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Feature Pledging

Feature Pledging is your team’s chance to recognize good design, show professional judgment, and influence grading through a real, binding agreement. Think of it as a project marketplace: teams can “invest” in features they believe will be done well — and gain respect for both good ideas and good judgment.

When and How You Can Pledge

Feature pledging happens only in person, and only during specific moments of designated classes. The tutor will announce the exact time window. Outside that window, no new pledges or changes are allowed.

Conditions for a Valid Pledge

A pledge becomes official only when:

  1. The pledging team agrees by majority vote.
  2. The receiving team agrees by majority vote.
  3. The tutor approves the pledge.
  4. Both teams sign a paper contract (kept by the tutor).

Once signed, the pledge is binding — it cannot be withdrawn later. If the pledged feature’s issue description changes, the pledge becomes null. All such changes must appear in the issue comments and be acknowledged in writing by both sides.

Evaluation

When the pledged feature is delivered, it will be:

  1. Evaluated by the pledging team, based on how well it meets the description and intent.
  2. Reviewed and approved by the tutor, acting as a “standards committee” — confirming that the judgment and process were fair and professional.

Penalty Clause

The tutor may, at their sole discretion, subtract the pledged points from either or both teams if any of the following occur:

  • unprofessional, unethical, or manipulative behavior,
  • hidden or misleading changes to pledged issues,
  • failure to respect the agreed process,
  • pressure or coercion between teams.

This ensures that pledging remains a trust-based professional exercise, not a point-trading game.

Danger

The tutor’s decision on penalties is final. Integrity is worth more than points — keep the process transparent and fair.

Why Pledge?

Pledging is about recognizing value — and about your professional reputation. It rewards clear communication, mutual respect, and sound engineering judgment.

Sell your project

Make others want to pledge for you. Present features that are clear, valuable, and realistic — that’s how real teams attract investment.

Be a smart pledger

Pledge only for features you believe in. The tutor will consider how professionally you handled every step — negotiation, communication, evaluation — when grading.

Big picture

Teams who handle pledges responsibly show maturity, reliability, and collaborative skill — qualities that directly influence the final grade.