Discussion Based Exercises

E132 Unit #11 - 1 As of September 18, 2005

UNIT 11Discussion Based (Tabletop)

Exercises

UNIT 11Discussion Based (Tabletop)

Exercises


UNIT 11Objectives

AT THE END OF THIS SESSION, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO:

Define the purposes and characteristics of a tabletop exerciseDescribe the 8-Exercise Design Steps as used for a tabletop exercise

Describe facilitator skills necessary to conduct a tabletop exercise


TABLETOP EXERCISE Methodologies

PLENARY

Conducted in a large room or auditorium

Group players by function or responsibility

No small group discussions

Active facilitation

BREAKOUT

Divided into small groups at different tables

Players seated at separate tables according to common interests or responsibilities

Each group reports back to the reassembled plenary


TABLETOP EXERCISE Categories

Basic – The complete scenario is provided to the players and remains constant

Advanced - Scenario advances through delivery of pre-scripted messages from the beginning to the end


TABLETOP EXERCISE Common Features

Group problem solving

Familiarize senior officials with their responsibilities

Conduct of a specific case study

Examines personnel contingencies

Examination of group message interpretation


Participation in information sharing

Assessment of interagency coordination

Achievement of limited or specific objectives

Preparation for a more complex exercise

TABLETOP EXERCISE Common Features


TABLETOP EXERCISES

Informal discussion to evaluate, clarify or resolve questions of coordination & integration

Facilitated group discussion/problem solving

Narrative, messages, or problem statements used to drive discussion


TABLETOP CHARACTERISTICS

PURPOSE

Solve problems as a group

FORMAT

Discussion guided by facilitator

No simulators

No elaborate facilities or communications

EVALUATION

Observers may be present

Success measured by participant feedback, impact on policies, plans, procedures


PROBLEM STATEMENTS, MESSAGES

PRESENT VERBAL PROBLEM STATEMENTS TO:

Group

Individuals, then open

discussion to group

DELIVER PRESCRIPTED MESSAGES TO INDIVIDUALS, WHO COORDINATE WITH OTHERS AND RESPOND


DESIGNING A TABLETOP EXERCISE

Use 8 step process, job aids

Steps 5-8 are simplified:

Only partially simulated

Little scripting

No simulators

Informal evaluation


8 DESIGN STEPS

1. Needs Assessment

2. Scope

3. Purpose statement

4. Objectives

5. Narrative

6. Major events/minor events

7. Expected Actions

8. Messages


APPLYING THE DESIGN STEPS

NARRATIVE

Shorter

Printed (or in person, TV, radio)

As a whole or in parts

Discussion items

EVENTS

Closely related to the objectives

Only a few are required

Used as basis for problem statements


APPLYING THE DESIGN STEPS

EXPECTED ACTIONS

List serves as a basis for developing problem statements and messages

“Actions” may be discussion that leads to change

MESSAGES

A few may suffice

May relate to major or detailed events


FACILITIES AND MATERIALS

Operations Center or Conference Facility

Materials:

Emergency plans

Maps

Other references


KEY ACTIONS

Set the stage

Involve everyone

Focus on in-depth problem solving


FACILITATING THE EXERCISE

STRATEGIES FOR SETTING THE STAGE

Welcome

Briefing

Narrative

Ice breaker


FACILITATING THE EXERCISE

STRATEGIES FOR INVOLVING EVERYONE

Organize messages

Encourage

Elicit - do not provide - solutions

Eye contact

Positive

Reinforcement

Redirect if necessary


UNIT SUMMARY

Reviewed how a tabletop exercise works

Discussed facilitation guidelines

Examined how the eight design steps are applied to tabletop exercises

Developed problem statements and messages


QUESTIONS?

Education

Discussion Based Exercises