Template for Table Top Exercise Seating Arrangement and Moderator Selection

Template for Table Top Exercise Preparation & BrainstormingChoosing an effective seating arrangements & picking a suitable moderator

Feel free to copy, distribute, and expand on this templateJuly 2014

Prepared by Lydia Kostopoulos, PhD@[email protected]

Table Top Panel Design

Mapping out the way the panel will interact is important to think about as you try to maximize on their time and expertise.

Wisely chosen seating arrangements and an effective moderator can be conducive to this.

Keeping this in mind can better help streamline TTX goals and objectives.

Lydia Kostopoulos, PhD @LKCyber

This template provides guidance to help:

• Pick a moderator for the TTX• Brainstorm on various seating arrangements• Think about the role of silent and participative observers


Picking a TTX ModeratorMore often than not moderators are determined later on in the TTX preparationand sometimes they do not have any situational awareness on the scenario, or itsvision.

After identifying the goal of the scenario, it helps to brainstorm ahead of time on who themoderator should be to bring the TTX scenario to life. If the moderator is a part of thescenario building process they will be more effective in streamlining the TTX participants’thoughts and directing the scenario to meet the TTX objectives.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a moderator:* This is not a comprehensive list *

General traits Scenario Specific Traits• People person, friendly• Ability to synthesize ideas and connect

dots on the spot• Objective critical thinker

Some general traits to avoid. People who:• Are afraid to speak in public• Get nervous in leadership roles• Unable to think quick• Are not good at teamwork• Lack emotional intelligence to assess the mood of others

• Expertise on the subject matter• Awareness of issues surrounding the

gaps that the TTX is focusing on• Ability to add value to the scenario


Table Top Panel Design: Seating Arrangement Ideas

The following slides are a compilation of some table top exerciseseating arrangements; however it is not a comprehensive list of allthe arrangements that are possible.

The idea is to find the seating arrangement that works best for thescenario, environment and organizational culture to meet theidentified objective(s) of the TTX and the desired end-state.


“Workshop” Style Seating Arrangement

These types of TTXs tend to be more informal and hands on with few participants.

• The seating arrangement isquite flexible as it all dependson the scenario.

• Square or circle shape tablesare good for a smaller group

• This is a good environment toget thoughts outlined andprepare lessons learned noteson the spot.


“U Shape” Arrangement

Traditional Circle or Square U Shape

This is a classic arrangement the moderator is the center and all the participants can see and interact with each other.

* All the seats shown here can be taken up by panel members.* This can just as easily be done with a V shape

Square Shaped U

With a square shaped U there is more flexibilitywhen it comes to bringing observers to the front row.

In this situation, those sitting in the center straight infront of the moderator would be the participatingmembers and those on the sides would be the

observers.

They can be silent or participative observers, thiswould depend on the TTX structure and objectives.


Square U Shape “A10 Support” Arrangement

This set up is good to mimic a situation in which a high level decision maker (FrontRow) would have to consult organizational SMEs (Back Row) in order to determinethe appropriate course of action in response to an incident.

In this set up the SMEs sitting in the back double up as silent observers and providesupport to the participants in the front row when needed.The participants in the front row are the only ones who interact with other front rowparticipants and the moderator.


* The arrangement titlecomes from the A-10Thunderbolt

“Showcase” Arrangement

This set up is good for public table top exercises where observers and the media are invited to sit in and watch.

This arrangement can facilitate observers questions in an almost ‘Town Hall’type environment. As with any observer participation, it is important to taketime into consideration and judge when it is best for observers toparticipate, if they do.


Multiple Groups

This format works well when the purpose of the scenario is to identify thereaction of different entities or to see how different people come up with differentideas for the same problem. There are multiple ways to do the lay out but hereis one example.

• The moderator is centrallylocated to be easilyaccessed by all of thegroups.

• Groups can be inclusiveand exclusive whenneeded.

• This lay out is conducivefor themed group basedexercises.


Silent Versus Participative ObserversComments on Observers

Observers can bring a lot to a Table Top Exercise as they are the 3rd party lookingin. If observers are present it is important to decide how they will play a role in theTTX and how they can best be incorporated to meet the identified TTX goals.

Observers

Silent Participative

Silent observers can be engaged ifthey are given an effective means todo so and encouraged to share theirthoughts in an appropriate way.

Having an observer packet with asurvey and/or feedback form can helpprovide additional perspective forlessons learned and notes can beincorporated into the final report of theTTX.

The first thing to consider withobservers who participate is howmuch time from the TTX should beallocated to them and why their vocalparticipation is important.

Observer feedback can beincorporated at the beginning, middleor end. Participation before or duringcan disrupt the flow of the exercise, toavoid this, observer participation canbe done in the end through questions.


If you have any questions or would like moreinformation or other templates don’t hesitate to getin touch!

Lydia Kostopoulos, PhD

@LKCyber

www.linkedin.com/in/lydiak

[email protected]

Template for Table Top Exercise Seating Arrangement and Moderator Selection

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