Building Capacity through Gamification: The first step of State Audit Office of the Kingdom of Thailand

Strategic Auditor, Our another Audit Laboratory through Gamification

In the public sector auditing, the State Audit Office of the Kingdom of Thailand (SAO) stands as a pillar of accountability, transparency, and efficiency. With an evolving landscape and growing complexities in public governance, the SAO has embraced innovative approaches to enhance the skills and competencies of its auditors. For this year, one such pioneering initiative is the integration of gamification into capacity-building programs, designed to transform learning experiences and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

I explained the rule of Game.

The Role of the State Audit Office (SAO)

The SAO plays a crucial role in ensuring that public resources are utilized effectively and efficiently, safeguarding the interests of the citizens. Its mandate includes auditing government expenditures, evaluating the performance of public sector programs, and promoting good governance practices. In pursuit of these objectives, the SAO continuously seeks ways to improve the proficiency and expertise of its auditors.

We have four teams for this game.

What is Gamification?

Gamification, a term coined by British computer programmer and inventor Nick Pelling in 2002, refers to the application of game-design elements in non-game contexts. Pelling introduced this concept to make electronic devices more fun and engaging to use. In the context of adult learning, gamification incorporates elements such as competition, rewards, and interactive scenarios to enhance engagement, motivation, and knowledge retention. Recognizing these benefits, the SAO has developed a series of gamified training programs tailored to the unique needs of its auditors.

We expected that this game could build several skills of auditors for preparing the concept of Auditor of the future.

Gamification in Auditor Training : Just Start

One flagship initiative is the "Strategic Auditors: Global Alliance Quest," a card game designed to develop systematic thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication among auditors. This game simulates real-world auditing scenarios, challenging participants to design activities that promote international collaboration in support of the Long term State Audit Policy.

Game Structure

- Participants: The game involves 20 officials from the International Affairs Office, divided into four teams (A, B, C, and D), each consisting of five members.
- Facilitator Role: The facilitator explains the rules and oversees the gameplay, ensuring that the learning objectives are met.
- Cards: The game comprises 100 cards, categorized into Competency Cards, Resource Cards, Bonus Cards, and Challenge Cards. Each team draws a specified number of cards from each category to use in the game.
- Rounds: The game is played in three rounds, each with specific tasks:
1. Round 1: Design international collaboration activities for 2025, pitch in English (3 minutes).
2. Round 2: Innovate activities for 2026, pitch in English (2 minutes).
3. Round 3: Develop monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for 2025-2026, pitch in English (1 minute).
- Card Usage: Teams must use all their cards throughout the rounds, connecting each card to their proposed activities during presentations.
- Trading : Teams can trade cards and trade additional cards from the facilitator using Resource Cards.

Pitching by the great pitchers as our challenges.

Enhancing Competencies through Gameplay

The "Strategic Auditors: Global Alliance Quest" game focuses on several key competencies essential for auditors:

- Systematic Thinking: By requiring teams to design and connect activities across multiple years, the game promotes a comprehensive and structured approach to problem-solving.
- Problem Solving: Teams must face challenges presented by the Challenge Cards, fostering creativity and adaptability in finding solutions.
- Effective Communication: The pitching aspect of the game emphasizes the importance of clear and persuasive communication, critical for auditors when presenting their findings and recommendations.

Pitchers who prepared the concise and clear message.

Impact and Future Directions

The integration of gamification into auditor training has yielded promising results, with participants reporting increased engagement, improved understanding of complex concepts, and enhanced collaboration skills. The SAO's commitment to innovative learning approaches underscores its dedication to building a robust and capable audit workforce.

Moving forward, the SAO plans to expand its gamified training programs, incorporating digital platforms and virtual reality simulations to further enrich the learning experience. By staying at the forefront of educational innovation, the SAO ensures that its auditors are well-equipped to meet the challenges of modern public sector auditing and contribute to the nation's progress.

Finally, the adoption of gamification in capacity building represents a significant step towards modernizing public sector audit training.

Through initiatives like the "Strategic Auditors: Global Alliance Quest," the SAO not only enhances the skills and competencies of its auditors but also fosters a dynamic and engaging learning environment. As the SAO continues to innovate, it sets a benchmark for other public sector organizations to follow, demonstrating the transformative potential of gamification in adult learning.

Dr. Sutthi Suntharanurak