Scope Creep - Corporate Focus Game

A scope creep is on a focus corporate focus game.  Employees were demonstrating some focus signs in their work activities, so I volunteer to plan and put on a game that would stimulate their focus.  The game was set up with game rules that needed to be followed or elimination from the game would occur.  Planning was required to purchase the material, instructions, set up the game room, strategies of the game, as well as to solicit volunteers to work and play the focus game. 

The game was a card game and its objective was to separate all the spades, diamonds, hearts, and curbs and to be the first one to do this to win.  The rules were once you were completed, you needed the stand up, push your chair in and stand behind your chair.  The other rules were once your team called out finished, the cards could not be touched or your team would be eliminated.   The other card rule was each stack, when finished, had to be flipped showing each team members hand; the results should be that each team player was left with only one color and all the cards in that color. 

There were to be twelve teams, six tables, ample chairs for each employee.  Scope creep set in when I noticed the game did not have enough coaches to oversee the event.  I also noticed that the instructions were unclear to some of the team players.  All of this had an enormous impact on the success of the game. 

The game became disorganized and not supportive to the needs of the players.  One point was when a team called out finished, there were not enough of coaches to go over to see if they completed the task successfully.  Even I had gotten blinded by the colors in the cards and became unfocused, whereas I could not tell immediately if I was looking at a correct set of hands.  This in turn made me realize how the game really stimulated your vision and did what it was meant to do.  At the same time, the players were very cooperative, respectful, and very patient throughout the process.  At the same time, the game had taken much longer than anticipated.

What I should do in the future, if this game is played again, is first, after I obtain all the players, ensure personally that each player knows the game rules and if they have any questions about anything.  Second, I would solicit enough of coaches, based on per team, which would have been twelve.  Third, I would have that meeting with all coaches to ensure they also know how to play the game, rules, strategies, and table assignments.  The bottom line for this project is that the timeline, tasks, and communication should flow continously.  That is, in a timely manner.


Reference:

Video Program: Dr. Stolvitch “Monitoring Projects” retrieved from EDUC-6145-1 Project  Management in Education and Training, Walden University, 4/7/2011.