Outback is a team building simulation that requires participants to work together to survive with limited supplies in the Australian bush.
HRDQ's Team Adventure Series training simulations are a popular choice for team development training. They're an effective way to introduce the concept of synergy and help team members quickly develop vital group-process skills such as consensus decision making, problem solving, communication, and conflict resolution in a nonthreatening learning environment.
Each adventure simulation in HRDQ's Team Adventure Series starts with a suspense-filled scenario that challenges teams to work together to escape danger with only limited resources - and each other. While most people can rest assured knowing they'll never encounter these survival situations, they do experience the similar feelings of stress and conflict that accompany everyday organizational life.
The Outback Scenario
One morning a group of friends decide to take a daring hike in the Australian outback - without a guide. They follow a herd of wild ponies, but before they know it, the sight of any recognizable trail is lost. Every tree, shrub, and patch of ground suddenly looks exactly the same, and now they're officially lost in the Australian bush. A rush of panic strikes the group as they realize it might be days before they're found. Dressed in khakis, t-shirts, hats, and hiking boots, they must find a way to survive the elements with only limited daypack supplies and the clothes on their backs.
Following the introduction of the survival scenario, participants are challenged to rank four immediate response alternatives and ten daypack items - first as individuals and then a second time as a team. Participants compare their team scores to the best individual score and expert rationale to determine if synergy was achieved.
The two-hour workshop explores the concept of synergy and helps teams to develop vital group-process skills such as decision making and interpersonal communication. The exercise also includes an introduction to three elements of synergy, a five-step problem-solving technique, four critical group maintenance skills, and the importance of consensus decision making.
Outback can be used as a standalone training instrument or incorporated into a more comprehensive program on team building. It's also effective as a component for problem-solving and decision-making training programs. Use the survival simulation to:
Target Audience: Team members at any level, especially those who work under pressure
Product Type: Simulation
Focus: Consensus decision making and decision making under pressure
Time Required: Administration: 15 minutes, Workshop: 2 hours
Facilitator Set: Order one per trainer.
Participant Guide: Order one per individual or participant.
