The empty-chair game for explaining the agile mindset

This is a translated version of this post originally written in Spanish.

In february 2020 I had the chance to attend an Open Space in a beautiful beach in Mexico. In one session we played something very helpful to illustrate the agile mindset to those new to this world. In this post I will explain the game.

You will need…

• Chairs with no wheels. One per participant and one more for the facilitator.
• A big sheet of paper.
• Markers (at least two colors).
• Chronometer.
• A big enough place.

Objective

The facilitator will try to have sit in the empty chair. The team must prevent her from doing so. The objective is to last the more time possible without the facilitator having sit.

Rules

• At the beginning of each attempt, the team have three minutes to plan a strategy.
• Whenever a players stands up, she will have to have sit in another chair.
• The facilitator should never be touched.
• There must be space enough between the chairs so that everyone can walk among them.
• Once the chairs are placed, they cannot change position.
• The suggested number of attempts is five. They can be more if the facilitator thinks so.

Instructions

1. Ask the players to take a chair an form a circle with them. The chairs should be oriented as the player wants.

2. Place a chair in the middle of the circle.

3. Explain the objective and the rules.

4. Ask the team the time they estimate they can prevent the facilitator from having sit (Estimation 1). Put that time in the graphic with a color. There is an example of the graphic down below.

5. To start the attempt, ask the participants to have sit
according to their strategy. Start chronometring time. The facilitator will try to have sit in the empty chair, while the team should prevent by changing places. By doing so, another chair will be empty fot the facilitator to sit.

6. Once the facilitator have had sit, she stops chronometring the time and put it in the graphic with a different color (Real 1).

7. Give the team three more minutes to think about their strategy.

8. Repeat steps 4–7 to get data from the following attempts. (Estimation2, Real 2, …, Estimation n, Real n)

9. Once the have compleated the number of attemts, it will be time to analyse the result resulting graphic.

Whay can you observe? What went different during the attempt they lasted the longest? Have the lasted the same time if they have had more time for planning?

By playing this game, we can explain concepts such as iteration, retrospectives, planning, collaboration, risk, complex theory, etc. It is also very fun.

What are your thoughts on the game? How can you introduce new team members to the agile world? Let me know your opinion.