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

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

From the perspective of teaching fresh managers in your own organization, computer games and board games can be used to huge effect, however, there are some downfalls. First, make sure that you're aware of what objective you're aiming for - education or training? Educational games center on one nested set of decisions and lean to remain quite abstract.

A high-quality didactic game - focused on project management training for instance - should permit 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 knowledge and training techniques.

While a first person shooting game, like Doom or Counter Strike is no replacement for rifle training for a soldier, it's an outstanding tool to observe if soldiers have learned about movement, communications, and coordinated actions in a hostile environment, as the same things that will keep you breathing in the field will keep you breathing in the game - moving from cover to concealment, mobilized over watch, and similar concepts.

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

For exedcutives (and officers in the military) there needs to be stress on teaching as well as coaching.

A good manager should be familiar with the decision creation 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.

In addition, an executive (or manager) should to be able to assess challenges to his course of actions, be aware of assets available to him, and with initiative, be able to use those assets without compromising the tactics of those higher than him.

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

While trying to turn computer games into planned schooling for your workers, remember that games are supposed to be enjoyable.

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

Focus on how the center concepts of the game will assist your fresh executives work in your business, but let them take pleasure in what they're doing - people find out more, and absorb the lessons better, when they're having enjoyment.

So, the next time you're caught playing a computer game in the office, maybe you can defend it as certified development.

Full article < a href="http://www.wandelendecoach.info/project-management-training/pmt005.htm">Learning project management skills made easy by playing computer games