The Unique Value of Gaming in Organisational Change

As conventional training sessions become shorter and less frequent, the quest for engaging, effective, and cost-efficient methods to boost knowledge and skills continues. The realms of Organisational Change and Learning and Development are highly responsive to trends, with fresh approaches surfacing consistently.

In recent times, games and simulations have surged in popularity. But are they merely a hype, or do they provide a distinctive and valuable learning experience that’s tough to replicate through other means?

Simulations: an innovative approach to engaging with reality

1. Recognition: when participants can swiftly identify their processes, structures, work styles, and culture within a simulation, it not only ensures efficient use of time but also significantly enhances their willingness to engage with the exercise. This results in a substantial impact in a condensed timeframe.
2. Freedom to experiment: there are numerous paths from A to B. A well-crafted simulation grants participants the freedom to explore various strategies, modify their behaviour, and observe the outcomes of their actions. This hands-on learning is both respectful and effective, especially when conducted collaboratively. Participants witness the collective effect of individual choices and learn to optimise results together, often leading to immediate, measurable improvements in the workplace. We frequently design simulations that allow for the testing of diverse strategies—clearly, it’s far more economical to fail in a simulation than in reality.
3. Relevance: recently, I encountered a remarkably detailed simulation of a large organisation—a stunning representation of reality with countless variables at play. However, as a learning and change tool, it missed a vital element: focus. Players often take considerable time to grasp such complexity and may struggle to concentrate on the most pertinent aspects. It’s more effective to introduce key decisions early in the development phase, streamlining the simulation to direct attention towards the elements participants can genuinely influence.
4. Systems thinking: organisations are intricate systems, making it challenging to discern the relationships between cause and effect, or to realise that short- and long-term solutions often clash, and that most decisions carry unintended consequences. Simulations create an optimal environment for comprehending these complex issues and applying that understanding to real-world scenarios. Participants learn to identify and implement viable solutions to persistent conflicts, “unsolvable” problems, and recurring bottlenecks.

Enduring insights

Simulations customised for your organisation offer considerable benefits. We’ve observed over the years that simulations yield measurable, lasting positive effects. Why? Unlike most learning tools and methods, simulations prioritise altering insights rather than directly changing behaviour, which subsequently leads to different actions. Participants learn to recognise and deeply understand issues they previously overlooked. Unlike skills, which can diminish over time, insights are lasting—once you learn to see something, it’s unlikely you’ll miss it again.

The adoption challenge

So why isn’t everyone fully embracing games and simulations? Not all simulations or games deliver the aforementioned benefits. A primary reason is that clients and providers often attempt to repurpose meticulously designed organisational simulations in contexts for which they were never intended. A simulation is akin to a pair of glasses—what’s effective for one individual may not suit another.

Of course, there are generic topics suitable for simulation, such as negotiations, sales scenarios, and general management or collaboration challenges. Participants can derive real value from generic simulations, as long as the scenarios are recognisable and relevant to their everyday work. However, this impact is hard to compare to that of a tailored simulation.

Simulations specific to an organisation rarely lend themselves to reuse without compromising much of their original quality and value. Unfortunately, time and resources are often squandered on replaying simulations that are expected to deliver results they were neither designed for nor capable of achieving.