The concept behind the activity
You can almost feel the tension and the enthusiasm as the participants delicately set out the dominos! With only a limited amount of time available they have to create a domino cascade. Just as in any project, different teams work on sections of the cascade pattern. There are countless challenges to be met and specific requirements to be fulfilled in the process. Will the group manage to place the dominos in such a way that at least 75% of them fall over when the cascade is started?
Facilitating the activity
After permission to start is given, the group begins to work feverishly. Coordinated by facilitators, they concentrate on developing solutions for the various construction challenges. Again and again, you hear: “Oh no, not again” when someone accidentally knocks over a domino and, in a split second, demolishes a part of the painstakingly constructed domino line. Only the built-in ‘Emergency Stop’ – two of the dominos removed from the chain – interrupts the premature chain reaction. Finally everything is ready, the interfaces and crossovers between the various sections are checked. Everything is ready for the release of the chain reaction. At least three quarters of the dominos must fall. To achieve this, the teams have to develop a feeling for the correct distance between the dominos and, in various test phases, to get to grips with the operational reliability of the twists and turns, crossover points, height differences and other challenges. The ‘facilitators’ ensure a smooth flow of communication between the sub-teams encourage the teams to support and motivate one another.
