Description
The Planning Game is an effective, fun and competitive way to help you and your team think about administration or production processes. This Board game provides you with an understanding of the positive effect that sound planning has on financial results, and can initiate constructive discussions about possible weaknesses in the practices used by your company.
Objectives
Participants of the Planning Game will be able to:
- Map out the business process.
- Identify bottlenecks and critical points.
- Modify plans to account for changes and unforeseen circumstances.
- Apply these principles to their own business process to ensure the efficient and effective use of resources.
How it works
A company is purchasing raw materials to produce and sell a finished product. Players decide stocking and manpower levels at each stage through the factory, aiming to maintain a steady flow of goods and services. With productivity flexed to reflect changes in the external environment, the players’ management ability and adaptability is repeatedly challenged. The game gives players an insight into how each stage of the process contributes towards overall success and demonstrates how careful planning enables them to cope with the unpredictable. While using a factory background, the exercise is relevant to any situation requiring the combination and processing of resources. Players gain an understanding of what is happening in the business as a whole, rather than at any single stage.
What participants will be doing
Studying written text and the detailed diagram showing the flow of work through the factory, Submitting their operating decisions in writing, and throwing dice in accordance with these decisions. Analysing their actual sales and delivery performance figures as revealed by the tutor. Working out the cost of purchases and production, and comparing this with the revenue won from sales of finished goods.
For what levels is it appropriate?
All those whose role includes responsibility for planning organisational processes.
Duration
Between one and two hours including discussion time.
The package
Includes tutor manual, playing boards, post-exercise discussion questionnaire and all supporting documentation. All materials are re-usable.
Please contact us for further information or download the Planning Game information sheet.
Caryn Bedford, SPHR, CPC |Talent Development Lead –
We had a great time using the Planning Game!
We recently created a leadership development program for mid-level leaders called iThrive. We had 20 participants who received training and participated in workshops aligned with our values and leadership competencies. One of the competencies is Business Acumen. We utilized the Planning Game to expose everyone to the business and financial decisions required to meet production and revenue goals in our business lines. This game was exciting and fun for some of our participants as it was similar to their day-to-day work while for others, such as those in our human services department, it was confusing and quite challenging. The debriefing questions were critical to enabling everyone to apply the principles to their work. Many participants said that this game was the most significant activity they encountered during our “Leading Organizations” segment.
Caryn Bedford, SPHR, CPC |Talent Development Lead