Keypunch

Group Size: 10-30

Time: 45 minutes.

Props Required: one boundary rope approximately 50' long, 30 rubber spots (or carpet squares or paper plates) numbered from 1-30, one cone.

Setup: Before the group assembles, form a rectangle on the group with the boundary rope. Spread out the numbered spots within the boundary rope so that consecutive numbers are spread far apart from one another. To the casual observer, these should seem to be placed in a seemingly random fashion. This will form your keypad. Place the cone as a starting/ending point approximately 10 yards away from the keypad.

Activity Instructions:

1. With your group assembled and standing behind the starting point, explain that a terrible computer virus has infected the main computers at the IRS and that this group of computer experts has been hired to disinfect the system (someone will ask "For the IRS ... why?" Be creative).

2. In order to disinfect the system, the team must enter the "restricted area" (anywhere beyond the starting cone, press the keys (spots) on the keyboard (anywhere within the rope boundary) in sequential order from one to 30, and get out of the "restricted area" in less than 30 seconds, with the following two stipulations:
   • there may only be one person actually contacting the keyboard (i.e., the spots and/or the spaces between the spots, anywhere within the rope boundary) at any one time. Should two or more individuals be contacting the keyboard at one time, the board is "fried" and the group must begin again at number one. Time, of course, continues.

   • Keys must be touched in order. If any keys are touched out of order, the board is "fried" and the group must begin again at number one. Time, of course, continues.

3. The group has a total of four attempts to disinfect the computer, time for each attempt beginning when the first person in the group moves past the starting cone on their way to the keypad and ending when the last person arrives back at the cone.

4. At the end of 45 minutes, the computer will crash irrevocably with the terrible consequence that all of the money from everyone's pay check will automatically be withdrawn (or something like that). You get the picture - the group has a 45 minute time limit from NOW.

Facilitator Notes:

1. The first attempt will be much longer than thirty seconds as the group has not even seen the keyboard up to this point. Successful groups often use either the first or second attempt to truly study the situation and attempt multiple solutions while letting the clock run.

2. Key turning points for the group: they realize that all can be involved rather than just one person; that they can touch the keys with hands as well as feet; most significantly, that they can slow down and use one of their attempts to study and practice.  (Don't tell them this; this is for you to know and for them to discover ... but you knew that, right?)
3. Key team skills: making sure all ideas are heard; involving all members in the process and solution; solving a problem under pressure.

Sound intriguing? Find more problem-solving activities for corporate groups in the book Executive Marbles.