Each game board can accommodate groups of between 6 and 8 players with up to 10 games possible for large conferences. Each player assumes a role typically found in a commercial organisation with each role being described by a role card. Players move poker chips around the board in accordance with their role card, deciding the number of chips to move in order to increase the total value on the board. One full round of 8 moves represents a week in the life of the business at the end of which, results are recorded and displayed. The winning group is the one with the most value on the board at the end of an agreed number of weeks. A typical game lasts 3 hours.


Playing Collaboration has benefits for individuals, teams and organisations alike.

Individuals are able to discuss issues such as unclear accountability that have been exposed by the game that couldn't be raised safely in the real world.

Teams experience genuine collaboration and learn how to cooperate more effectively across boundaries at work.

Organisations benefit by learning how to grow organisational capacity, customer satisfaction and business results simultaneously.

By tailoring the game board to suit your industry and introducing external influences such as competition, the game becomes an accurate metaphor for a growing business and can be used to develop strategic thinking amongst a board or directors. It can even be adapted for project groups wanting to build relationships with clients or public bodies wanting to develop public / private partnership.

Whatever your position in the organisation, Collaboration will help you to:

• view the business from other people's perspective
• understand the interdependencies
• communicate across functions
• collectively resolve issues
• make “joined up” decisions

Collaboration shows how success depends on both human and financial capital:

• demand is created by new products and services
• products and services are developed through investment in capacity
• reputation is determined by quality of delivery
• quality of delivery is determined by the capability of staff,
• capability is dependent on retention and development of staff
• demand and reputation are linked in the customer’s mind