How do I use the "Cohort Management" feature?

How does cohort management work? 

Cohort Management is a powerful and versatile feature within Startup Space designed to enhance community organization and streamline various processes. This tool was originally developed to provide a structured way of organizing community members into programs and groups, but its functionality has expanded to support a wide range of community-centric activities.

The Cohort Management feature is comprised of two main components:

1. Programs: These serve as the overarching structure or "housing" for related activities.
2. Cohorts: These are specific groups or sessions within a program. Multiple cohorts can exist within a single program.

Key features of Cohort Management include:

• Flexible organization of community members into programs and groups
• Management of grant processes
• Handling of intake applications
• Coordination of coworking procedures
• Facilitation of other structured workflows

One of the tool's strengths is its intake process. Intake forms can be attached to specific cohorts, allowing for a streamlined application process. These applications can then be reviewed using customizable rubrics or other evaluation methods. Reviewers have the option to accept, deny, or defer applications, providing a comprehensive system for managing participant selection.

Whether you're running an accelerator program, managing grant applications, or coordinating community events, Cohort Management offers a structured and efficient way to organize, evaluate, and manage your community initiatives. This tool empowers community managers to effectively oversee complex processes, track group-based activities, and streamline resource allocation within their Startup Space ecosystem.

How do I start using cohort management? 

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for setting up a cohort and associated application within the Startup Space platform. The process involves creating a program, setting up an application survey, and then creating or editing a cohort to include the application.

Key Steps:

1. Create a Program:
   • Navigate to 'Cohort Management' > 'Manage Programs'
   • Click 'Create New Program'
   • Provide name and location
   • Save the program
2. Create an Application Survey:
   • Use the Surveys feature to create your application
   • Follow the steps in the provided article to set up your application
3. Create or Edit a Cohort:
   • Navigate to 'Cohort Management' > 'Manage Cohorts'
   • Click 'Create New Cohort' or select an existing cohort to edit
   • Fill out the cohort details form

Cohort Details Form:

• Program selection (required)
• Survey selection (required for application setup):
  • Select your application title from the dropdown
• Cohort name (required)
• Meeting details (optional):
  • Start and end dates
  • Day of the week
  • Start and end times
• Description (optional)
• Prerequisites or requirements (optional)
• Meeting location (optional)
• Number of participants (optional)
• Industry specificity (optional)
• Additional information for applicants (optional)

When you've completed these steps, save your cohort to complete the process. If you would like to proceed with distributing your form or application:

• From the 'Manage Cohorts' dashboard, locate 'Copy Survey URL' next to the cohort
• Copy this link to send the application to potential members

Important Notes:

• Programs must be created before cohorts
• Surveys must be set to 'limit to one submission' or 'limit to one submission and edit' to be available for selection
• Many fields are optional, allowing for flexible cohort setup
• You can set up the application before finalizing all cohort details