This is an easy to execute team development activity that is fun, quick and provides good learning and discussion about teamwork and planning projects. It can be done in a meeting room and requires simple materials. Here is a summary of the activity:
- Team members discuss and plan their project
- Team members organize themselves according to their plan
- Team members act according to the instructions provided
- Team members debrief the activity with the facilitator and pinpoint key learning points
Purpose
- To have team members work together and experience teamwork as they build the tallest structure out of straws and pins (or masking tape)
Participants
- Minimum 3 maximum 50 divided into teams of 5 (to equalize odd number of participants, have the odd person assist the facilitator in some way, such as noting the team that works most cohesively)
Time
- 30-45 minutes. Five minutes to plan the team’s strategy, 10-15 minutes to build the structure and 10-15 minutes to debrief.
Supplies
- Packages of straws of approx. 60 (one package per team)
- Pins or masking tape
- Index cards or paper
- Pens
Flow
Explain to the participants that they will be divided into even number of teams to conduct a team activity, which is to build the tallest structure they can in 15 minutes (you can designate 5 minutes for planning and 10 minutes to build the structure or just provide 15 minutes and discuss the time used for strategizing in the debriefing).
Handout the straws and pins (or masking tape). Set the timer and start the activity. Let them know when each 5 minutes has passed and let them know when 2 minutes is left. Call time and end the activity.
Review each structure and announce the winning team. Have everyone applaud the winners.
Debriefing
This is a great exercise to discuss the components of teamwork. It is especially effective for those who have been through teamwork training to help them recall the skills they should have learned. It is also excellent as an icebreaker activity to introduce teamwork training.
Here are some questions to ask the participants and generate discussion. Formulate your own as well.
What was the biggest challenge you feel your team faced?
Did you give enough time to planning your approach?
How well were you able to reach consensus on your plan?
How effective were you in assigning roles?
Did an informal leader emerge?
What was the level of participation from each member?
How well did members listen to each other?
Did any conflicts arise? How were they resolved?
What would they do differently next time to improve their performance?
Variations
Provide specific teamwork skills that the teams should be aware of during the exercise and during the debriefing period, discuss how well they used these skills. Some skills to use are strategizing, planning, consensus, active listening, participation, role assignment, etc.
Assign one person per team to act as an observer to see how well the team used the teamwork skills. They would provide feedback during the debrief. You can let everyone know the skills that the observers will be evaluating or just let the observers know.