• (i). By the Local Organising Committee (LOC):

  The TD’s performance at an event is reviewed and assessed from the beginning of their appointment by the LOC. This assessment covers a variety of technical aspects throughout the planning and staging of the event, which are broken down chronologically into the following phases:

  • Pre-event;
  • Event Week;
  • During the Event;
  • Post Event; and
  • Overall conduct.

  The LOC uses a standard assessment form to evaluate their TD, which is submitted to the World Triathlon Sport Department post-event.

• (ii). By the Team Leader / By the World Triathlon Project Manager (as applicable):

  Similar to the assessment that is being conducted by the LOC, when a Team Leader is appointed at an event (World Triathlon events only), he/she needs to conduct an assessment for their TD, following the same assessment protocol mentioned above.

b) Assessment of the Assistant Technical Delegate (aTD) by the TD:

Assessment of the aTD by the TD enables the plan for the aTD’s personal development and provides feedback to the World Triathlon on the mentorship program and the Assistant Technical Delegate’s appointment program. Since 2015, the assessment focuses on the official’s qualities listed below:

• Communication;
• Responsibility;
• Comprehension; and
• Adaptation.

The Technical Delegate for each event is responsible for performing this assessment.

c) Assessment of International Technical Official (ITO):

Similar to the aTD’s assessment process, the World Triathlon through the assigned TD, conducts an assessment of the International Technical Officials who are selected and appointed to the highest level of World Triathlon events. The qualities of the ITO that are assessed are the same as those for the aTD’s assessment protocol.

d) Assessment of Technical Officials:

The Technical Delegate for each event is required to submit to World Triathlon a post-race report as a way of transferring the knowledge gained during the event. A component of this report is an evaluation of the team of TOs. Each TO is individually assessed based on their performance at their respective positions. This evaluation is numerical from 1-5 and it does not include the analytical form that is being used for TDs, aTDs or ITOs.

e) TD’s feedback on World Triathlon management:

Through a number of pre-event and post-event conference calls between the TD and World Triathlon Sport Department, the World Triathlon TD is given the opportunity to provide constructive feedback on the management of the World Triathlon event. This feedback is valued and is taken into consideration during the annual events planning process.

g) Assessments’ evaluation:

Following the assessment of all TOs and submission of the assessments to the World Triathlon Sport Department, there is a filtering process in place for this information and this is the stage where it is decided whether further follow up is needed with the technical official in question, or not. In the case that more clarification is needed about a TO’s performance, a meeting is scheduled in order to discuss and decide on an action plan or development pathway for the technical official in order to strengthen the official’s competencies.

h) Assessment Process:

The assessment process is followed for all World Triathlon Events.

The process involves both assessment and feedback not just on an individual TO’s performance on the field of play, but also and especially for Technical Delegates on the preparation before and after the event.

The assessment and feedback process is not set up to negatively criticize, intimidate or scare TOs, but rather to assist in their personal development as a TO and to assist the World Triathlon to maintain and improve standards of officiating at its events. Some people fear assessment and feedback because of previous negative experiences, fear of failure, lack of confidence, high expectations or overestimation of the level of performance required. This can affect the performance of a TO and may result in a distorted picture of the TO’s real ability.

As the assessment and feedback process can be stressful for some TOs (both the assessed Technical Official and the assessor) we use the following guidelines to reassure those being assessed and assessing:

• (i). We respect the rights of TOs to have views that may differ from the assessor’s;
• (ii). We recognize the Technical Official’s feelings by showing consideration and regard;
• (iii). We evaluate performance, not personality;
• (iv). We communicate clearly, effectively and in a friendly manner;
• (v). We use the assessor’s own words and not what’s reported;
• (vi). We ensure the Technical Official is informed they will be assessed and against what criteria.

The assessment and feedback process endeavours to empower TOs to develop a cooperative relationship. Although ultimately, the assessor must make a decision on performance, both parties are involved in as much of the process as possible.

The result is that the TO can take a more realistic view of their own level of competence as they have received feedback. Self-assessment is also a great method for the TO to explain their level of knowledge or performance. This is gauged by asking the TO how they think they performed at the event(s). The emphasis is on communication and participation.