We have devised 4 different games to play with Iterative Incremental Big Bang. However, these are only suggestions, so please feel free to play with the cards in a way that will best benefit you, your teams, organisations and clients. You can see how others have used the cards here.
Click for PDF version of the rules
Game 1 “Poker-style” (max ~ 10 players)
This is an entry-level game and should be run after an explanation of the concepts of iterative, incremental and big bang. Ideally, this will be run by an experienced facilitator.
- Each player is given a set of 3 approach (white) cards
- One player acts as the dealer and reads out a scenario (black) card
- Each player (not dealer) chooses their preferred approach to tackle the scenario and places the corresponding approach card face down on the table in front of them
- Once everyone has chosen a card, they are all declared
- Each player then has 1 minute to explain why they chose the approach they did (dealer may choose who goes first)
- Group discusses validity of each approach
- After 5-10 minutes, another scenario card is drawn and the process starts again
Game 2 “Lose the cards” (max ~ 10 players)
This is similar to game 1, but the aim is to players to lose all of their cards. It may require a bit more ability from participants, but is a good session for teams.
- Same person plays the Dealer for the whole game
- Each player is given a set of 3 approach (white) cards
- Dealer reads out a scenario (black) card
- Each player (except the Dealer) chooses their preferred approach to tackle the scenario and places the corresponding approach card face down on the table in front of them*
- Once everyone has chosen a card, they are all declared
- Each player takes in turn to explain why they chose the approach they did (max 30 seconds each)
- Dealer chooses a winning approach based on which arguments that were most convincing
- All players who chose the winning approach get to discard their card into the centre of the table
- Repeat from step 3
- The winner is the first player to get rid of all their approach cards
* The twist in this game is that, as players are only allowed to declare an approach on a card they are still holding, they may be forced to formulate an argument for an approach they don’t necessarily agree is best for the scenario being discussed.
Game 3 “Dealer’s debate” (max 53 players)
This game takes formulating arguments one step further. It would be really useful for team bonding and for discussion groups, where there is a mixture of experience in the group.
- Setup: count out enough approach (white) cards for players to have one card each, ensuring there is an even split of each type of approach card
- One player takes the role of dealer
- Dealer shuffles the approach cards and deals a single approach card, face down, to each player (not dealer)
- Dealer takes a scenario (black) card and reads it out to the group
- Players with matching approach cards group together and have 15 minutes to formulate an argument for their approach.
- Each of the three groups then has 1 minute to present why their approach is best (Dealer can choose order of speakers if necessary)
- Dealer then chooses which team was most convincing and declares a winner for the round
- All approach cards are then returned to the dealer
- Dealer passes approach cards to the person on their right – who then takes the role of dealer for the next round
- Repeat from step 3
Game 4 “Vote debate” (max 52 players)
A twist of game 3 which removes the role of dealer. It requires the team to self-organise and agree on a winner.
- Setup: count out enough approach (white) cards for players to have one card each, ensuring there is an even split of each type of approach card
- One player takes the role of dealer
- Dealer shuffles the approach cards and deals a single approach card, face down, to each player (including dealer)
- Dealer takes a scenario (black) card and places it face up on the table
- Players (including dealer) with matching approach cards group together and have 15 minutes to formulate an argument for their approach
- Each of the three groups then has 1 minute to present why their approach is best
- Players then vote on which argument was best and declare a winner for the round
- All approach cards are then returned to the dealer
- Dealer passes approach cards to the person on their right – who then takes the role of dealer for the next round
- Repeat from step 3
Click for PDF version of the rules