Measuring teamwork in a high-pressure situation can be effectively done through various games and activities that require collaboration, communication, and quick decision-making. One good option is the “Escape Room” challenge. Here’s how you can utilize it:

Activity: Escape Room Challenge

Objective: Assess teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making under pressure.

How it Works:

1. Setup:

2. Organize a real or virtual escape room experience. If you’re using a physical location, you can book an escape room facility. For virtual teams, there are several online escape room platforms available.

3. Team Composition:

4. Divide participants into teams of 4-6. Ensure a mix of skills and roles within each team to encourage diverse contributions.

5. Instructions:

6. Provide an overview of the escape room scenario. Teams will have a limited time (usually 60 minutes) to solve puzzles and challenges to “escape.”

7. Observation Metrics:

8. During the activity, observe the following key areas:

   • Communication: How well do team members share information and ideas? Are they listening to each other?
   • Collaboration: Are team members working together, or are some dominating the discussions?
   • Role Allocation: Do teams naturally assign roles based on strengths? How do they adapt if someone is struggling?
   • Stress Management: How do teams handle disagreements or setbacks? Do they remain focused under pressure?
   • Problem-Solving: How effectively does the team generate ideas and solutions together?

9. Debrief:

10. After completing the escape room, hold a debriefing session. Discuss what worked well and what didn’t. Encourage teams to reflect on the experience and what they learned about their teamwork dynamics under pressure.

Alternative Activity: Team Challenges

If an escape room isn’t feasible, consider designing a series of timed team challenges that focus on quick decision-making and collaboration, such as:

1. Trust Fall Exercises: Evaluates trust and reliance on each other.
2. Building Challenges: Use limited materials to build a structure under a time constraint.
3. Strategic Board Games: Choose games that require negotiation and strategy, like “Catan” or “Pandemic.”

Conclusion

Using these activities not only provides insight into the dynamics of teamwork under pressure but also fosters bonding and communication among team members. It’s a fun and engaging way to identify strengths and areas for improvement within the team!