Teamwork, Influencing, leadership, communication, problem solving
Simulation Game Overview
In the Tower of Babel one or more project teams are invited to bid for the relocation of an ancient six-story tower that has to be moved under strict conditions and costs in a foreign environment. To get teams started each receives a detailed Invitation to Tender and company data pack.
Learning Outcomes
Project Management - The Tower of Babel is a project that requires detailed planning, estimating and forecasting. It graphically illustrates the need for sound contingency planning as the project unfolds revealing the potential dilemmas confronting the team.
Leadership and Team Working - In the early stages of a new project there is usually confusion as the team define the objectives and structure of the project, ensure everyone knows what their role is and that they feel a valid member of the team. Everyone has a role and responsibility in The Tower of Babel; failure by the leader to realise this means optimum performance will not be achieved.
Negotiation and Motivation - As the project progresses, competing teams realise that unless they collaborate with another team they will invoke punitive clauses within their contract. Unless they achieve a win-win agreement one team will inevitably fail to display the necessary level of commitment for the project to be a total success.
Delegation - The task is complex and in the early stages, unless it is systematically broken down into manageable, delegated chunks, some team members will be idle, while others busy themselves with a mountain of work and an increasing battle against time.
Team Coaching & Training - Team and individual learning is a fundamental requirement as this simulation progresses and the team's responsibility to manage this becomes central to their success.
How it works
This highly flexible simulation can be run in a variety of ways dependent on the facilitator's objectives:
Time Trials - is the quick and dirty version ideal for conferences and multi task team building events and can be completed in 1½ hours.
The Standard Version - is a great half day simulation ideal for workshops developing leadership, management and team working.
Team Merger - can last for up to six hours with debriefing and extends the learning into project management, performance management, negotiation, delegation, risk management and team-coaching.
The Customer Focused Team - this version will accommodate the Standard or Team Merge format as the main learning vehicle, but with a subtle twist emphasises the need to establish what the customer really wants, rather than just what they say they want, or what you think they want.
Stage one requires the teams to manage the influx of new information and agree a common understanding of the project requirements. They must then break the project down into manageable chunks and roles and establish the most efficient method for relocating the tower, on time and to budget. Only then are teams in a position to cost the project and draw up a preliminary tender document. During this stage they also need to qualify their client's expectations and clarify the constraints they will be expected to work within prior to finally presenting their tender.
Past this point the simulation takes the teams on a variety of learning journeys depending on the version being played.
- A team member may return from a visit to the Tower site to reveal that they now know what the customer really wants and a rework of the tender becomes essential. A competing team completely misses the signs and returns oblivious to the missed opportunities.
- Another team is faced with a major manpower dilemma that can only be resolved by negotiating favourable terms with what was a competitor.
- Local politics and culture forces another team to divert valuable resources, time and effort into a previously undisclosed task that has to be completed before they can gain access to the Tower.
- Before a team can progress they have to train and motivate a team that has just been told they failed to win the contract, a classic example of winning hearts and minds.
Contents
A complete set of materials for delivering The Tower of Babel includes:
• A Six section tower & location discs
• Dice
• Blindfolds
• Challenge Cards
• Detailed 45 page Facilitators Guide with step by step instructions
• CD with all the briefing packs, facilitator process guides and support material for the four versions of the simulation
Trainer Helpline
We know that games and simulations can bring fun, learning and challenge to the programmes you deliver. Therefore, we would welcome the opportunity to talk you through any of our wide range of activities to ensure that you obtain the maximum benefit from your purchase. Please
contact us call us on
+44 (0) 1202 531133.
Need Help Facilitating?
From as little as £500 we can send you an experienced consultant to help facilitate this simulation game. Contact us to find out more.
Who is it for? First line supervisors to senior management
Duration: 2 - 6 hours
Number of participants: teams of 6 - 18 participants
Customer Feedback
"It brought our training alive, becoming so real that the learning points just tumbled out during the debrief. A must for anyone seriously involved in team building or leadership development."
Training Manager Skandia Life
