RocketCase Study

Improving Team Performance in University Software Engineering Courses Context

In upper-division Software Engineering courses, student teams design, build, and deliver semester-long software projects. Catch Up AI was used across three consecutive semesters to support collaboration, accountability, and timely project execution.

CustomerOverview

Client

Client

200 students total over 2 years (average ~60 students per course)

Team Size

Team Size

Teams of 4-6 students each

In upper-division Software Engineering courses, student teams design, build, and deliver semester-long software projects. Catch Up AI was used across three consecutive semesters to support collaboration, accountability, and timely project execution.

!Challenge

In previous semesters instructors observed:

  • Uneven workload distribution across teammates

  • Projects pushed to the end of the term (last-minute rush)

  • Conflicts surfacing too late for effective intervention

  • Lack of regular feedback loops and structured reflection

Challenge illustration
StarSolution

Catch Up AI was deployed to:

  • Facilitate weekly reflection and structured self-assessment

  • Surface early signals of disengagement, overload, and workflow friction

  • Encourage consistent collaboration habits and peer accountability

  • Provide instructors with team-level insights so they could coach selectively rather than micromanage

Students engaged with short weekly prompts and team feedback activities. Instructors accessed aggregated team dashboards to identify issues early and intervene only when needed.

Results (observed across three semesters)

  • More even workload distribution Teams self-balanced based on transparent progress signals.

  • Earlier milestone completion Steady progress replaced last-minute work.

  • Improved teamwork and communication More frequent, constructive interactions.

  • Higher engagement Significantly fewer inactive or "quiet" team members.

  • Reduced instructor overhead Instructors spent less time resolving conflicts and ensuring participation.

Instructor Feedback

We saw collaboration problems surface within weeks instead of months. With Catch Up AI, I didn't have to continuously handle conflicts or chase contributions — teams self-organized and I could focus on targeted coaching.

Student feedback

The tool made feedback feel neutral and safe.

Gamified elements encouraged consistent participation — it felt helpful, not punitive.

Summary

Deploying Catch Up AI in semester-long team projects led to earlier problem detection, better-distributed work, higher engagement, and reduced instructor intervention shortening the path from confusion to coordinated delivery.