What are the benefits and challenges of using the speed car game to measure team velocity and satisfaction?

2 What the game reveals

The speed car game can help you identify and analyze the factors that influenced your team's velocity and satisfaction. By looking at the cars' positions, you can see how aligned your team members are, how they perceive their own and the team's performance, and how they cope with stress and change. You can also spot any outliers or patterns that need further investigation or action. For example, if most cars are close to the finish line but one is far behind, you can ask what caused the delay and how to prevent it in the future. If most cars are low on the road but one is high, you can ask what made that person happy and how to spread that positivity to others. The game also encourages your team to share their feelings and opinions, which can improve communication and trust.

3 What to consider

The speed car game is not a perfect tool, and it has some limitations and challenges that you need to be aware of. First, the game is subjective and qualitative, which means that it depends on how your team members interpret and express their experiences. You may need to clarify the meaning of the road, the cars, and the obstacles, and avoid making assumptions or judgments based on the drawings. Second, the game is sensitive and personal, which means that it may expose some conflicts or issues that your team members are not comfortable discussing. You need to create a safe and respectful space for the game, and avoid forcing anyone to participate or share more than they want to. Third, the game is situational and contextual, which means that it may not reflect the overall or long-term state of your team. You need to use the game as a starting point for conversation and improvement, and not as a definitive measure of success or failure.