- Stresses the need to break a task down into component parts
- Tests whether teams can maximise their use of resources
- Illustrates the need for a logical approach to problem-solving
- Shows the need for team members to keep each other informed
- Sharpens teamwork towards an objective and against a tight deadline
Ideally suited to:
Any session on teamwork, problem-solving or task organisation - and assessment. And a great choice if you want a tactile activity with construction elements.
In this hands-on training activity, teams must coordinate an airlift of tents, food and medicines, in various combinations and quantities, to eight isolated villages after a devastating earthquake. Special crates must be prepared, packed with the correct supplies (represented by coloured blocks), labelled – and loaded into the cargo hold.
If teams don’t match their chosen route with the order in which crates go in the hold, then supplies will be dropped to the wrong villages. The cargo hold is jam-packed so there’s only one way to pack it – and limited fuel prevents any re-routing of the flight! Having solved all aspects of this tough problem, teams fill in their pilot’s log and their solution is assessed. Computer program included but not essential – can be scored manually.
- Divide the participants into teams.
- Introduce the activity using the PowerPoint presentation.
- Issue the Team Briefs, Pilot's Log, Cargo hold, wood blocks and other resources.
- Allow teams 60 minutes for the task.Observe teams in action but do not get involved in assisting them in the task.
- After 60 minutes, collect a Pilot’s Log from each team and score their route. NOTE: you can do this using data in the Trainer's Notes or using the computer program option.
- For all to see, for each team, check routes against the order of crates stored in the hold and the crate contents. Is it all viable?
- Issue the short Questionnaire, designed to help teams review their performance.
- Lead a debrief. Ask teams how they tackled the problem - then issue the results. Extract all the key lessons that emerged and discuss how they can be transferred back to the workplace (re communication, organisation, maximising resources and minimising waste, delegating according to skills and generally working together as a united team).
Full guidance supplied in the Trainer’s Notes.
- Trainer’s Notes
- Computer Program (for optional use - internet access required)
- Trainer's PowerPoint
- Trainer's Routes Table
- Trainer's Ref - Example of Completed Cargo Hold
- Team Briefs & Map
- Pilot's Chart
- Pilot's Log
- Cargo Holds
- Team Questionnaire
- Wooden Blocks x4 sets
- Resources: Card, Scissors, Rulers, Sticky Tape
This activity is for face-to-face classroom use. It is supplied as a hard copy pack and the digital files are supplied via the Northgate Trainerhub.
This Northgate Training activity comes with a five-year licence for repeat use with up to 24 participants at a time, for use by Trainers based at one licence-holding site.
All Trainers physically based at the same office location can access the Northgate resources during the five-year term, including the digital resources supplied on the Trainerhub via your own site-specific Trainer Dashboard. If you have Trainers based at other locations, and/or remote workers, who would like to access and use the Northgate resources, we can advise further depending on your requirements.
For further information on our licence terms please view the Northgate Licence Agreement.
To use with more than 24 or for multiple site licences please contact us for a quote.
