There are key reasons this layout is widely used and recommended:
1. Improves Project Visibility
When you’re in a 24- to 48-hour hackathon sprint, time is of the essence. Having a clearly laid-out column system allows every team member to instantly know what needs to be done, what is being worked on, and what has been completed. This minimizes redundant work and speeds up collaboration.
2. Supports Real-Time Collaboration
In many Wutawhacks events, participants work from different locations. The column system ensures everyone stays on the same page—literally. Cloud-based boards with drag-and-drop features mean tasks can be updated in real time, promoting agile development.
3. Guides Judges and Mentors
Judges and mentors often use these columns to monitor progress or step in with assistance. Columns like “Need Help” or “Waiting for Review” give external viewers a fast way to understand team status without needing constant updates.
4. Provides a Seamless Handoff
Once a project is completed, the column-based record offers a documented process of development. It’s easier to present your workflow to judges or carry the project forward post-event.
Key Components of Wutawhacks Columns
To get the most from wutawhacks columns, it’s important to understand how they’re typically structured. While different events may tweak their setups, here are the most common column categories and their purposes:
To-Do Column
This is where ideas, tasks, or features that need implementation are listed. It’s the starting point of the project workflow. Teams often list user stories or bugs in this section.
In Progress Column
Once a task is picked up, it moves here. This column gives a real-time snapshot of ongoing work, helping teammates avoid overlap or duplication.
Completed or Done Column
After successful implementation and internal testing, tasks are moved here. It signifies completion but not necessarily the final delivery—usually, further validation is needed.
Judging/Review Columns
Specific to hackathons like Wutawhacks, these columns help segregate projects that are ready for final review. It signals to mentors or judges that the team is ready for feedback or scoring.
Mentorship or Help Request Columns
Some hackathons include a column dedicated to mentorship or issue reporting. Participants can use these to request guidance, which helps mentors prioritize their time effectively.
How to Use Wutawhacks Columns Effectively
Knowing about wutawhacks columns is one thing—using them smartly is another. Here are some practical tips to get the most out of them during your next hackathon:
1. Assign Ownership Clearly
Each card (task) should have an owner. Even if the task is collaborative, assigning responsibility helps ensure follow-through.
2. Use Labels and Tags
Color-coded labels for things like “UI,” “Backend,” or “Bug” can help quickly classify tasks and filter based on priority or department.
3. Keep Descriptions Concise
Cards within the columns should contain short, actionable descriptions. Add links to related files or mockups to avoid confusion.
4. Update Regularly
A column system only works if it’s updated. Teams should make a habit of moving tasks across columns in real-time or during brief sync meetings.
5. Leverage for Final Presentation
Use the completed column or the entire board as part of your project demo to show how your team approached problem-solving and task division.
Real-World Example: Wutawhacks 2024 Dashboard
At Wutawhacks 2024, teams were encouraged to use the built-in dashboard with integrated wutawhacks columns. The platform featured columns for:
- Idea Pitches
- Team Formation
- Development Progress
- Mentorship Requests
- Final Submission
The result? Better team coordination and quicker mentor turnaround time. More than 80% of participants reported improved project flow thanks to this structure.
Conclusion
Wutawhacks columns aren’t just boxes on a screen—they’re an intelligent framework that reflects modern project management at its best. Whether you’re building a fintech app, an AI chatbot, or a game in 36 hours, these columns help you think clearly, collaborate effectively, and stay organized under pressure.
If you’re planning to attend a hackathon or organize one yourself, adopting the column model from Wutawhacks can significantly boost both productivity and participant satisfaction.
FAQs
Q1: Are wutawhacks columns only used during the hackathon?
No, while they are most active during the event, teams often set them up during pre-event planning and keep using them afterward for post-hackathon development or deployment.
Q2: Can I customize wutawhacks columns?
Absolutely. While most events offer a default template, participants can customize columns to fit their project needs, such as adding “UI Design” or “Database Setup” columns.
Q3: What tools support wutawhacks columns?
Most teams use platforms like Trello, Notion, or the built-in Wutawhacks dashboard that supports drag-and-drop columns and real-time collaboration.
Q4: Do judges really check these columns?
Yes! Judges often review columns to understand project development and how teams collaborated. It helps them assess not just the end result, but the process behind it.
Q5: Is it mandatory to use wutawhacks columns during the event?
While not always mandatory, it’s highly encouraged. Using the official Wutawhacks column structure can help streamline communication and make your project more presentable.
