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The organizational simulation borrows from the work of Barry Oshry, and mirrors many of the design elements and dynamics of the power workshops that he originally developed. An excellent summary and overview of Oshry's work is in his book, Seeing Systems, published by Berrett-Koehler. More information about the workshops is available at Power + Systems, the training and consulting group that Oshry founded. Phone is 617-437-1640).
This simulation is a condensed version of Oshry's workshop intended specifically for use in college or university courses taught by instructors with skill and experience in the use of involving experiential activities. It incorporates in a brief format a variety of organizational dynamics, particularly around structure and power. The simulation creates a three-tier firm whose business is producing slogans. There is also a client group that wants to buy slogans. The question is whether they can make a deal, and the vendor can produce and deliver the product. In the 60 to 75 minutes that the simulation runs (depending on the schedule you choose), it tends to come down to the wire: some groups succeed, others don't. A successful transaction is more likely with 75 minutes than with 60. The simulation is very flexible in terms of group size, and robust with respect to experience levels and kinds of participants -- undergraduates, graduate and EMBA students all tend to find it involving and memorable.
We have created materials for three different versions of the simulation. The simulation materials are copyrighted, but instructors in college and university courses are granted automatic permission to use the materials and to make copies for their students, on condition that all copies carry the copyright notice and author credits. For uses outside university courses, contact Power and Systems at (617) 437-1640.
Click on the one you want to find sample handouts for that version:
1. Private sector
2. Education
3. Public sector
The three are identical except that the identity of the client group (NMBL, NEBL, or PABL) and the content of the slogans align (loosely) to the audience. Instructors in higher education courses are free to download the handouts and modify them to suit their circumstances, but we ask that you retain the credit line on the first page of the instructions. (Note: the dashed lines in each set of instructions indicate page breaks. Each file also includes a sample of how we format the rosters, and group labels that can be used as signage to mark different groups' spaces.)'
