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Reversal™
Reversal Case Study
How does it work?
A complex 3D model is only available to be viewed for very limited periods of time and under controlled conditions. A team must work together to reproduce a 2D diagram of the model, in a different format and to a different scale. They need high quality briefing and disciplined performance if they are to succeed within the constraints imposed upon them.
What are the learning outcomes?
The facilitator determines the key learning through the use of the review process.
Key learning can be identified in areas of:
- Supervisory skills of role definition, job allocation, delegation Briefing and instructional skills: precision in communication
- The recognition of individual ability and appropriate levels of challenge
- The ability to acknowledge and deal with error in a positive way
- Controlling and managing information, time and quality
Give me an example of how it is used.
1. Design Director, Geoff Cox designed and delivered a leadership development initiative in the Czech Republic for a major European utility company. One of the key requirements of this programme was to improve and re-balance the movement of information between the subsidiary operating companies and the national head office. Before tackling the specifics of what knowledge should be communicated and how this was best done, it was important to examine the dynamics of the process of knowledge-transfer in remote situations. Reversal offered the perfect tool to achieve this process analysis. The transfer process was broken down and examined at a number of stages. For example, knowledge management strategy, central briefing, information collection and managing transfer environments. Observations from the experiential exercise were used to identify hypothetical best practice. These hypotheses were then applied to the operational realities of the organisation to localise and embed the learning from the Reversal session. The learning has now been implemented, and a combination of increased familiarity between leaders, and established best-practice has produced the desired corporate outcome.2. A client of RSVP Design from NHS Dumfries and Galloway who purchased Reversal said:
"I have used Reversal a number of times with both functional teams and learning groups or sets formed for the duration of a programme. When used alongside other experiential activities, it gives a mental/spatial dimension to group problem-solving that complements other more physical or kinaesthetic tasks.
The ability to handle spatial information correlates closely to Strategic Thinking. Reversal really challenges groups but I've also seen it allow some quieter, more reflective team members the opportunity to demonstrate that they can offer something to the group. The ability to memorise 3D patterns, transpose them onto a 2D surface while your colleagues are asking you lots of questions and interrupting your train of thought requires tenacity.
I recommend Reversal as an activity that brings real added value to team development sessions."
3. An excellent use of Reversal was illustrated to us in a programme in which subject specialists were receiving trainer training in preparation for running technical skills training sessions. Individuals were asked to lead the Reversal exercise, using briefing, instructing and coaching skills to ensure that the team members they were working with were able to complete the task. Participants received feedback from the trainers around the effectiveness of their communication and the extent to which they were able to recognise and support individual learners' needs.
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