Richer Roles is a simple flexible outcome-oriented game designed to enable and encourage healthy and productive discussion of sometimes difficult topics. It's purpose is to help diffuse tension and encourage teams to adapt their responsibilities to the specific contexts they are working in, helping them to cope with changing or otherwise unusual circumstances.
The game's inventor Laurence Wood is an agile coach and agile gaming innovator certified in Agile PM, Agile DS, DSDM, PRINCE2 and Disciplined Agile.
Key features:
- Laurence has crafted 50 statements describing common responsibilities that are required in many software delivery departments and multiple agile frameworks.
- Teams are invited to gather and select one of 13 role names that they think suit them, then share out the responsibilities they are committed to.
You will receive a digital version of the cards when you buy a deck. This version will contain individual image files of each card to facilitate sessions on screen if you like
Since the cards are all unique, any uncertainty around who does what in the team will need to be resolved. The cards will never reflect any specific job description, or "correct" distribution for your team. This provides a sense of psychological safety, since it is "just a set of game cards". The true value is in the interesting conversations necessary to successfully complete the game.
Discrete markings on the card reveal Laurence's mapping between role and responsibility enabling facilitators to spot when one person has committed to responsibilities that bridge two traditional roles. Facilitators have the option to point out the presence of role bridging team members to provoke conversations they feel will be helpful. Is that person overloaded? Do they need training, support or extra patience?
Richer Roles is an invaluable resource in when teams need to form or reform in times of change and uncertainty. If your staff turnover is high, you are growing, or reacting to a changing market then use this game to help teams reflect and adapt.
