XB C SMC F 2007
This exercise demonstrates the usefulness of planning by having members do a simple activity first without planning and then after having planned.
Phase 1.
1) Count the number of people in the group. Do not have the members count off.
2) Have the group bunch up so that it has no natural, physical structure.
3)
The group’s goal is to count to this number, i.e., to count off.
If there are 12 people, the goal will be to count to 12.
4) When the timer tells them to start, the group must count off in ascending order without any communication or discussion of tactics.
5) Every member must say one number. If more than one member says a number at the same time, the counting starts over at one. This process goes on until the group counts off without communication and without repeating.
6) Write on the board the time it takes the group to count off.
Phase 2.
1) The group is given five minutes to plan before the counting begins. The group may plan however they wish, but there will be no communication once the counting starts.
2) This phase will be timed as well. Write the time on the board.
Let the group draw its conclusions through discussion. The second phase should take considerably less time than the first. So the benefits of planning should be come out in the discussion.