15 in stock
In MATCHES©, participants must describe 30 magnetic cards to each other by voice alone and work out how they connect to complete the grid.
It’s a hands-on way to sharpen decision-making, threat & error management, team communication, and to give participants a memorable lesson in why seeking information early often beats pressing ahead on assumptions.
+ Main topic: Decision-making and team communication
+ Related topics:Threat & error management; shared information acquisition & processing; workload management; leadership, cooperation & delegation; assertiveness
+ Training length: 40–60 minutes (including debrief)
+ Included: 30 magnetic cards, trainer’s manual, 1 A2-sized magnetic game board, 1 instructor reference sheet showing the completed MATCHES grid
+ Number of participants: 5–25 participants (a modified version allows up to 30)
+ Shipping: We ship your products within 5 business days.
*Images that depict exercise process are AI-generated
Ready to run
High-impact exercise
Built-in decision-making dilemma
MATCHES© lets participants experience first-hand how decision-making, information-sharing, and communication break down – or hold up – under time pressure. Each of the 30 magnetic cards shows four icons, and every icon has exactly one matching icon on another card. Participants must describe and work out how the cards connect until the full MATCHES grid is assembled on the board.
For detailed instructions and tips, refer to the comprehensive trainer’s manual included with your purchase.
Format
30 magnetic cards, an A2-sized magnetic game board, and a printed trainer’s manual, plus an instructor reference sheet showing the completed grid.
Group size
5–25 participants (up to 30 using the modified large-group version described in the manual).
Materials
30 magnetic cards, 1 A2-sized magnetic game board, 1 trainer’s manual, 1 instructor reference sheet (completed MATCHES grid).
Distribute the 30 magnetic cards amongst the participants, making sure no one receives two cards that directly connect.
Participants must identify how the icons match up and correctly connect all 30 cards into the complete MATCHES grid on the game board.
Participants have 30 minutes to solve the puzzle, then 90 seconds to place all cards on the board – a squeeze that tests communication and decision-making under real time pressure.
A detailed facilitator guide with structured, reflective questions helps participants unpack how they made decisions, whether they sought out information or ran with assumptions, how well they communicated, and who led.
Distribute the 30 magnetic cards amongst the participants, making sure no one receives two cards that directly connect.
Participants must identify how the icons match up and correctly connect all 30 cards into the complete MATCHES grid on the game board.
Participants have 30 minutes to solve the puzzle, then 90 seconds to place all cards on the board – a squeeze that tests communication and decision-making under real time pressure.
A detailed facilitator guide with structured, reflective questions helps participants unpack how they made decisions, whether they sought out information or ran with assumptions, how well they communicated, and who led.
We have gathered the most frequently asked questions from our customers to help you in the best way possible
Participants build awareness and practical skills in decision-making, threat & error management, effective communication and coordination, shared information acquisition, workload management, leadership and delegation, and assertiveness.
MATCHES© works well as a hands-on session on decision-making and communication under pressure – particularly for exploring how teams decide whether to trade time for information, and how information-sharing holds up as workload increases.
If you’re building or refreshing your own CRM training, our CRM Trainer Core Course covers how to structure and debrief exercises like this one.
Yes. The exercise is fully developed and ready to use. The trainer’s manual provides step-by-step facilitation guidance, clear rules, timing variations, and structured debrief questions. You also receive 30 magnetic cards, an A2-sized magnetic game board, and an instructor reference sheet showing the completed grid.
Yes. The trainer’s manual contains structured debrief questions on threat & error management planning, communication, teamwork and group dynamics, and leadership, along with observation guidance to help you turn the exercise into meaningful learning.
The standard exercise works best with 5–25 participants. A modified version for groups of up to 30 is included in the manual.
No. MATCHES© is a generic human factors exercise suitable for Crew Resource Management and Human Factors training across aviation, maritime, healthcare, and energy — anywhere decision-making and team communication are safety-critical.
Yes. The manual includes examples for adjusting the solving time, as well as guidance on how many cards to retain for different group sizes.
