diverge · Team Building, Strategy, Problem Solving · 60–90 min · 4-20 people · medium energy
Meddlers Game
The Meddlers Game is a hands-on activity that encourages teams to explore and visualize different organizational structures, promoting discussion around roles, responsibilities, and value networks. It helps teams collaboratively design and adapt their structure to better manage change and achieve agility.
When to use Meddlers Game
Use this method when you need to facilitate a conversation about organizational design, team structure, or how to improve collaboration and value delivery within a team or across multiple teams.
What it solves
Siloed teams, unclear roles, inefficient communication, resistance to change, lack of understanding of value streams.
How to run Meddlers Game, step by step
- Introduce the Meddlers Game and its purpose. Explain the meaning of the different game pieces (faces, hats, function tiles). (5 min)
- Present a challenge scenario (e.g., a business unit with specific customers, a growing startup, a geographically distributed team). (5 min)
- Divide participants into smaller teams (4-6 people). Provide each team with a set of Meddlers game pieces. (5 min)
- Teams collaboratively design an organizational structure using the game pieces, addressing the challenge scenario. Encourage discussion about roles, responsibilities, and team interactions. (45 min)
- Each team presents their proposed structure to the larger group, explaining their reasoning and the benefits and risks of their design. (15-20 min)
Materials needed
- Meddlers Game pieces (printed or digital)
- Challenge scenarios
- Whiteboard or Miro board
- Markers or digital pens
Facilitator tips
- Encourage creativity and experimentation with different structures.
- Remind participants to focus on value delivery and collaboration when designing their structures.
- Facilitate discussion about the trade-offs between different organizational models (e.g., functional vs. cross-functional teams).
Common pitfalls
- Teams getting bogged down in details and losing sight of the overall goal.
- Participants being resistant to change or unwilling to challenge existing structures.
- Lack of clear understanding of the meaning of the game pieces.
- How to avoid it: Set a clear time limit for each step, encourage participants to focus on the big picture, and provide clear explanations of the game pieces and their meaning.
Variations
- Use different challenge scenarios to explore different organizational contexts.
- Introduce additional constraints or rules to make the game more challenging.
- Use the game to evaluate existing organizational structures and identify areas for improvement.
Running it online or hybrid
Use a Miro or Mural board to represent the game pieces and allow participants to move them virtually. Facilitate discussion via video conferencing.
What it produces
A visual representation of a proposed organizational structure, including teams, roles, and connections representing collaboration and value flow.
Origin
Adapted from Management 3.0 — source
Build a session around Meddlers Game
METODIC places Meddlers Game inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.