Outback

One morning, a group of friends decides to take a daring hike in the Australian outback – without a guide. They follow a herd of wild ponies, but before they know it, any sight of a recognizable trail is gone, 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 achieve team synergy and survive the elements with only limited daypack supplies and the clothes on their backs.

HRDQ 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 similar feelings of stress and conflict, which accompany everyday organizational life.

Outback is a team-building simulation requiring participants to band together to survive with limited supplies in the Australian Bush. Following the introduction of the survival scenario, participants are challenged to rank four immediate response alternatives and 10 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 they achieved synergy.

The two-hour workshop explores the concept of synergy and helps teams 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.

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

• Uncover how to develop group problem solving skills using a five-step process.
• Learn techniques for team conflict resolution.
• Understand four techniques to improve communication.
• Discover the advantages of consensus decision making.
• Learn the critical elements of team synergy.

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 of problem solving and decision making training programs. Use this survival simulation to:

• Illustrate the concept of team synergy.
• Give teams a nonthreatening opportunity to work together.
• Help teams practice consensus decision making.
• Improve active listening, probing, and confronting behaviors.
• Train team leaders in team facilitation skills.
• Open or close a learning session.

Facilitator Guide: Order one guide per trainer.

The Facilitator Guide includes background information, administrative guidelines, a step-by-step workshop outline, and sample participant materials. Facilitator materials will be available as a digital download link in your order confirmation.

Participant Guide 5-Pack: Order one pack for up to five participants.

The Participant Guide includes the adventure scenario, pressure-sensitive scoring, background information, team worksheets, and action planning.

The HRDQ Development Team creates soft-skills learning solutions that help to improve the performance of individuals, teams, and organizations. At HRDQ, we believe an experiential approach is the best catalyst for adult learning. Our unique Experiential Learning Model has been the core of what we do for more than 40 years. We combine the best of organizational learning theory and proven facilitation methods with an appreciation for adult learning styles. Our philosophy initiates and inspires lasting change.

Additional Resources

• Article | How Team Survival Simulations Come Into Play
• Info Kit | Download the Team Adventure Series Info Kit