Strike Fighter

A simulation about appropriate understanding of the other party’s needs and methods of preparing and conducting efficient negotiations.
The game was inspired by a negotiation case within the US Army in the 90-ies. The need to replace the obsolete fleet of jetfighters and budget limitations forced the command to start off a government program called Joint Strike Fighter. The program was to lead to the creation of an ultra-modern jetfighter model to be used by all the army. American commanders had to reconcile the interests which were apparently impossible to accord as the chosen plane had to meet the needs of all the forces.
In 2009 Operation Strike Fighter™ won the first prize at the NASAGA Competition in the USA.
The players’ goal in the game is to choose one plane from 8 proposed models, but also to ensure that the model meets their requirements and standards, which will enable them to score the maximum amount of points.
The game consists of two parts: preparation and negotiations.
Before the negotiations start participants have access to different Information. Their positions are symmetrical – none is either stronger or weaker in comparison to the other two.
Players must setup their own negotiation strategy, decide which plane model suits them best and foresee the potential strategy of the two other forces.

• Negotiations – preparing for difficult talks and conducting negotiations, building negotiation strategy, defining one’s own negotiation objectives as well as partners’ objectives
• Leadership – big picture and long-term goals which may be difficult to notice, understanding others’ motivations and interests, solving problems, decision making
• Conflict management – how to cope in conflict situations, effective behavior in conflict situations, mediation
• Communication – rules of efficient communication, responsibility for the message, developing communication skills, ability to persuade and ask appropriate questions
• Teamwork – rules related to building a negotiation team, setting goals, task and responsibility delegation, improvement of team productivity, meaning of cooperation within and among teams

• Talent development programs
• Training programs for managers and specialists
• Employer Branding activities

Duration: 3 hours (+ debriefing and workshop)

Number of players: 3+

• Game mechanics reflect real negotiation and communication challenges that people face not only in business environment but in every conflict situation
• Helps to prepare for negotiations
• Raises awareness about the importance of the preparation phase in building negotiation strategy
• Practices the ability to make quick decisions during negotiations or difficult talks
• Shows the importance of recognizing partners’ needs in negotiation at different stages of the process
• Demonstrates challenges related to cooperation within and among strongly competing teams
• Raises awareness about the need to reconcile individual goals with organizational goals

We managed to score the best result in all the teams and I think that it was mainly thanks to good preparation to our talks with negotiation partners. I would like to thank again for the unforgettable emotions and for creating the opportunity to gain experience that will benefit in future.

I recommend for every team on each level of the organization.

This is a good experience for teams working in corporations where one of the challenges is to negotiate budget or project resources. Thanks to the game one can learn that collaboration is possible as well as reaching constructive conclusions. The individual goal is not necessarily at odds with group objectives.