Do you want to improve your project management and rally your team around a common goal? The fun and visual Speedboat activity is ideal for identifying the elements that are holding you back and those that are propelling you towards success. By symbolising the project as a boat moving towards a lighthouse, this method engages participants in collective and constructive reflection.
Suitable for groups of 8 to 32 participants and taking just 1h15, it enables you to analyse the current situation, anticipate future challenges and draw up an effective action plan. Ready to weigh anchor? Follow the guide!
Objective of this activity
The main objective of Speedboat is to help a team take a step back from a project by identifying :
- The brakes (symbolised by anchors and rocks) that slow progress.
- The motors (symbolised by the wind and the sun) that facilitate progress.
By combining an analysis of the present, a projection into the future and a concrete action plan, this activity helps to structure collective thinking and optimise project performance.
Benefits
For the facilitator:
- Facilitate an open and constructive discussion on the status of the project.
- Encourage team collaboration and alignment.
- Define concrete actions to remove obstacles and strengthen the levers of success.
For the participants:
- Visualise the challenges and opportunities in a simple and effective way.
- Gain perspective on their role and their contribution to the project.
- Develop a proactive, solution-oriented approach.
How does it work?
Total duration: 1h15
1. Activity presentation (5 min)
The facilitator explains the objective of the activity and how it will be carried out. He/she introduces the metaphor of the boat moving towards a lighthouse, and the role of brakes and motors in the progress of the project. The objective is defined collectively.
2. Focus (15 min)
- The participants are divided into groups of 4.
- They list the current factors that hinder their project (brakes) and those that favour its progress (drivers).
- Each group selects one key constraint and one key driver.
3. Overview 1 (10 min)
Each group shares its two selected elements with all the participants to fuel the collective reflection.
4. What about tomorrow? (15 min)
- The groups look to the future: what new obstacles could arise? What drivers could be strengthened?
- Each group again selects a key barrier and a key driver.
5. Overview 2 (10 min)
Share thoughts on future obstacles and drivers to anticipate future challenges.
6. Action plan (10 min)
- The groups propose concrete actions to remove the obstacles and strengthen the drivers.
- These actions are prioritised according to their impact and feasibility.
7. Overview 3 (10 min)
- Feedback on the action plans drawn up.
- Close the activity with a discussion on the next steps to be taken.
Examples of use
Speedboat is a visual facilitation tool that can be used to identify the obstacles and levers for projects of very different types and sizes. It is particularly useful for quickly identify solutions and mobilise a team around a common objective. Here are two examples.
1. Improving an SME’s sales process
An SME wanted to improve its sales process to better convert prospects into customers. into customers. The sales team is encountering difficulties but is unable to clearly identify the bottlenecks. clearly identify the bottlenecks.
Defining the destination (the lighthouse):
The objective is defined collectively: ‘To achieve a conversion rate of 30% of leads into customers within 6 months’.
Identify the obstacles (the anchors slowing the boat down):
- Long response times to prospects
- Lack of clarity in the sales offer
- Difficulty in identifying the right contacts in target companies
Identifying the drivers (the winds that push the boat forward):
- Good reputation of the company
- Innovative and differentiating products
- Strong commitment from the sales team
Identifying the dangers (the rocks to avoid):
- Too much effort on unqualified prospects
- Risk of insufficient alignment between sales team and management
Definition of concrete actions:
- Standardise responses to prospects to reduce lead times
- Clarify the sales offer with summary sheets
- Better targeting of companies to be canvassed
2. Improving cooperation between departments
In an industrial SME, there is tension between the sales and production teams. which slows down the implementation of new offers. The management wanted to improve collaboration between these departments.
Definition of the destination (the lighthouse): ‘To have a fluid process between sales and production to guarantee optimal customer lead times. lead times.
Identifying the brakes (the anchors that are slowing the boat down):
- Lack of communication between departments
- Production lead times poorly anticipated by sales staff
- Frustration linked to commercial commitments that are difficult to keep.
Identifying the engines (the winds that push the boat forward):
- Willingness of teams to work better together
- Digital tools already in place for tracking orders
- Strong technical expertise of the production department
Identifying dangers (rocks to avoid):
- Risk of misunderstanding if actions are not followed through
- Too many meetings without concrete decisions
Definition of concrete actions:
- Introduce a short weekly meeting between sales and production
- Set up a shared table with orders and forecast lead times
- Train sales staff in industrial constraints to avoid unrealistic unrealistic promises
Glowbl, the ideal platform for this activitynimer cette activité
Glowbl offers an immersive virtual space perfectly suited to the Speedboat activity, thanks to several key features:
- Independent tables: Facilitate work in small groups while maintaining an interactive dynamic.
- Global announcements: These provide real-time reminders of instructions.
- Timer: Framing each stage of the activity for efficient time management.
- Drafts whiteboards: Integrated into the Glowbl tables, they allow you to centralise the thoughts and actions decided by each group.
Take part in our sessions of the Methods Academy to discover activities on Glowbl!
Conclusion
Speedboat is a simple yet powerful method for structuring collective thinking and optimising project management. By clearly identifying the obstacles and drivers, the teams can draw up a concrete action plan in line with their objectives. Glowbl, with its tailored collaborative tools, is the ideal platform for facilitating this activity effectively.
Want to give it a try? Organise your first session on Glowbl today!
