Exhibitions naturally motivate, without the need for a grade.  A looming speech focuses the mind like a good hanging (with apologies to Samuel Johnson.)

But how do you motivate someone to do their “best work” on the first, second or third draft of a multi-week project, without having a teacher assign a grade?

Here’s one way: Post a few examples of world class finished products (in this case, a travel itinerary and budget.)  Then ask students: “We are xx% finished with the time allotted for this project; are you xx% of the way to ‘the best work you can do’ at completion?”