The Game Within the Game
Posted: November 16, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a commentI think I forgot to explain the Game within “What’s the Game.” I make see games all around, and I make up rules to explain why people react the way they do in the environment they are in. Games are a way to “try new ideas” in a way that I can check the result by “trying the idea again under the same rules.”
There is an initial realization that I created codified rules for a game and that I have been play-testing them. I write a lot of this stuff down for future reference. Sometimes, those notes tell a story good enough to post. Writing about how a game is played is a way to deconstruct what I have been thinking about.
The Game
I usually begin a post with the above background. Generally, it is a compelling reflection on how I got to the point of making up rules to test.
The second section “The Game” explains those rules. I give a brief summary of how to play and what the rules really mean.
The closing section “Win Condition” talks about what I learned from the game. Why I would play it again, and what makes this particular post interesting.
Win Condition
Making up rules is an unconscious activity. However, sticking to the rules is somewhat difficult. Many rules I find ridiculous and I wonder why I created something so complicated or inane.
When the rules make a lot of sense for the situation, I feel like a winner. For me, playing is more important than winning.
Escalation–The Work Game
Posted: October 29, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Lean, Work Leave a comment
I am currently working to design a formal process to “bump problems up to the flag pole”. We call it, Escalation. This is a Lean Thinking tool where “Everybody Solve Problems Using Simple Methods”, and the simple method is to get the right expert to make the fix.
Initially, ESCALATION (the game part) came about because I wanted to model how we tell people to handle their problems at the Floor. We usually want people to try a few ideas before calling in the next level of expert. The current system has certain time triggers and requires people to do things on a schedule. The new system requires some problem solving and planning skills. Those are the skills I wanted to highlight with ESCALATION.
The Game
For me, the game was designing the game to fit what we wanted to teach: cooperation, planning, using your limited resources.
![clip_image006[6]](https://whatsthegame.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/clip_image0066.png "clip_image006[6]")
ESCALATION is a cooperative game where each player has a chance to get a role. They are specific to my work area, but you can see the progression – Operator, Core Leader, Maintenance, Maintenance Shift Leader, and Expert.
The game has an Idea Deck – things that you can do – but some ideas can only be played by certain roles. This is where it is important to give away roles to other players.
The machine is modeled by the bucket of RED chips or tokens. There are 10 to start the game. The goal is to pull three GREEN tokens from the machine. Some ideas put GREEN tokens into the machine – these are the things that make the machine run better. Other ideas pull tokens randomly from the machine – these are the things that get the machine “running green”.
Win Condition
![clip_image001[4]](https://whatsthegame.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/clip_image0014.png "clip_image001[4]")
For me, I accomplished the minimum objective, which was to create an abstraction of the work escalation so that we can talk about some important elements without getting into fault-finding, which is often the case with real examples.
Unfortunately, I made the game too complicated. It relies on a little more gamer knowledge than I anticipated. Some players found it new and difficult to understand two decks. The solution is to make the roles static and the mechanic of “escalation”, giving the idea to the right person.
The Files
This is a Publisher file of the ESCALATION Playmat. This is the PDF of the ESCALATION Playmat. The rules are included on the 11 x 17 page.
This is a Publisher file of the ESCALATION Idea Deck. This is the PDF of the ESCALATION Idea Deck. Print these double-sided on Avery 5389 (4 x 6 perforated postcards). Many of these ideas are obscure science fiction references. There is some flavor text, but I have yet to run into anyone who thought these were really funny.
This is a Publisher file of the ESCALATION Role Deck. This is the PDF of the ESCALATION Role Deck. Print these double-sided on Avery 5389 (4 x 6 perforated postcards). The role names can be changed. They should be coordinated with the Idea Cards. There are five for the game, but there are six because it works better for printing.
How you play the game
Posted: October 29, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Book, Business, School Leave a commentThere are games that we play all the time with ourselves. Whether for amusement or purpose, we construct rules to fight off the chaos of the outside world. What’s the Game talks about these diversions, how we play them and what we consider winning.
I try to make up interesting analogies that tie popular culture with business wisdom. Really, I just like to make a memorable statement so that I can use it later. This leads me to my new catch phrase, “Have you read my book?”
The Game
You can tell the contents of a book by its title — at least that is the case of the books that I would write. So, to remember a good management tip, I write a book title about it.
Have You Read My Book?
This book is about reading books. Or, at least, reminding people that they should have learned something recently. Asking this question reminds us to reflect on our experiences. Before embarking on a solution to a problem, ask yourself, “Have I seen or heard of this before?” Really look at the problem before jumping to conclusions.
The Sky Falls on Friday.
This book help people get things done by Friday. Don’t let little tasks hang on indefinitely. Assume that if someone asks for something, they want it by the next Friday at the latest. If you are consistently bombarded by requests, this book reminds us to make time during the week to respond to questions that come up.
Safety is on Sale
We often think that being safe is to “make sure we don’t get hurt.” This book emphasizes that safety is an investment. At the university, I have to cross the street from the parking lot to the business building. Often I see people crossing against the light. Wouldn’t it be better – cheaper if you will – to invest the half a minute waiting on the light than to cross into traffic?
I have an idea
If you have an idea, speak your mind. If you hear an idea, listen to it.
Win Condition
I win this game if I mention my book title and people ask for more information. Everybody wins when we start talking about how we can work together to be successful.
What's the Game? 