2. Main Topics
Properties of games
Qualities games bring out in people
Challenges in the current PM environment
Applying game qualities to Project Management
Using games in Project Management
3. Properties of Games
All games have 4 defining traits:
Goal
Rules
Feedback system
Voluntary participation
4. Properties of Video Games
Video games have been refined to enhance
these four traits, especially feedback
Big additions with video games:
Global connectivity
Realistic/believable environments with no real life
consequences
5. Qualities Games Bring Out In
People
Main qualities discussed:
Problem solving
Motivation to learn
Management
Social interaction
6. Qualities Games Bring Out In
People - Problem Solving
Game rules limit available ways to approach a
situation
This causes the player to have to think in a
certain mindset that would not normally be used
Games encourage learning through failure
They also reward quick thinking
7. Qualities Games Bring Out In
People - Motivation To Learn
Many games take tens to hundreds of hours to
master
Mastery can be accomplished in two ways:
Playing the game (obviously)
Learning about the game (important)
Gamers have created huge knowledge bases
for many games that bring collective knowledge
to a higher standard
8. Qualities Games Bring Out In
People - Management
Many games require skills to manage:
Resources
Objectives
Time
Oneself
Others
9. Qualities Games Bring Out In
People - Social Interaction
Players in large-scale games meet and interact
with new people daily
Players also form long term groups with people
they might know in and/or out of a game
These games promote three major qualities:
Trustworthiness
Empathy
Team Building
10. Challenges in the Current Project
Management Environment
Constantly changing environment with
seemingly unclear direction
Outdated (reactive) practices/mindsets used
Requires PM's to constantly learn many soon-
to-be obsolete ideas
Proprietary standards/software usually required
to stay on top
11. Challenges in the Current Project
Management Environment (cont.)
2/3's of projects 'fail'
Most companies stick with long-standing
practices
Projects are not static and predictable, they are
almost always unique
12. Applying Game Qualities to Project
Management
Failure can foster learning and growth for a
person and a company
Encouraging creativity can potentially lead to
radical new ideas and greater success
Being empathetic and trusting of others will
strengthen the quality of the project and the
bonds between those involved
Collaborating on a massive scale to streamline
PM techniques and ideas would improve the
industry as a whole
13. Using Games In Project
Management
Why integrate actual games?
Games are used in other fields to train users and
give them a platform where failure is allowed
Feedback in the workplace can be lacking
They could make a job feel more meaningful
Games and game thinking have been implemented
in other companies and are being used heavily in
marketing
14. Using Games In Project
Management (cont.)
What kind of games would benefit projects?
Team-based games could strengthen groups
Games could be custom made to address different
aspects of an organization
Some areas that could be improved with games:
− Productivity
− Group participation
− Following guidelines
15. Conclusion
Due to the rate of improving technologies, the
workplace is moving at a faster pace than ever
before
Game thinking is being used to increase
productivity and involvement
As this trend gains momentum, project
management would benefit from adopting a
similar strategy
16. References
Castel, R. Game Based Learning for Project
Management. Athabasca University,
Athabasca, 2011
McGonigal, J. (2011). Reality Is Broken: Why
Games Make Us Better and How They Can
Change the World. New York, The Penguin
Press.
