A simulation using representative tasks designed to encourage effective inter and intra team organisation. The exercise is designed for a group split into three teams (departments) of 6- 8 members each. The teams must be in separate locations, linked by a telephone. Each department has six point scoring tasks and survival for the organisation (avoiding restructuring and redundancy) is achieved by reaching a set overall total. If this is not reached, the department to suffer will be the one scoring the least. Unknown to the teams, some of their tasks are of such a nature that another department could give dramatic assistance if only both parties were aware of it, and recognised the benefits of cooperation. The exercise needs between one and a half and two hours.

OBJECTIVE
The exercise creates a situation in which the dangers of inter-departmental separation and conflict can be contrasted with the advantages to be gained from co-operation. It will:

• expose the separatist attitude that often limits organisational effectiveness;
• illustrate how intra-group co-operation can benefit all;
• examine the role of the leader both inside the group and as an external communicator.

HOW IT WORKS
The tutor introduces the exercise and provides each team with a set of tasks and a room with a telephone in which to work. If the groups communicate intelligently with each other they will realise that the tasks - which each group otherwise tends to view strictly as its own affair - are in fact linked. Sometimes the solution of a problem by one group yields an item of data that enables another group to solve a different problem. Sometimes one group has equipment which, if its existence became known to others, can be employed to achieve results that would otherwise be impossible. Sometimes two groups have problems that they perceive as different only because they are presented in different words: in depth communication with another group reveals the similarity and allows the sharing of information and ideas. Sometimes one group has options about how it performs a task, and the option chosen makes a task in another group much easier to perform: in-depth communication reveals the possibility of co-operation. Sometimes a low value task given to one group (and ignored because of its low value) allows another group (once it is completed) to make progress on a very high value task. At the end of the time period the teams calculate their individual scores and the aggregate score for all teams competing. This total score is then examined to determine what improvements would have been possible had there been greater communication between teams.

PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DOING
Assessing six tasks that they are required to complete; matching those tasks to the abilities of the team members; making contact if desired with other teams; carrying out the task to the best of their ability.

FOR WHAT LEVELS IS IT APPROPRIATE?
All supervisors and general managers. Students of organisation and human behaviour.

INCUDED
Tutor manual; Materials; and all supporting documentation.

COST
£230 plus Vat and delivery.