Crisis Management Marathon

Discipline: Crisis Management

Game Overview: The Crisis Management Marathon is an immersive and high-pressure activity designed to develop participants' crisis management skills. This exercise emphasizes quick thinking, strategic planning, and effective communication as teams navigate simulated crisis scenarios. Participants will learn to collaborate under pressure, devise comprehensive crisis plans, and present their strategies, enhancing their ability to manage real-world crises efficiently.

Duration: 20 minutes or less
You need a minimum of 7 employees to play

Objective

Effectively manage a simulated crisis by developing and presenting a comprehensive crisis management plan.

How to Play:

  1. Designate 1-3 judge/s: Judges will score all final presentations of the Crisis Management Marathon using the criteria provided.

  2. Team Formation:

    • Teams: Form teams of 3-5 members.

    • Roles: Assign each team member a role, such as leader, note-taker, and presenter (timekeeping is shared among all members).

  3. Crisis Scenario Planning Session (15 Minutes):

    • Note-Taker: Responsible for documenting the brainstorming session.

    • Order: Leader decides the speaking order for team members.

    • Timing: Each member has 3 minutes to contribute to the plan.

  4. Process:

    • The leader introduces the crisis scenario and selects the order in which the remaining members contribute.

    • Subsequent members add details, elaborate, or refine the plan, ensuring coherence and practicality.

  5. Steps:

    • Minute 1 (Leader): Introduce the crisis scenario (e.g., PR disaster, financial downturn).

    • Minutes 2-3 (Member 2): Identify immediate actions to address the crisis.

    • Minutes 4-5 (Member 3): Develop a communication strategy for stakeholders.

    • Minutes 6-7 (Member 4, if applicable): Outline long-term recovery steps.

    • Minutes 8-15 (All Members): Collaboratively refine the crisis management plan, incorporating all contributions.

  6. Presentation (2 Minutes):

    • The presenter of each team presents their final crisis management plan to a panel of judges within 2 minutes or less.

Scoring Criteria:

Using a scale of 1-5, the judge/s will award points as follows:

  • Thoroughness of the Plan:
    1: Plan lacks detail and comprehensiveness.
    2: Plan includes some details but is incomplete.
    3: Plan is moderately thorough but missing key elements.
    4: Plan is detailed and mostly comprehensive.
    5: Plan is exceptionally thorough and comprehensive.

  • Practicality:
    1: Plan is impractical and unrealistic.
    2: Plan includes some practical elements but lacks feasibility.
    3: Plan is moderately practical with some feasible elements.
    4: Plan is practical and feasible, with minor improvements needed.
    5: Plan is highly practical and feasible, with no major issues.

  • Communication During Presentation:
    1: Presentation is unclear and poorly communicated.
    2: Presentation has some clear elements but lacks overall clarity.
    3: Presentation is moderately clear but has areas of confusion.
    4: Presentation is clear and effectively communicated.
    5: Presentation is exceptionally clear, engaging, and well-communicated.

Additional Tips:

  • Effective Communication: Clearly state your ideas and ensure they build on previous contributions. Avoid jargon and complicated language to keep the plan accessible and understandable.

  • Active Listening: Pay attention to each team member’s input to ensure relevant and cohesive contributions.

  • Time Management: Keep track of time using a timer. Each member should practice delivering their ideas concisely within their allotted time.

  • Focus on the Big Picture: Avoid getting bogged down in minor details. Focus on the core elements of the crisis management plan.

  • Encourage Creativity: Think outside the box and encourage innovative solutions. A unique plan is more likely to stand out and be effective.

  • Stay Positive and Supportive: Foster a positive environment where all team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas. Constructive feedback is key to refining the plan.

Example:

Team A’s Crisis Plan:

  • Minute 1 (Leader, Bogdan): "Our crisis scenario is a major PR disaster involving a product recall."

  • Minutes 2-3 (Member 2, Sam): "Immediate actions include issuing a public apology, halting sales, and initiating a recall process."

  • Minutes 4-5 (Member 3, Taylor): "Our communication strategy involves regular updates to stakeholders, press releases, and a dedicated hotline."

  • Minutes 6-7 (Member 4, Jamie): "Long-term recovery steps include conducting a thorough investigation, implementing corrective measures, and restoring brand reputation."

  • Minutes 8-15 (All Members): "We refine the plan by integrating feedback, ensuring all actions are practical and feasible, and preparing for potential follow-up questions."