Planning a Simulation Exercise Lessons Learned

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Planning a Simulation Exercise Lessons Learned

• Kathy Nagy
• January 16, 2008

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Exercise Summary

• 1 day exercise 6-hour simulation exercise
• 75 participants from all offices Cleveland,
  Cincinnati, Pittsburgh
• Exercise objective
• Critical decision-making capability
• Exercise response, coordination, communications,
  and recovery mechanisms in reaction to the
  simulated crisis and terrorist events.
• Employed a scenario-based format with facilitated
  discussion to identify issues.
• Participants were requested to role-play in their
  real-life job roles when assessing the scenario,
  and making strategic and tactical decisions.

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Lessons Learned

• Tabletop vs. Simulation
• Cost
• High stress
• Considerable planning and the perspectives of a
  variety of stakeholders
• Form a design planning team
• Exercises should involve a limited number of
  participants
• Participants understand what is expected of them
  during the exercise
• Need commitment of all participants
• Define exercise objectives that are achievable

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Lessons Learned

• Ensure facilitators/observers understand their
  roles and responsibilities prior to the exercise
• Keep scenario and injects as realistic as
  possible
• Have additional injects
• Ensure room is large enough and conducive to
  promote learning
• Consider noise level
• Remove any distractions
• Audio visual/aids add realism

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Lessons Learned

• Have sufficient observers and facilitators on
  hand to control and monitor progress of the
  exercise
• Allow enough time for scenario to develop and
  play out
• Problem resolution
• Decision making must be forced, targeted, and
  time delineated
• Stop and access as needed

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Thank you!