How does the program work?
Each team of 5-7 people is asked to engineer a system for transporting brightly colored liquids from a central starting point to any of 12 locations. The teams will be given everything they need to complete the task, including pens and sketch pads, clear tubing, speed-fit valves, male and female connectors, electric pumps and gaskets. Every team must figure out how to relay the correct colors into the correct depositories under time pressure.
That’s all there is to it?
It’s not as simple as it looks. We’ve built surprise challenges into the WaterWorx program, which will be announced by the facilitator. These challenges increase the tension and provide deep insights into the dynamics within each group. By the end of the program, teams are laughing, shouting and cheering each other on. And long after WaterWorx is over, you’ll notice that your team is thinking differently about the way they solve problems and evaluate data.
What kinds of organizations participate in WaterWorx?
All kinds, including nonprofits, corporations and student groups. Human resources leaders find that WaterWorx is a valuable way to knit together a newly formed team, or to jump-start change in a team experiencing communication challenges.
What will my team get out of the experience?
Every team is different, but most say they learn:
- Critical thinking. WaterWorx challenges participants to thoughtfully create a concept for a fluid delivery system and then apply that concept to a real-world situation.
- Problem solving. Teams must choose one design solution from many possibilities. WaterWorx also requires participants to be responsible to one another in learning how to operate the system.
- Communication. We’ve purposefully made communication under pressure the core of the program, because it’s nearly always the biggest challenge in any organization.
- Change management. Just when a team has gained momentum in mastering the task, ding! We change up the rules to nudge them into new ways of thinking and interacting with each other.
Can WaterWorx be customized to achieve specific goals for my team?
Absolutely. The extra challenges that we build into each new phase can easily change based on the learning experience you want for your team.
How much time should I plan for a program?
WaterWorx generally takes about 3 hours.
How many people can participate?
15 to 100, divided into groups of 5 or 7 per team.
Where does it take place?
WaterWorx can take place in nearly any indoor space.
How much does the program cost?
Corporations:
$125 Per Person (Minimum charge $1,500)
Government & Nonprofit Organizations:
$100 Per Person (Minimum charge $1,500)