Working in teams, the participants’ task is to complete a plan for the hotel’s successful reopening in 13 days time. Participants have a huge number of potential tasks and activities to complete, but neither the time, nor the money, to complete them all in the time available.

The exercise tests participants’ abilities to agree priorities, allocate funds and time, and plan work effectively. Time management is tested on two levels:

1. The participants’ ability to prioritise and plan the activities required to prepare the Hungry Chick Inn for its guests’ arrival in just under two weeks time.
2. The participants’ ability to use their own time effectively to ensure they complete this task within the time allowed.

This is a challenging exercise, and with careful facilitation should prove suitable for staff at all levels. The potential for learning is perhaps greatest amongst teams that struggle – they will be able, with your help, to identify where they went wrong, and what they should have done differently.

Working together participants are tasked with:

1. Identifying what needs to be done in order for the hotel to reopen successfully in 13 days.
2. Prioritising and schedule a range of tasks and activities.
3. Considering the needs of the guests who will be arriving in 13 days.
4. Allocate a budget of £23,000 to refurbishment and other activities necessary for the successful reopening of the hotel.

Participants are given 90 minutes to complete the exercise – you’ll also need to allow time for briefing, and the all-important review of learning afterwards.