This is a common list of things we do throughout the tabletop exercise engagement.
During this process we will:
- Assist in the refinement of exercise objectives in coordination with your organizations exercise coordinator
- Tailor the scenario to address stated exercise objectives
- Develop an overview of the scenario story line (a start, middle and end)
- Develop the Master Scenario Events List (MSEL)
- Conduct periodic update meetings/conference calls with your exercise coordinator and trusted agent(s)
- Ensure the exercise delivery location, rooms and other resources (food) are book
- Develop exercise materials including a pre-read video
- Help conduct pre-exercise training sessions (as necessary)
- Test any technology that might be used during the tabletop
- Identify moderator(s) for breakout sessions during exercise
- Ensure that evaluators of the exercise have complete package of information (e.g., exercise objectives, evaluation criteria developed for exercise, etc.) to do an effective job
- Check audio/visuals and the location / room the night before the exercise
- Conduct the exercise and “Hot Wash,” the debriefing held immediately following the exercise
- In coordination with exercise coordinator develop After-Action Report (AAR) based on input from the “Hot Wash,” observations from the “Control Team,” and their own observations
- Summarize participant evaluations for including in the final AAR
- Draft remediation plan using a matrix to facilitate prioritizing actions
- Conduct an After Action Conference teleconference with key leaders & exercise coordinator to ensure understanding of observations
- Deliver the final AAR within an agreed upon time as coordinated with exercise coordinator
- Create a summary AAR video that can be sent to leadership and used for awareness
Great point from Susan. That would be covered under #13 on this list.
Hello – I believe that it is important to ask the participants what their key takeaways were (positive and constructive).
Additionally, there may be opportunities for improvement or additional preparations for next session if the participants are asked what challenges they feel need to be addressed more closely which may have been highlighted during the simulation just completed, or that triggered the participant to consider other areas that should be considered for a simulation next.