Introduction
Further details of similar games
are at www.makingthenetwork.org/pgame.
These notes and the cards are provided
for non-commercial use by communities
seeking to develop online communities.
They should not be used as the basis
of further development without permission.
If you use them, please let us know
how it worked.
© Makingthenetwork. David Wilcox
(david@makingthenetwork.org)
Drew Mackie (drew@makingthenetwork.org)
These notes provide, first, a summary
of the process of playing the game,
and then a more detailed description.
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Summary
1 Make
sure you have the right props and
appropriate room layout - see preparation
below. Develop a timetable based on
notes below – say:
- 15 minutes intro (2,3,4)
- 20 minutes for a) scenarios invention
and presentations or b) SWOT for
the area (4, 5)
- At least 30 minutes to prioritise
the cards (6)
- 5-15 minutes to present solutions
back to groups (7)
- At least 15 minutes
discussion and follow through (8)
2 Explain
to participants the purpose
of the game.
3 Introduce
the cards as
the main prop, explaining what is
shown on each one, and how they are
used.
Ask people to consider what problems
they have in their community, and
what opportunities. If there is time,
this can be a complete SWOT analysis.
4 Give
groups their props:
a set of cards and the priorities
flip chart sheet, plus Blutack and
sticky notes. Ask them to prepare
a plan: budget 12 points New ideas can be added by writing out sticky notes. Budget
points for these must be agreed with
the facilitator.
5 After
at least 30 minutes one member of
each group presents back to everyone.
6 Debrief
and discussion.
Explain that the card game is part
of a longer process, and that participants
will now brainstorm problems and current
assets before using the chosen cards
tailored to their situation.
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The session
in more detail
Preparation
The facilitator will need:
- A priorities sheet, drawn on
flip chart paper, for each of the
groups who will be playing the game.
See the sheet below including its
two diagrams and main timescale/priority
matrix.
- A set of cards for each group
- Blutack for each group so that
they can fix the cards to the sheet
- Sticky notes
so that they can add further ideas.
- A diagram showing the game as
part of a process (amend from diagram
below)
- The room laid
out so that participants can easily
move their chairs to form groups
of seven or eight. It may be easiest
to start with that configuration.
We have provided a set of cards,
and also additional project ideas
which will eventually be the basis
for a revised set of cards. Meanwhile
use the list of ideas to add to the
set of cards, with sticky notes..
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Purpose
of the game
Explain that the game can be used
at the start of an initiative, or
part of the way through development
to help create a clearer shared vision.
The main feature of the game is a
set of ideas cards to help develop
the vision. The cards and other props
are deliberately simple and non-technical
so that those who have no computer
or Internet skills can join in discussion.
"This isn't rocket science".
We use the cards and other props to
develop plans to address local issues
and opportunities.
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The
cards
Introduce the cards as the main prop,
explaining that each one contains
- A title and description of a
project or activity that a WuC and/or
local people might undertake. The
focus is on community content, because
we are simulating WuC development
where equipment etc. is in place.
- A simple graphic so that the
group can easily distinguish cards
- An indication of the skills,
equipment and other resources needed
if that card is chosen.
- A resource number 1-3 that gives
a rough indication of 'cost' of
the project. This is introduced
to force choices, because groups
will have a budget of 12 points.
The cards will be used to address
issues raised in the scenarios. Groups
can also develop their own ideas using
sticky notes.
They can assign their own budget points
to these, but should confirm the level
with the facilitator.
a)
The scenario
As the game is being played 'for
real' ask participants to describe
what is good about the area, and what
needs improvement. What are the social,
economic, environmental problems and
opportunities, and who are the key
interests. This can be done
Using props
to prepare the plan
Give groups their props: a set of
cards and the priorities sheet, plus
Blutack and sticky notes. They have
at least 30 minutes to prepare a plan
to meet the challenges, and then fill
in the right hand diagram showing
how things will have improved.
In doing that they
have a budget of 12 points.
They can add their own ideas on sticky
notes, and assign points to them.
(If this budget is likely to be inadequate
because of the particularly mix of
cards you are playing with, try 15
points. The main purpose of the budget
is to force choices.)
After 30 minutes or more groups present
their solutions for the real scenario.
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Debrief
Explain that the card game is part
of a longer process. The nature of
a start up process is described elsewhere
on the site.
Note that
- before the game is played, there
should be an audit of what is happening
locally, and contacts made with
key interests
- after the game there should be
follow through to develop ideas
in more detail
The follow through would include:
- A review of the resource requirements
on the cards
- Champions and support teams for
each of the projects
- Discussions - perhaps a workshop
- with resource agencies
- Detailed project development
and production or review of the
business plan
- Bidding for or allocation of
resources
If possible, amend the diagram above
to relate to the current WuC situation.
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Discussion
After the run of the game, consider:
- What main issues emerged in group
discussions?
- Were the cards appropriate?
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Templates
for scenario flip charts
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