Download pdf - "Serious Games for Leader and Team Training" By Jim Lunsford- Serious Play Conference 2012

Serious Play Conference

Serious Games For

Leader and Team Training

© 2012 Decisive-Point, All rights reserved.

August 23, 2012

Objective

Provide an overview of what I think makes a

“good” serious game an effective tool for

Leader and Team TrainingLeader and Team Training


Overview

• Training must be a continues cycle of study, practice and

reflection.

• Complex or abstract concepts become tangible when using

a serious game

• Use of the game promotes improved visualization of events • Use of the game promotes improved visualization of events

with respect to time, space, distance, and capabilities.

• Students can experiment and make bold decisions without

suffering catastrophic failure.

• Experience can be rapidly repeated.

• Games can dramatically and effectively link cause and

effect.


My “Ah-hah” Moment…

CGSC, Spring 1998


“Decisive Action” Exercise - 1998


DA - PE 2 Combined Obstacle Overlay


DA - PE 1 Combined Obstacle OverlayDA - PE 2 RED Situation


DA - PE 1 Combined Obstacle OverlayDA - PE 2 BLUE Situation


“Decisive Action” Exercise - 1998

RED – Student Group 1Task: Seize TABRON Purpose: To establish a shorter line of communication

BLUE – Student Group 2Task: Defeat the III Red CorpsPurpose: To set the conditions for offensive operations

Instructions to Both Groups:

1. Both sides will fight using U.S. doctrine

2. 6 hours to plan, 5 hours to “fight”, 1 hour for AAR

3. Before Battle: Quick briefing on estimate of situation and plan


Attacker’s Most Likely and Dangerous Courses of Action

BlueG2_ECOA.wmv

BLUE Intelligence Officer

BlueG2_ECOA.wmv


Attacker’s Plan

Red_COA_Short.wmv

RED Commander

Red_COA_Short.wmv


• Students were very shocked to discover their plans were so

predictable.

• During the next 4 battles, they made every effort to out-

think their opponent.

Results of “First Battle”

• I discovered the great learning benefit of fighting “Blue

against Blue”.

• I realized that I was a mediocre instructor and a mediocre

officer within a mediocre system. We were great at process

(science of war), but weak at applying the science (art of

war).

Another REDFOR Group…

Play A301History.wmv


How does a person become a strong leader or an effective

team member?team member?


Like any skill training, it must be cyclic.

Study


PracticeReflection

Science

Art

Where do most leaders and teams expend their efforts?


Study

After all, we have a wealth of experience.


PracticeReflection

Science

Art

What is a better model for continued growth and success?


Conduct quality practice and allocate more time and energy for selected study and critical reflection

Selected Study


Science

ArtQuality Practice

Critical Reflection

Findings• An effective training approach supported by a

“good” serious game can dramatically improve

leadership and team skills.

• Time spent learning to play the game is almost

always wasted time!always wasted time!

• Use crawl, walk, run, approach to increase training

performance.

• Emphasize process over outcomes.

• The game must rapidly and continuously engage the

students

• Task repetition with additional factors increasingly

difficult situations is critical to success© 2012 Decisive-Point, All rights reserved.

Findings• Instructor interaction should take place during the

exercise, as needed, to highlight problems, coach

before continuing further.

• Require students to be responsible for much of

their learningtheir learning

• Create and inject compelling problems as needed to

force student actions.

• Simple videos introduced at the right time can

create powerful effects.

• No matter how good the game, the teacher will

make or break the quality of the learning experience


®

Jim LunsfordPresident

Decisive-Point

816-584-2882 (Direct)

816-584-2883 (FAX)

[email protected]

www.decisive-point.com
