- How, as a team, to address the overall planning process
- To ask the right questions early on, to identify key issues
- The importance of accuracy and attention to detail
- Basic logistics
- To select the best personnel for the job
- To evaluate different options
Ideally suited to:
Training sessions on teamwork, planning skills and/or decision-making. Allows teams to make a plan, make some critical group decisions - and put it to the test!
Their mission is to travel to a location deep in the desert to collect a vitally important letter (that could mean the difference between life and death). They have a map, a vehicle to travel in and a coded message that will reveal the location - but little else. What data do they need in order to plan the expedition? They must formulate eight carefully constructed questions in order to get that critical information.
Now they can start planning in earnest. They’ll see there are three possible routes – all need investigating. Who does what? Do they demonstrate attention to detail? Are they conscious of time?
They must also choose four people to go on the expedition itself. What attributes are they looking for? They can select members of their own team or candidates whose details are supplied in the Team Brief – or a mixture of both.
Their vehicle is subject to strict weight restrictions, 900 Kg max, so fuel, water, food, first aid, tools etc must be carefully chosen for each stage of the journey. Emergency supplies MUST be carried; other items are optional - but all have weight implications. Teams use Checklists to plan the packing of the vehicle and ascertain total weights. Get it badly wrong – and the expedition fails!
If all safety precautions are adhered to, of the three possible routes, only one is realistic. Will teams realise this or will they take unjustifiable risks to get back to base ahead of their competitors?
- Briefly introduce the session, arrange the group into teams and issues team briefs, a map of the Gozo Desert and a Data Request Form.
- Teams have 15 minutes to brainstorm eight questions that will give them the data they need to plan the expedition. They note these on the Data Request Form (or supply them verbally).
- Whatever data was requested, issue each team with a Critical Information Sheet. This gives teams all the information they need to plan their expedition (but if possible retain teams' data requests for reference in the Debrief).
- Observe teams in action. Note relevant issues on their teamwork, delegation, leadership, planning skills and time management. Don't get involved in their task.
- After 90 minutes call a halt. After a short break issue copies of the Team Review Form for teams to work through.
- Ask each team EITHER to give brief feedback on how they worked together and what their final decision was, OR, if time allows, ask teams to prepare a more substantial presentation.
- Lead a general debrief on the activity – there are lots of issues. Summarise the key lessons learned. Relate these to the workplace and how improvements might be made in real life.
Full guidance supplied in the Trainer’s Notes.
- Trainer’s Notes
- Trainer's PowerPoint
- Trainer's Ref - The Code Deciphered
- Trainer's Ref - Optimum Decisions
- Team Brief
- Map of the Gozo Desert
- Data Request Form
- Critical Information Form
- Checklist Form
- Team Review Form
This activity is supplied digitally via the Northgate Trainerhub. No delivery charges apply.
Our licence offering is designed to provide exceptional value and flexibility for your organisational training needs.
Upon purchase, each Northgate activity includes a five-year licence for repeat use, with up to a maximum number of delegates per training session. The maximum number of delegates permitted for this activity is 24. This grants you the freedom to use the activity repeatedly, with the specified maximum number of delegates, for five years.
All Learning and Development (L&D) professionals based at the same site (or
‘remote hub’) as you are granted access to these resources, including to the digital files on the Trainerhub via your site-specific Trainer Dashboard, fostering a collaborative spirit within your immediate team.
Should you wish to make this activity available to a wider audience within your organisation, additional licences are required. We understand the varying needs of different organisations and aim to provide flexible options to suit your requirements.
To use with more than 24 or for multiple site licences please contact us for a quote.
