Collaboration Games

Collaboration Games for Project Teams

Here are some interesting games that can help your team collaborate better with customers and stakeholders while defining requirements:

1. Remember the Future

Concept: Ask stakeholders to imagine that an upcoming release was successful and then look back to determine why.

Steps:

• Ask stakeholders to imagine that a release has already been successful.
• Encourage them to describe what made it successful.
• Identify the key features or aspects they value most.

Example:

"Hey Bob, can you remember six months from now when we released that new accounts receivable module? What made it so successful?"

Bob might respond with:

• It was easy to use.
• No need to read a manual.
• Well-designed interface.
• Fast and responsive software.

Outcome: This gives insight into what stakeholders consider important for success.

2. Prune the Product Tree

Concept: A visual way to map out features by drawing a tree where different parts represent different software components.

Steps:

• Draw a tree with branches and roots.
• Give stakeholders sticky notes to add feature ideas.
• Place core features near the trunk and dependent features higher up.
• Group related features together.

Example:

A school system software might have:

• Roots: Databases, core architecture.
• Trunk: Core functionalities (e.g., student records).
• Branches: Additional features (e.g., attendance tracking, grading system).

Outcome: Helps teams visualize dependencies and priorities.

3. Speedboat (or Sailboat)

Concept: Identify project accelerators and blockers using a sailboat analogy.

Steps:

• Draw a boat on water with a sail and an anchor.
• Use sticky notes to represent forces that help (wind) and hinder (anchors) progress.
• Discuss how to maximize the positives and minimize the negatives.

Example:

Wind (Helps the Project):

• Less competition
• Easy-to-use development tools
• Customer familiarity with similar software

Anchors (Hinders the Project):

• Regulations
• High competition
• Lack of resources

Outcome: Identifies threats and opportunities, helping teams strategize.

Conclusion

These three games—Remember the Future, Prune the Product Tree, and Speedboat—are all low-tech, high-touch ways to engage stakeholders and define project success effectively.