A COMPLEX AND ENGAGING TASK REQUIRING COMMUNICATION,
PERFORMED UNDER TIME PRESSURE
SYMBOLS
- 2 - 3 hours (+ discussion)
- 9 + participants
The participants’ task is seemingly simple: to arrange a pattern on a large board, the elements of which are scattered among the participants. On time. With the best possible result. Scattered information, incomplete knowledge of the solution, organizational chaos make the task seem initially impossible for participants to do, despite its apparent simplicity.
Each participant gets a number of magnetic cards with a unique pattern on them. Each piece fits into a specific spot on a large board. There is only one possible way to arrange each card on the board and one attempt to arrange the entire pattern at the end of the planning stage. Participants cannot show their cards or exchange them – they can only rely on the quality of verbal communication, which should enable them to solve the task. At the end, fighting against time, they must arrange the entire pattern correctly. This is a complex and immersive task requiring communication, performed under time pressure.
Application:
- Designing an effective communication system
- Managing communication
- Seeking solutions amidst uncertainty
- Wychodzenie poza schemat
- Effective cooperation
- Taking responsibility for the end result
- Working under time pressure and uncertainty
Benefits for the organization:
- Complex and immersive task requiring communication, performed under time pressure.
- It prepares teams to work in a competitive environment and increase their effectiveness under difficult conditions.