Rocket.Build 2024

Rocket.Build 2024 is finally here!

Join us for our annual hackathon that brings together a diverse community of innovators to push the boundaries of what's possible. Whether you're a coding wizard or have never written a line of code, we welcome all forms of creativity that align with Rocket’s values and drive us forward.

Previous years have brought forth transformative projects, from internal tools to customer-centric solutions. This year, we’re excited to see your boldest ideas for enhancing Rocket for our clients, partners, and the broader community.

Mark your calendars for September 25-26. Rocketeers, clients, partners, and students are all welcome to participate — either at one of our Rocket offices or online.

If you love to create, innovate, and change things for the better, get ready to dive into Rocket.Build 2024 — where ideas spark, ingenuity thrives, and fun is always on the agenda.

Introducing the Rocket.Build 2024 Themes

Rocket.Build is back, better than ever, and ready for another round of your creativity pushing the boundaries of possibility. After celebrating more than a decade of innovation, this year's event is set to empower and inspire tech enthusiasts from all backgrounds. Our focus on bolstering high-performance teams, Artificial Intelligence, and “Your Big Ideas” promise to shape Rocket.Build 2024 into a launchpad for industry-changing breakthroughs.

The three themes for 2024:

Team Excellence
Show us how your innovation can help build high-performing teams that:

Attract and improve quality talent
Increase employee satisfaction and retention
Make Rocket Software a workplace of top-tier challenges and rewards
Enhance the Rocket onboarding experience

Artificial Intelligence
What creative uses of AI can you develop to:

Advance the effectiveness of Rocket Software products and solutions
Improve customer experience and the collection of customer data
Create new opportunities with large language models
Optimize the performance of Rocket products

Your Big Ideas
Leverage diverse collaboration to show us how to advance:

The expression of Rocket’s Core values: Empathy. Humanity. Trust. Love.
The promotion of Rocket Software’s modernization solutions
Rocket’s position in the world as a leading modernization company
Opportunities for cross-product integration, including with newly acquired technologies
Involvement with our Customer Communities in identifying "Big Ideas"

Need more inspiration? Here are aspirations from Rocket Software’s Executive Team:

“It would be great to have personalized product demos for our website (as close to real time as we could get).  Visitors would enter their information and a current challenge, from a list of options we’d provide. Then they would receive a personalized demo. This could also be used at events with booth visitors.” -Barbara Goose, Chief Marketing Officer

“What if we could build a product that highlights the compatibility between the mainframe and the cloud?” -Bruce Bowden, Chief Financial Officer

“My wish is for tools that automate product upgrades and/or competitive replacements in order to streamline conversions.” -Jay Leader, Chief Customer Officer

Dear Customers & Partners:

Come and join us by collaborating with Rocketeers to work on cutting-edge projects that will shape the world of tomorrow. Connect with your Rocket colleagues or sign up to be introduced to new ones—either way, you'll be sure to have a one-of-a-kind experience. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to Rocket.Build!

Dear Students:

Ready to launch your career to the next level? Come join us at Rocket.Build on September 25 for the ultimate opportunity to upgrade your resume with mentorship from the experts at Rocket Software! Just register and we'll match you with the perfect Rocketeers — so don't miss out on this chance to shine!

