Throw the Cat.. and other objects

Timing: 10 minutes preparation, 15 minutes to run then as long as you need to debrief Materials: Stickies, Pens and a list of objects Instructions: I’ve started using this as a variation on the https://www.scrumalliance.org/community/articles/2014/may/title-teaching-relative-estimation-by-throwing-a-c example by Tomasz de Jastrzebiec Wykowski. The basics of it involve getting the team to discuss the relative estimation of achieving a task. I’ve found this really useful for new members to…

N Listen

Duration & Size: Under 15 mins. Can be used with large crowds too. Objctive: To sharpen listening skills of people and empathise with listeners who have to listen to people talking over each other. Plus any other learnings. It does energise the room.   Materials: Group of people   Approach: Form groups of 3-5. Ask each group to have two people speak at same time…

Iterative Incremental Big Bang

Timing: 30-60 minutes expected running time (including prep and debrief) Overview: Iterative, Incremental, Big Bang is a workshop game to encourage people to think about alternative approaches for tackling projects. However, rather than discuss boring work-like scenarios, it asks players to decide on an approach for everyday scenarios like converting a loft, cooking Sunday lunch or building a nuclear submarine! Materials: Iterative Incremental Big Bang cards (available on Amazon) A…

The Roast

Many Agile practitioners scoff at the very idea of managers in the context of Agile teams. However, they are often a necessity of existing companies. So, we should do the most to have them contribute and align with team members. This exercise give an avenue for honest, detailed feedback from the team to their manager. This game is recommended only for teams with high trust…