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The militaries of several countries use computer games and simulations to equally teach and train soldiers and officers in tasks and thought processes connected to their missions and specializations.

This method is moving (little by little) into the corporate world as well, and one of the places where it's making the largest inroads is in the dominion of decision-making training.

From the perspective of training new managers in your own organization, computer games and board games can be used to huge effect, though, there are some pitfalls. First, make certain that you're conscious of what objective you're aiming for - education or training? Educational games focus on one nested set of decisions and tend to remain fairly theoretical.

A high-quality didactic game - focused on project management training for instance - should allow the players to explore the decision space reflected by that kind of game.

A training simulation is intended to measure how well a student is absorbing and re-enacting doctrines and training techniques.

Though a first person shooting game, like Doom or Counter Strike is no substitute for rifle training for a soldier, it's an outstanding instrument to assess if soldiers have learned about movement, communications, and coordinated actions in an aggressive environment, as the same things that will keep you alive in the field will keep you alive in the game - moving from cover to concealment, mobilized over watch, and comparable concepts.

Schooling isn't just regurgitation of doctrine and training, it's acquainting of the decision creation processes.

For leaders (and officers in the military) there needs to be an emphasis on teaching as well as guidance.

A excellent officer should be familiar with the decision making process of the layer of management that informs to him, and for two levels above him.

The same applies to a executive in most organizations.

Furthermore, an executive (or manager) should to be able to assess challenges to his line of actions, be conscious of assets accessible to him, and with initiative, be able to organize those assets without compromising the tactics of those above him.

When taking lessons from computer games, focus on the decision making loops, and focus on concepts.

When trying to turn computer games into structured schooling for your workers, keep in mind that games are intended to be fun.

Games that aren't fun tend to get negative criticism from the players, and the lessons imparted by them don't stick.

Focus on how the core concepts of the game will assist your new executives work in your company, but let them take pleasure in what they're doing - people learn more, and take in the lessons better, when they're having pleasure.

So, the first time you're trapped playing a computer game in the workplace, maybe you can justify it as professional improvement.

Read full article on < a href="http://www.wandelendecoach.info/project-management-training/pmt005.htm">Learning project management skills while playing computer games