Facilitation game – Charting Direction

The team compass challenge facilitation game

Objective of the Facilitation Game

The Journey to Team Success is designed to help teams map out and explore key elements that contribute to collective achievement. This engaging game uses a metaphorical “treasure map” framework to visualize aspects like purpose, team roles, goals, values, and action plans. Through interactive elements, participants will identify the group’s strengths and assets, discuss goals, and address potential obstacles, creating a collaborative action plan to guide them forward.

When to Use This Facilitation Game Play

This game is perfect for team kick-off meetings, project initiations, or team alignment sessions. It’s also helpful for established teams that want to refocus on their goals and refresh their understanding of their collective mission and individual roles within it.

Game Setup

To play Journey to Team Success, set up a chart with the metaphorical zones labeled:

• Treasure Box (Purpose)
• People Discussing (People & Roles)
• People Going Together (Team Goals)
• Sun (Values)
• Person Climbing (Personal Goals)
• Roadmap (Needs & Expectations)
• Ship (Strengths & Assets)
• Obstacles (Weaknesses & Risks)
• Person with Roadmap (Rules & Action Plans)

Materials Needed:

• Printed or digital chart
• Post-it notes, markers
• Dice for zone selection
• Timer
• Dot stickers for voting

Explore similar facilitation charts at Visual Thinking School and consider checking out our certification course for more visual facilitation tools.

Game Phases

Phase 1: Setting the Scene – “Mapping Our Team Adventure”

Instructions:

1. Begin by introducing the chart and explaining each zone, emphasizing how each element (e.g., Treasure Box, Sun) represents a key area of team focus.
2. Distribute Post-its and markers to each participant.
3. Allow each participant to roll a die to determine which zone they’ll contribute to first, adding an element of chance to the process.

Time: 5-10 minutes

Phase 2: Explore & Share – “Navigating Zones”

Instructions:

1. When participants roll the die, they will land in a specific zone (1 for Purpose, 2 for People & Roles, etc.).
2. In the chosen zone, each participant will place a Post-it with their insight:

• Treasure Box (Purpose): Write what they believe is the team’s core purpose.
• People & Roles: Define their role and how they see it supporting the team’s mission.
• Sun (Values): Share a personal or team value that they see as essential.
• Obstacles: List any potential risks or weaknesses they foresee.

1. Set a timer (1-2 minutes) for each share to maintain focus and momentum.

Time: 20-25 minutes

Phase 3: Prioritize & Align – “Dot Vote Discovery”

Instructions:

1. After each participant has contributed across the zones, distribute dot stickers.
2. Invite participants to place their dots on the Post-its that resonate most with them. This voting step helps the team identify aligned priorities and shared values.
3. Tally the most-voted items, especially in key zones like Purpose, Values, and Action Plans.

Time: 10-15 minutes

Phase 4: Chart the Path – “Set the Course with Action Plans”

Instructions:

1. Move to the Rules & Action Plans zone on the chart. Ask each participant to identify one action they can take to support the team’s progress toward the “treasure” (Purpose).
2. Use tokens or markers to track these commitments visually, creating a collective action path toward team success.
3. Optionally, use a timer to keep this phase brisk, ensuring all action commitments are shared within a set time.

For more facilitation resources and to develop your skills further, consider our visual facilitation certification course.

Time: 10 minutes

Reflection and Wrap-Up – “Anchoring Takeaways”

Instructions:

1. Conclude with a reflection round, asking each participant to share one key takeaway and one action they are committed to.
2. Capture these insights for future reference, and if appropriate, take a group photo of the final chart to maintain as a team reference.

Time: 5-10 minutes

Tips for Success

• Consider adding a “wildcard” option on the dice, allowing participants to choose any zone.
• Add small icons or images representing each zone’s metaphor (e.g., a small sun for Values, a mini ship for Strengths & Assets).
• Explore additional facilitation resources in this visual facilitation guide to deepen your toolkit.

By exploring each team member’s perspective, Journey to Team Success builds alignment, inspires shared purpose, and identifies obstacles and solutions collaboratively. This approach allows teams to co-create a dynamic action plan with meaningful team contributions.

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Piyuesh is the founder of Visual Thinking School, Netherlands. He is passionate about empowering organizations and classrooms with Visual Thinking Skills. He conducts trainings onBusiness Sketchnotes™ , Classroom Sketchnotes™, Visual Business Storytelling™, Graphic Facilitation™

In his free time, piyuesh likes practicing Aerial Yoga, Acro yoga, Krav Maga and Pole workouts.

He can be reached out at his Instagram and Linkedin