The Final Verdict

Stages and Timelines

Round 1 – HR Quiz

The first round will be a quiz designed to test participants' HR knowledge, decision-making ability, workplace understanding, and adaptability.

Format:

• The quiz will consist of 30 questions.
• The quiz will be attempted collectively by each team.
• All participating teams will take the quiz simultaneously.
• Questions may cover HR concepts, workplace situations, decision-making, and practical HR scenarios.
• Teams must complete all 30 questions within the allotted time.
• The quiz will be conducted within 10 minutes.

Time:

- 10 minutes total

Scoring and Shortlisting:

• Teams will be ranked based on the number of correct answers.
• In case of a tie, accuracy and time taken may be considered as tie-breakers.
• The Top 5 teams will qualify for the Final Verdict.
• The remaining teams will be eliminated after Round 1.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Accuracy of answers
• Understanding of HR concepts
• Practical application of HR knowledge
• Decision-making ability

Round 2 – The Final Verdict (19 September)

Qualified Teams:

- Top 5 teams from Round 1

The Final Verdict is the final and most challenging round. It will test participants' ability to analyse an HR situation, develop a practical solution, and respond effectively when an unexpected crisis changes the situation. It will be organized at NMIMS Indore Campus (Offline).

Stage 1: The HR Crisis

All finalist teams will be given the same workplace situation. The case will require teams to prepare an HR solution and an implementation strategy.

Teams must decide:

• What should the HR policy/solution include?
• How should it be implemented?
• What challenges may arise?
• How should employees be informed?
• What practical steps should HR take to address the situation?

Time for Preparation:

- 10 minutes

Stage 2: The Twist

After the teams prepare their initial solution, the host will introduce an unexpected development. The draft policy or proposed HR decision has been leaked before its official announcement, creating confusion and employee concerns.

Teams may receive additional crisis information such as:

• Employees are unhappy with the proposed policy.
• Some employees claim that HR did not consult them.
• Employees are demanding immediate clarification.
• Rumours and misinformation are spreading internally.

Stage 3: The 1-Minute HR Response

This is the surprise element of the Final Verdict. Each team will get only 1 minute to decide and revise its response.

Teams must decide:

• What is HR's immediate response?
• What will HR communicate to employees?
• Will the policy be continued, modified, or withdrawn?
• What is the immediate action plan?

Teams must quickly adapt their original strategy and prepare their final response.

Stage 4: Final Defence

Each team will present:

• Their original HR solution
• What changed after the twist
• Their immediate response to employees
• Their final decision
• The reasoning behind their decision

Presentation Time:

- 3 minutes per team

Judge Question:

• After the presentation, the judges will ask one surprise question.
• Each team will get approximately 1 minute to respond.

Total Time:

- Approximately 25–30 minutes for the complete Final Verdict, including instructions, the policy-leak twist, presentations, and judge questions.

Judging:

- Faculty Judges / Members of Club

Evaluation Criteria:

• Quality of the original HR solution
• Ability to adapt after the twist
• Crisis management
• HR reasoning
• Practicality of the final decision
• Communication and confidence
• Response to the surprise question

General Guidelines

• Teams must consist of 2–3 participants and should remain unchanged throughout the competition.
• Participants are expected to follow the instructions given by the organizing committee and event coordinators.
• All teams must report at the venue before the scheduled start of the respective round.
• Participants must carry any required stationery or materials as instructed by the organizing committee.
• The organizing committee may provide additional instructions before each round to ensure smooth conduct of the game.
• The decision of the organizing committee and judging panel will be final and binding in all matters concerning the competition.

Note: The exact venue schedule, reporting time, and any round-specific operational instructions will be communicated by the organizing committee.