Situation Replays

In "teams"

Overview

Participants are given an envelope containing a scenario that they will be asked to respond to. The remainder of the group will be asked to comment on the response.

Timing

About 3 minutes per scenario.

Preparation

Write out 1 scenario for each participant.

Number each scenario.

Enclose each scenario in a separate envelope.

Mark the outside of the envelope with the scenario number and a light hearted but clear instruction such as: "Do not open the envelope until Christmas unless asked to do so by agreement of almost everyone in the room."

Procedure

Distribute one envelope to each participant
Ask the holder of envelope number 1 to open the envelope and read it aloud.
Ask the reader to suggest a solution to the situation.
Ask others for additional solutions
Summarise the solutions, making the point that you intended to make when you chose this scenario.

Technique Review

The exercise adds a little hoop-la to a traditional oral test.

By placing the questions in envelopes, participants are not likely to be composing their own answer or answers to subsequent questions when the situation is being dealt with.

Sample Questions

Each of the questions was prefaced with the following instruction:

You have recently been assigned as a training specialist to an organisation which has the following situation:

The situation follows, then this question:

How would you resolve this situation?

Situation 1:

Members of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee are addressing issues which do not fit within their role definition.

Situation 2:

Staff are complaining that they are spending ever increasing time in meetings and that their real jobs are suffering.

Situation 3

A new type of fire extinguisher has been introduced into the office complex.

Situation 4

As a result of recent adverse publicity, counter staff at a bank are having to deal with an increasing number of customers who wish to close their accounts.

Situation 5

An executive has complained about the way that the lunch time relief receptionist handles the switchboard.

Situation 6

A non smoking policy has been introduced. Supervisors have requested training in how to counsel employees who are affected by the new rules. Company philosophy places responsibility for this type of counselling on the line supervisor.

Situation 7

Senior executives are notoriously poor at using projectors in presentations. You have been asked to develop a program which will lead to a major improvement in the standard of presentations. The executives concerned never have time to attend training sessions.

Situation 8

As a major sponsor of the Grand Prix races, your chief executive has been invited to drive a car in the pro-celebrity race. She believes she needs training beforehand.

Situation 9

Existing cab drivers need additional training to cope with tourists arriving for the summer season.

Situation 10

Expense claim forms are not being filled in properly. This ties up office staff who often have to contact the responsible people for further information or otherwise adjust the claims to ensure correct payment