From training to Offline Serious Gaming
Learning in an environment that approximates reality, that is Offline Serious Gaming.
Kenhardt strives to innovate and improve the method of developing people. The games we build and run for this purpose are the result of this. Games that approach reality so closely that participants no longer experience it as training, but as a learning situation in real life.
Fictitious organisation
A game is developed and implemented based on the needs of the organisation. Why is a game chosen and what should the result be? What are the challenges, what are the characteristics of the organisation? What are the dominant themes? On this basis, we build a fictitious organisation that is in a slightly different market with similar challenges.
A mission & vision, core values, an organisation chart, an MT, a culture description, financial figures and strategic challenges. A website of the company is launched and all participants also receive an e-mail address of the fictitious company. Participants participate as a team or from a specific role. The entire game is devised in advance.
Diagnostics as a basis
We identify individual learning points of participants in advance so that we can respond to them in the game. An online assessment is often used. This consists of two online questionnaires and a self-analysis. The results are discussed with a Kenhardt consultant in an interview.
Is good individual information already available? Then of course we use that. Clear learning needs are the starting point for a game.
To a training course or to your work?
Participants are informed in advance about what to expect. Report to the venue, where the game begins as soon as they arrive. The flag of the organisation hangs out, company cars with logos are outside, at the reception desk only the name of the fictitious organisation where the participants come to work is displayed, in the building there are expressions of the organisation. No instruction at the start, but an iPad on which many personal mails arrive and a diary that shows what you need to do today. You go through those at the espresso machine. The working day has begun. The game is ‘live’.
Puppet master
In each game, there are collective activities as well as individual assignments. This runs through each other, a recognisable daily reality. Behind the scenes, a ‘puppet master’ guides the game with new information from the organisation and individual assignments. Via e-mail or via one of the actors who have a position in the game. Actors who continuously act from their role and respond to the behaviour and learning points of the participants. The actors evoke behaviour in participants and challenge them to experiment and learn. In individual conversations in a separate room with an employee, a relation or a customer.
Breakout rooms
Professional facilitators observe and provide high-quality feedback, based on personal reports and learning points. Observations are recorded and discussed. iPad recordings are made of individual interviews and these are also discussed afterwards. This is done in breakout rooms, the only place where one can physically step out of the game and reflect. There, the personal coach has time for the participant to talk through the observations, behaviour, impact and changes. There, goals are set again and one gets back to work in the game.
Tension surrounding the outcome
The game goes on continuously and the situation changes, making the mapped-out route not so easy to follow. The result is under pressure, challenging the team to get the most out of each other.
After the game
After the game, we want to facilitate the participant as much as possible to put what they have learned into practice. After all, that’s where the results come in. The participant therefore receives afterwards:
- Relevant sheets and literature references;
- The iPad recordings of the interviews;
- A feedback report with all written feedback.
Together with the individual report and the learning objectives, a good basis for further development.
Secure
Kenhardt is all about results in practice. That is applying what has been learned. That is why we recommend planning activities for the period after the game. This way, after the game, participants will be stimulated to put what they have learned into practice. You can think of:
- Situations where what has been learnt needs to be demonstrated;
- Appointments with superiors or a sparring partner;
- Feedback following situations and presentations;
- Coaching sessions.
Safe
At Kenhardt, it is about results in practice. That is applying what has been learnt. Therefore, we recommend planning activities for the post-game period. This way, after the game, participants are encouraged to put what they have learned into practice. You can think of:
- Situations where what has been learnt needs to be demonstrated;
- Appointments with superiors or a sparring partner;
- Feedback after situations and presentations;
- Coaching sessions.
Participants’ experiences
- ‘That I experienced this, so special and so professional.’
- ‘Very intensive, but also very instructive.’
- ‘It was not a game, but reality where I was able to experiment with behaviour.’
- ‘What a learning experience!!!’
- ‘As a team we made a great impact, that makes me really happy.’
- ‘The very best leadership programme I dare say, after 25 years of experience.’
- ‘What a complex and professional organisation, top!’
More information
For more information, contact us now:
[email protected]
+31 73 692 39 39