Building The Bridge Business Game

The task for this construction game is to construct a self-supporting bridge, using only the 24 sticks provided. No other equipment is allowed and it must support a one kilogram weight.

Participants start construction of the bridge, beginning at both ends. The bridge brings them closer together as the two parts of the bridge become one. The key factors for success are coordination, cooperation and adjustment between the two subgroups.

It is vital the team thinks first because in the excitement and momentum of solving problems, buying resources and seeing your bridge materialise, it is hard to keep cool.

This challenging construction game is easily adapted to focus on different key skills, such as leadership and teamwork. The Trainer’s Guide and Team Briefing Sheets offer several options of running the game. 

• Effective leadership
• Read instructions carefully
• Consider all options
• Think and plan before acting
• Think outside the box
• Creative thinking
• Problem solving and decision making
• Optimise the use of individuals’ skills
• Team cooperation and teamwork
• Communicate effectively
• Manage time
• Meeting requirements
• Give feedback
• Trust, support and encourage other team members.

A key issue that also comes from the debrief is “a team is more than the sum of its parts.

• Introduce this training activity
• Issue Team Briefing sheets (there are different ones for different outcomes)
• After 30 to 60 minutes (depending on which option of the game you are running) stop the teams, test the width of the bridge and check it will take the weight
• Assess final scores
• Lead a debrief to discuss the learning outcomes and key lessons
• Relate the lessons to the workplace.

Full details are provided in the Trainer’s Notes.

• Building The Bridge Business Game PDF
• Business Games Brochure
• Course Brochure
• Team Building Brochure

“A great exercise: challenging but fun. It made us work as a team and proved that spending more money is not always the answer.”

“The bridge game was a real challenge. At first we thought it was difficult; then we came up with an answer and went for it. On reflection we should have considered more options before building it. We learnt so much from this game.”

“Everyone was fully involved and time was up before we finished. We had a good leader but no-one kept a note of the time. Ideal for project groups, new teams and junior management.”

It is possible to play Building The Bridge in other languages if the trainer verbally translates the English instructions.