4 Business Game Formats for Employee Development

What business game formats can be used?

There are many game formats, and BITOBE offers its own classification, which identifies seven main types of business games. These formats help effectively organize training and skill development for participants, allowing them to immerse themselves in real business situations and make informed decisions. Each format has its own characteristics and can be adapted to specific goals and objectives, making them a universal tool in business training.

• case games;
• role-playing games;
• station-based games;
• engineering games;
• creative communication games;
• story-based dynamic games;
• simulation games.

In her presentation, Evgeniya examined four popular formats in more detail: case games, station-based games, role-playing games, and engineering games. These formats are actively used for training and skills development, allowing participants to immerse themselves in practical situations and apply theoretical knowledge in practice. Case games help analyze real business situations, station-based games promote teamwork, role-playing games allow you to develop communication skills, and engineering games focus on solving technical problems. Each of these areas has its own characteristics and advantages, making them relevant for various educational and corporate programs.

Case games are a teaching method aimed at developing skills in highly uncertain environments. Experts note that case games can also be referred to as case studies or case analysis. However, the term "game" emphasizes that the game format does not necessarily require using real-life situations from the participants' experiences. This allows for the creation of diverse scenarios that help participants develop critical thinking and make decisions under conditions of limited information. Case games are becoming an effective tool for training specialists in various fields, improving their ability to adapt to changing conditions and find optimal solutions.

According to the expert, case-based games are ideal for developing leadership skills, as they foster the development of key competencies required by top managers. These games help develop critical thinking, make informed decisions, and improve communication and teamwork skills. In addition, they allow you to practice strategic planning and risk management in conditions close to real business situations.

• analytical thinking - the ability to analyze complex situations, identify the causes of problems and find effective solutions;
• creativity - an unconventional approach to problem solving, the ability to think creatively;
• strategic thinking - the ability to build long-term and short-term strategies, anticipate the consequences of your actions and adapt to changes in the situation;
• communication skills - the ability to convince others of your point of view and make collective decisions.

In one of the analytical case games developed by Evgenia's team, each participant was provided with unique elements of information. Players had to combine their knowledge to achieve a common goal - according to the plot, they had to navigate a tanker with valuable cargo to the destination port, overcoming various obstacles. Another game focused on strategic management: participants, playing the roles of managers of businesses located near a lake, had to balance profitability with protecting the ecosystem. Such case studies develop analytical thinking and teamwork skills, making them an effective training tool for the corporate sector.

The role-playing format involves each participant assuming the role of a character and gaining practical experience in a simulated situation. Role-playing games promote the development of communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills, making them an effective tool for learning and self-improvement. Participants can experiment with various scenarios, allowing them to better understand the behavior and motivations of others.

Games contribute significantly to personal and skill development, according to Evgenia. They help improve cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and logical thinking. Furthermore, playing games develops team spirit and collaboration skills, which is especially important in modern society. Games can be an effective tool for stress relief and mood improvement, helping users cope with everyday challenges. They can also serve as a learning tool, allowing users to absorb information in an engaging way. Overall, games are not only entertaining but also help develop important life skills.

• They develop communicative competence—the ability to express one's intentions and needs in a way that others understand.

• They expand the range of role models a person can draw upon. The game gives participants the opportunity to try on a role that is usually unfamiliar to them, preparing for a "growth" role—for example, a leadership role.

• They help develop empathy—the ability to put oneself in the shoes of an interaction partner, understanding their motives and expectations.

• They teach how to react and act in situations of uncertainty, when the goals of other participants are not entirely clear or their behavior is difficult to predict, and circumstances can change unpredictably.

The speaker gave examples of negotiation role-playing games in which participants act as opponents, defending their interests. Team games were also mentioned, where players work towards a common goal, making their proposals in accordance with their role. For example, in a game about building a pyramid based on the specifications of a pharaoh who commissions the project, and who makes changes to the project along the way, participants must adapt and find optimal solutions to successfully complete the task.

In a station-based game, participants progressively develop their skills by completing various situations linked by a common theme. Such games effectively utilize quest mechanics based on travel or treasure hunting. At each stage, players practice specific competencies and skills, allowing them not only to have fun but also to deepen their knowledge and abilities. This approach promotes deeper learning and creates an engaging gaming experience.

According to Evgeniya Shvetsova, playing by stations provides the opportunity to develop almost any skill. This approach is especially effective for improving the following skills:

• strategic skills — intellectual potential, problem-solving skills, creativity;

• operational skills — timely decision-making, time management, organizational skills;

• challenge management skills — conflict management, leadership skills, results orientation;

• interpersonal skills — understanding other people, teamwork.

Evgenia cited as an example a BITOBE game called "Archipelago of Values." In this game, participants go on a journey between islands, each of which symbolizes one of the company's key values. Each island reveals the content and significance of values ​​such as safety, initiative, and others. The game helps to deeper understand corporate values ​​and promotes their implementation in the daily practices of employees.

In engineering games, participants team up to create or build together, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, leadership, and project management. These games foster collaboration and creative thinking skills, allowing players to solve complex problems and achieve shared goals. Engineering games are not only entertaining but also educational, making them a valuable tool for developing professional engineering skills.

According to the speaker, engineering games are aimed at developing key skills and competencies necessary for success in the engineering field. These games promote critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and teamwork. Participants acquire practical skills that can be applied to real-world projects and tasks. Engineering games also help to generate interest in technical professions and develop innovative thinking, which is an important aspect in today's technological world.

• communication skills - productive teamwork to successfully complete engineering tasks;
• analytical thinking - the ability to analyze complex situations, identify the causes of problems and find effective solutions;
• creativity for an unconventional approach and the search for innovative solutions;
• the ability to make team decisions in the face of uncertainty and limited resources.

In the "Design Bureau" game, a team works on creating technical specifications, while another team develops an item based on these requirements. This game allows participants to develop teamwork and design skills, as well as an understanding of the development process from idea to implementation.

How to choose a business game format

Evgenia has developed an algorithm for choosing a game that helps determine the most suitable option for achieving specific employee development goals. The algorithm includes five steps to effectively evaluate and select a game that meets the team's needs and training objectives.

• Defining training objectives. At this stage, you need to identify and formulate the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities you want participants to develop through the business game.
• Audience research. Researching the target audience will help determine their current level of knowledge and skills, work experience, preferences, and interests.
• Finding a suitable game. This stage involves analyzing and selecting the option most suitable for the training goals and meeting the audience's needs.
• Adapting the game to the context. You need to try to take into account the specifics of the industry in which the target audience works, identify business situations relevant to them, and adapt the plot and game processes to them.
• Evaluation and analysis of results. After the game, it's important to evaluate participants' progress in developing the necessary skills and use audience feedback to further improve the game.

International expert in game pedagogy, Ekaterina Kudryavtseva, noted in an interview with Skillbox Media that the game can serve several functions simultaneously. It serves as a diagnostic tool, allowing one to identify both promising and ineffective managers. Furthermore, the game helps people recognize their strengths and weaknesses and identify competencies they lack. This process contributes to the development of essential skills and abilities, which is especially important in today's labor market. Gamification techniques are becoming a valuable resource for professional and personal development.