# Considerations and constraints ## Purpose The purpose of defining considerations and constraints before jumping into exercise design is to protect **flow, focus, and feasibility**. {% hint style="warning" %} It is fundamental that you establish your training objectives at the outset. These will be your guiding light in deciding what to include and not include in your exercise. {% endhint %} The relationship between considerations and constraints can be visualised as an interdependent system that keeps exercise design focused, achievable, and aligned with training objectives:
Once you’ve defined your objectives and recognised your constraints, you can begin shaping the scenario, exercise structure, and environment in greater detail. The following sections explore each of these components in turn. ## Considerations Your training objectives will affect how you consider different elements of the exercise design process.
Ultimately, there are **three core considerations that need to work in harmony**:
{% tabs %} {% tab title="Scenario" %} Players must believe the scenario to be relevant. Without relevance, there will be no engagement. {% endtab %} {% tab title="Exercise" %} The exercise is a statement of what players must achieve over a fixed period of time. {% endtab %} {% tab title="Environment" %} The training environment must support the realistic delivery of the scenario and the exercise. {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} ## Constraints The following are constraints to be aware of. These are the variables that can impact the planning and implementing of exercises. | Constraint | Description | | -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Time** | Total design, testing, and run time available | | **Resources** | Available staff for design, testing, and facilitation | | **Realism** | Level of fidelity achievable (visual, procedural, emotional) | | **Audience** | Training audience, player capability | | **Assessment** | How success will be measured | ### Core exercise components to consider
Adjudication:Dynamic or rule-based outcomes
Red Teaming:Simulate adversarial behaviour
Assessment:Performance measurement
Spoofing & Impersonation:Realistic identity deception
Information Asymmetry:Different players get different information
Communication Channels:Build realistic media & social platforms
Facilitation & Control:Direct flow (keep pacing aligned to objectives)
## :zap:Look out for... {% hint style="info" %} You are creating a participatory experience. You'll find the best results are achieved if you design a little... play test... design a little more... play test {% endhint %} * **Over-designing:** too many events, personas, or decisions for the time available * **Under-testing:** skipping dry runs or timing checks * **Passive play:** players reading too much, doing too little * **Misaligned difficulty:** challenge level too high or too low for player ability