Post-Apocalyptic Stand-Up Exercise
🧟♂️ Post-Apocalyptic Stand-Up Exercise Guide (Scrum Master Edition)
🎯 Purpose
This exercise transforms a standard daily stand-up into a post-apocalyptic survival mission. Each team member plays a fictional role with defined blockers and dependencies, encouraging active listening, communication, and team coordination.
🧰 How to Play
- Assign each team member one of the roles below (8 total). If there’s an odd number, the Scrum Master joins as a character.
- Each player gives a stand-up update:
- What they did yesterday
- What they’re doing today
- Their assigned blocker
- Everyone listens. If you hear a blocker you can help with, respond after the player finishes.
- Encourage short updates — 2 minutes max.
- Players must not share the “New Info” listed in their card. That’s for others to uncover by listening.
🔥 Role Table with Blockers & New Info
| Role | Blocker | New Info (Do not include in stand-up) |
|---|---|---|
| 📡 Radio Tech | Battery packs are drained | There's a stash of dead batteries nearby that could be recharged if someone reroutes power. |
| 🔋 Power Engineer | Can’t finish wiring without conduit installed | A bypass route could provide temporary power if someone helps reroute the load. |
| 🧱 Builder | Can’t build until rubble is cleared | Has already mapped construction plans that would speed everyone up if shared. |
| 🧨 Demolitions Expert | Needs backup to safely place charges | Explosives are already placed—just needs someone to spot during activation. |
| 🪖 Defender | Lacks intel on enemy movement | Overheard encrypted radio chatter that might help locate threats. |
| 🧭 Scout | Can’t transmit findings due to radio failure | Has written threat maps in a notebook—but hasn’t shown them to anyone. |
| 🛠 Mechanic | Missing rare capacitor to fix power junction | Saw the exact part in a wrecked drone but didn’t salvage it. |
| 🧑⚕️ Doctor | Out of sutures and stitching tools | Has an old survival guide with instructions for improvised stitching. |
🧠 Scrum Master Tips
- Enforce timeboxing
- Encourage in-character communication
- Debrief after:
- Who listened well?
- What did people miss?
- How did the “new info” change your approach?
Have fun, stay sharp, and survive the stand-up.