Swamped
Second Edition
Teach the concept of team synergy with
Swamped, a challenging adventure simulation that focuses on
managing group conflict and consensus decision making. By comparing individual
solutions to solutions reached by the group, participants experience
first-hand the advantages of working as a team.
The Scenario
Deep in the wilds of Northern Minnesota, your group is paddling across
scenic Lake McEwen in three canoes. Suddenly it begins to rain — and
as the wind reaches gale force, your canoes capsize. You’re swamped —
and your troubles are just beginning!
One of our best-selling simulations, Swamped was born out of extensive
research and the input of Jim Roadcap, an experienced canoeist,
wilderness camper, survival skills trainer, and Boy Scout leader.
Learning Outcomes
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Learn how to manage and resolve group
conflict
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Hone group problem-solving skills
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Improve communication
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Discover the advantages of consensus
decision making
Theory
A true-to-life adventure tested out in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
(BWCA) by a group of experts, the Swamped simulation demonstrates the
concept of team synergy — the belief that decisions made by groups are
better than decisions made by individuals acting alone (Michaelson,
Watson, & Black, 1989). Groups bring a greater sum total of knowledge
and information to the discussion of a problem, as well as a greater
number of approaches and perspectives. Swamped can also demonstrate
“process loss.” This phenomenon occurs when a knowledgeable group
member outperforms the group, indicating that the member’s knowledge
was lost sometime during the group discussion. In order for group
decision making to work, unique information must be shared and
absorbed by the group (Stasser, 1992).
How It Works
This realistic roundtable simulation challenges groups to rank 10
salvaged items — first as individuals, and then as a team. First, as
the facilitator, you’ll introduce the adventure scenario. Participants
will then rank the 10 items on their own, using pressure-sensitive
scoring forms. Next, each team conducts the same ranking process as a
unit. Finally, you’ll lead the participants into a group action
planning discussion, providing the team with the opportunity to apply
the learning to the workplace.
Uses for Swamped
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Illustrate the concept of team synergy
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“Break the ice” among new or conflicted
teams
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Give teams a non-threatening opportunity
to work together
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Help teams practice consensus decision
making
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Improve active listening, probing, and
confronting behaviors in a realistic setting
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Train team leaders in team facilitation
skills
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Open or close a learning session
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Introduce an organizational change, such
as the transition to self-managing teams
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Interject a fun activity into an
otherwise serious agenda
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Supplement outdoor experiential learning
What to Order/Product Contents
Order one Facilitator Guide per trainer and one Participant Guide
per team member.
Note: Swamped works best when participants
are divided into teams of seven or fewer per table.
Facilitator Guide
includes:
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Administrative guidelines
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2-hour workshop design
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Expert rationale
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Experiential learning/training
methodology
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Training design options
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CD-ROM containing Microsoft® PowerPoint®
presentation, reproducible masters, and color slides of scenario
location
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Updated page layout
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Sample copy of Participant Guide
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Convenient binder format
Participant Guide
includes:
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Scenario description
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Pressure-sensitive response form
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Team synergy score chart
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Team discussion guidelines
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