Plan and design a team building activity and compile a post evaluation questionnaire
Team Building Activity: "Escape the Maze"
Objective: To promote problem-solving, communication, and collaboration among team members.
Description:
1. Set up a maze using ropes, cones, or other obstacles in a designated area.
2. Divide the team into smaller groups of 4-6 members.
3. Each group has to work together to navigate through the maze and reach the other side within a given time limit (e.g., 30 minutes).
4. The team members are blindfolded, except for one designated leader who can see, and must rely on effective communication and trust to guide their blindfolded teammates through the maze.
5. The team that successfully finishes the maze within the shortest time wins.
Post Evaluation Questionnaire:
1. On a scale of 1-10, how well do you think the team worked together during the activity? (1 = poorly, 10 = excellently)
2. Did the activity help to improve communication within the team? Please elaborate.
3. How did the blindfolds contribute to the team's ability to trust each other?
4. What challenges did you face while navigating through the maze? How did you overcome them as a team?
5. Were there any conflicts or disagreements within the team during the activity? If yes, how were they resolved?
6. Did you have a designated leader in your group? How did their role contribute to the team's success?
7. How did you feel about relying on your teammates to guide you while blindfolded?
8. What did you learn about each other and the team dynamics through this activity?
9. Did you feel that the activity achieved its objective of improving problem-solving skills? Why or why not?
10. How can the lessons learned from this activity be applied to our work environment to enhance teamwork and collaboration?
Note: It is essential to adapt the questions to match the specific goals and objectives of the team building activity conducted.
Step 1: Plan and Design a Team Building Activity:
1. Define Objectives: Start by clarifying the objectives of your team building activity. Do you want to improve communication, enhance collaboration, foster trust, or solve a specific problem? Clearly defined objectives will help you design a relevant and effective activity.
2. Choose the Format: Decide on the format of the activity based on your team's preferences and the objectives you've set. Some common options include:
a. Outdoor Adventure: Engage your team in activities like hiking, obstacle courses, or team sports to promote teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience.
b. Problem-solving Challenges: Organize puzzles, escape rooms, or scavenger hunts to promote critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.
c. Creative Workshops: Conduct activities like painting, cooking, or music sessions to encourage creativity, collaboration, and out-of-the-box thinking.
3. Time and Location: Determine when and where the team building activity will take place. Consider the availability of your team members and choose a convenient location that supports the chosen format. Ensure the space is conducive to the activity and has the necessary resources.
4. Resources and Budget: Identify the resources required, such as equipment, facilitators, or materials, and allocate a budget accordingly. If needed, seek external assistance to conduct the activity effectively.
5. Plan the Logistics: Create a detailed plan outlining the schedule, roles and responsibilities, and any safety considerations. Communicate this plan to all participants well in advance, providing any necessary instructions or guidelines.
6. Facilitation: Assign a facilitator who can guide the team through the activities, ensuring everyone's active participation and a positive experience. The facilitator should be trained to handle any challenges that may arise during the activity.
Step 2: Compile a Post Evaluation Questionnaire:
After the team building activity, it's important to evaluate its effectiveness. Here's how you can compile a post evaluation questionnaire:
1. Determine Evaluation Criteria: Identify the specific aspects you want to assess, based on your original objectives. It could include areas such as team communication, collaboration, problem-solving, or overall satisfaction.
2. Design Questions: Create a combination of scale-based questions (e.g., rating scales or Likert scales) and open-ended questions to gather qualitative feedback. Make sure the questions are clear, concise, and aligned with the evaluation criteria.
3. Questionnaire Structure: Organize the questions logically, starting with general feedback about the activity and then moving into specific areas for evaluation. Use different question formats, such as multiple choice, rating scales, or open-ended responses, to capture diverse perspectives.
4. Include Demographic Questions: Add a section in the questionnaire to capture demographic data like job title, department, or years of experience. This information can help identify any patterns or trends in the responses.
5. Review and Test: Review the questionnaire for clarity, relevance, and coherence. Test it with a few team members to ensure it's easy to understand and complete within a reasonable time frame.
6. Administer and Analyze: Distribute the questionnaire to all participants, ensuring confidentiality and anonymity. Once collected, analyze the responses using statistical analysis for quantitative questions, and identify recurring themes or patterns in the qualitative feedback.
7. Report and Follow-up: Prepare a report summarizing the evaluation findings, including strengths, areas for improvement, and any suggested action points. Share the report with the team members and leadership, and discuss the outcomes to ensure actionable steps are taken to address identified issues.
Remember, the success of a team building activity lies not just in planning and execution, but also in the evaluation process that helps identify areas for growth and improvement.