Zombie Outbreak

Zombie Outbreak is a simulation in team decision making and team synergy. Participants face an impending zombie attack requiring them to work together to make the best possible decisions in order to survive. While the context is not usually life-threatening, there are often times when employees have to make decisions as part of a team amidst stressful situations. Zombie Outbreak prepares employees for team decision making to help them make the best decisions in difficult and high-stress situations.

HRDQ Team Adventure Series training simulations are a popular choice with our clients for team development training. They're an effective way to introduce the concept of synergy and help team members develop vital group process skills such as consensus decision making, problem solving, communication, and conflict resolution in a nonthreatening learning environment.

Zombie Outbreak starts with a suspense-filled scenario that challenges teams to work together to escape danger with 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. The Zombie Outbreak simulation is a high-energy training activity that requires teams to work together and make decisions that will help them survive a developing zombie outbreak.

Zombie Outbreak Scenario

You're chatting in the office when there is a sudden frenzy over an employee acting very strange. You and your coworkers must band together to make vital decisions about what to do in order to survive a zombie outbreak!

Following the introduction of the survival scenario, participants are challenged to rank six action options and 15 survival items – first as individuals, then as a team. Participants compare their team scores to the best individual score and expert rationale to determine if synergy was achieved.

Following the simulation, a three-hour workshop explores the concept of synergy and team decision making. It also helps teams to develop vital group-process skills such as interpersonal communication and problem solving.

By the end of this simulation, participants will: 

• Uncover how to practice team decision-making under pressure.
• Understand how to practice interpersonal skills.
• Discover how to illustrate the concept of team synergy.
• Know how to provide you with a nonthreatening opportunity to work together.

Zombie Outbreak is an excellent training tool for any team, but especially those in the midst of conflict. Use Zombie Outbreak 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.
• Introduce an organizational change.
• Interject a fun activity into an otherwise serious agenda.

Print Facilitator Guide

Includes background information, administrative guidelines, a step-by-step workshop outline, and sample participant materials. It also includes an expanded PowerPoint Presentation with slides for every step of the simulation, and every slide has a script for the facilitator. It is designed to be used in lieu of the step-by-step instructions in the Facilitator Guide for conducting the simulation on pages 23-48.

The PowerPoint supports delivery of the product in the classroom or online. Facilitator materials will be available as a digital download link in your order confirmation. You'll need on facilitator guide for each trainer.

Print Participant Guide 5-Pack

Includes the adventure scenario, pressure-sensitive scoring, background information, team worksheets, and action planning. Order one pack for every five participants.

Digital Participant Guide License (Beta)

Includes a digital download of the Participant Guide in PDF format. Each unit purchased is a single license to distribute the PDF to one participant. Order the quantity of licenses required to train the total number of participants in your learning event. By purchasing and downloading this product, you agree to the terms of the HRDQ Digital Participant Guide End User License Agreement.

The HRDQ Development Team creates soft-skill 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