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the project registration process work?	For this year, the project registration uses Jira ServiceDesk. Create a Project submission, filling all the field, and you will receive an email confirmation. After the registration period ends, all project submissions will be assessed (only to avoid duplicates, etc.) and cloned into Project issues in the Rocket.Build jira project (RB). This ticket then serves as your anchor for ideas, attachments, comments, and communication. You can still change team members after submission within your ticket. If you have any questions, or are not a Rocket employee, contact [email protected] and we will help you register.
How does the volunteer registration process work?	For this year, the volunteer registration uses Jira ServiceDesk. Choose a Volunteer submission, filling all the fields, and you will receive an email confirmation. The Rocket.Build team will contact volunteers and connect you to teams in need of support. If you have any questions, or are not a Rocket Employee, contact [email protected] and we will help you register.
How many people may be on the team?	Up to four: We encourage and hope teams can be formed within the regions so all four team members can enjoy being in person. However, we will allow some of the team members to be virtual. This limit is raised when there is external participation of a customer, partner, or student.
Who will judge the projects?	Teams will present live to local judges for a presentation time of five minutes. The finalists of the community Rocket.Build will present to the ELT who will pick the winner(s) of Rocket.Build 2024.
Will there be a final round?	Yes! One, two, or even three projects from each Community (depending on the size of the community) will get the chance to present their project to the ELT, who will pick the Rocket.Build 2024 winner(s).
What about the prizes?	This year will be receiving prizes along with bragging rights! More to come.
Will there be another Rocket.Build this year, e.g. in Boston?	This will be the only Rocket.Build competition of 2024.
I want to join, but don't have a team. Will someone help me find a team to join based on my skills?	Yes! The registration form allows you to register as volunteer, after which you (and your skills) will be matched with a suitable project.
Who is responsible for the logistics of each event?	The Rocket Software Community Connector Leader will handle the logistics of the local event.
I don't have development/tech skills. How can I participate?	Rocket.Build welcomes all ideas that serve the themes of Rocket.Build. If you have a great idea which you want to mature, that's enough! Find some teammates and GO! Or signup as a volunteer and we will help you find a team!
Will there be food?	Rocket.Build will take place in locations worldwide. For those attendees who can participate in-person, there will be food.
What country or time zone should I pick if my team spans multiple communities?	Please choose answers that relate to the team project leader.
Can I work on a feature that is on the roadmap for the Rocket Software product(s) I currently work on?	This is not the intention of Rocket.Build. We encourage teams to ideate beyond the roadmap. Dream big and think outside the box! Feel free to reach out to the Rocket.Build team for assistance if needed.
What if I have a great idea that does not really match one of the themes?	The themes are merely directional — and with some creativity, surely there is a connection to be made.
Can non-Rocket employees (customers, partners, contractors, interns or college students) participate in Rocket.Build?	Rocket.Build is open to Rocket customers, partners, contractors, and interns /students in the community, as long as they are part of a team led by a Rocket employee who can access necessary secured platforms and documents.
Who will judge the community events?	Community Connector Leaders will designate local judges for each community, assisted by the Rocket.Build team. Please reach out to the Rocket.Build team if you need help arranging for judges.
Can we work on Rocket.Build projects in advance of the "official date?"	No. To ensure fairness, teams are asked to only work on the projects during allotted event time.
How much time do we have to build or code?	The event will take place within two days: Day 1 (Sep 25th) will be a full day of coding; Day 2 (Set 26th) is when virtual presentations to the community will happen.
Do all team members of one team have to register?	No, only the designated project leader submits the project idea and lists the other team members. NOTE: if a person who is not a current employee of Rocket Software wants to register a project or volunteer, they must contact the Rocket.Build team at [email protected].
Can I be on more than one team?	We ask individuals to only pick one team to work with during Rocket.Build 2024.
What about my day job?	Rocket.Build is a special event because Rocket Software is setting aside this time and space for creativity and innovation. All participants are encouraged to plan ahead, clear their calendar, and put their “Out of Office” notification on so they can fully concentrate during the event: September 25 and September 26. (For Rocket Software employees, be sure your immediate supervisor is aware of your participation ahead of time.)
What if the Rocket.Build 2024 region my project is located in is far away and I cannot easily travel there?	With Rocket Software now being a work-from-home company with fewer offices worldwide, we realize it would be impossible to have everyone gathered at a location for this year's event. We will continue to strive for a Rocket.Build that is inclusive and allows everyone to be together in one place. In the meantime, you are welcome to participate virtually.
Will there be special equipment available at the event locations?	We will not be able to provide special or additional equipment at the locations. Please be sure to bring all equipment necessary to build — such as laptop, keyboard, mouse, power source, etc.
What are the judging criteria?	Quality of the Idea: Includes creativity and originality Implementation of the Idea: Includes how well the idea was executed by the developer Potential Value to Businesses: Includes the extent to which the idea can help businesses grow Potential Community Impact: Includes how impactful the idea will be as a driver for positive change within the community

As always, if you have any questions, you can reach out to us at [email protected].

Rocket.Build 2024