This method is designed to help the participants understand the complexities of everyday reality in a simulated (and simplified) situation and to recognize system-immanent constraints, options, consequences and alternatives. The participants adopt roles in which their behaviour and decisions modify the overall framework and thus determine what happens during the game. Simulation games are used in many different ways: the issues range from business strategies via sustainable development to training in social skills.

Suitable

• as a preparatory step, to illuminate the socio-political context of the project / the problem 
• for spotlighting and understanding complex frameworks, constraints and options

Sequence of events

The participants are confronted with a specific situation taken from a field of everyday activity in which they are to solve particular problems. The roles in the conflict are predetermined; the participants choose roles, and then seek to achieve the best result (for the role selected) during the game. The game lasts several rounds, and includes periodic feedback to the participants to make the connection between their actions and the consequences clear. Within the game setup the participants can develop possible solutions and try out alternatives.

A supervisor is on hand throughout the game, documents the course of events, may intervene at certain points, and finally terminates the game and chairs the subsequent phase of talking over what happened.

Preparation: the participants are informed about the game, the objectives and the rules, and the roles are assigned.

The actual game: here reality is simulated by a model. The “actors“ decide and act in line with their roles. This alters the system parameters, and hidden connections become visible.

Analysis and conclusions: first the result of the game, the course it took and the “actors’” behaviour are analysed, then the model situation is compared with reality. Important conclusions for the real situation can be drawn at this stage.

Participants

Ordinary citizens, planners, specialists, politicians, administrators and managers.

Points to note

• Simulation games arouse people’s emotions – which means that this method is unsuitable for conflict-ridden situations. 
• It is important to allow enough time for analysis and conclusions, so that the participants can talk the game over in detail and also say goodbye to their roles.