An inter team exercise in which each team must build an item fit for the purpose, determined by the tutor, concealing their intentions from competing teams while trying to deduce the other competitors intentions. The example used in the tutor manual is loosely based on the historical affair of the Iraqi Supergun. The teams take the role of military advisors seeking to increase their capability by acquiring hardware and expertise, importing these in defiance of restrictions and concealing their intentions from others. The situation can easily be adapted to similar situations in which 'conception' and 'deception' are required. The exercise is designed for teams of 4-8 members each with as many teams as the tutor requires. The exercise will last from between 2 to 3 hours .

Objective

The exercise will facilitate teambuilding and creative thinking by:

• giving teams considerable freedom in deciding the specific item to be built; 
• providing an environment where additional skills are required e.g. scavenging and espionage; 
• removing the normal restrictions attached to the working environment.

How it works

The tutor introduces the exercise and explains that the task of each team is to replicate a specific capability (chosen by the tutor in advance). The tutor will need to set the boundaries of the exercise e.g. the company will reimburse you for expenses up to a maximum of 'X' and tell the teams how long they have to complete the task. The teams will then consider how they intend to represent the capability and how best to achieve this while maintaining maximum secrecy. Once the allotted time has elapsed each team is given the opportunity to convince competitors why its product is an accurate representation of the real thing. Teams are awarded scores if their competitors consider their item is a true representation and if they manage to successfully guess competitor items before they are unveiled. A plenary de-brief session looking at team work and how to encourage creative thinking in the workplace can follow.

What participants will be doing

Creating a model representation of a capability. Preventing other teams from discovering what they are doing, while themselves trying to discover the nature of the other teams activities.

For what levels is it appropriate?

All managerial levels and team groups.

Included

Tutor manual; Forms for recording objectives; Declaration; and all supporting documentation

Cost

Users will need to set their own additional budgets if they intend to allow teams to purchase materials.

Consultancy Version

Devise and Deceive can be purcahsed as a consultancy packge for use at a conference or one day event. The consultancy package includes a copy of the packaged game, tutor backup on the first day the exercise is used and a customised scenario.

The additional cost of this option for a one day event is in the region of £400.00 plus VAT and expenses. For further details please contact us using the consultancy option on the right.