A practical lesson plan for exploring how teams think, share information, and make better decisions together. Designed for Crew Resource Management (CRM) and human factors training.
This lesson focuses on what happens when teams work together – and why groups sometimes make poorer decisions than individuals. Through hands-on exercises and guided reflection, participants experience the difference between team synergy and groupthink, and explore the conditions that allow information to flow freely within a team.
+ Main topic: Team synergy
+ Related topics: Decision-making; leadership; effective communication and coordination between all crew members; authority gradients.
+ Training length: 60 – 70 minutes
+ Included: Student handout, group exercise, lesson plan with instructor notes, PowerPoint slides
+ Access: Instant download after payment
+ File formats: Pdf and PowerPoint
Secure payment
Instant access
Intuitive design
CORE ELEMENTS
The team synergy lesson plan centres on the Delphi group exercise, which provides a powerful entry point for discussing information flow, psychological safety, authority gradients, and the fine line between synergy and groupthink. The lesson is supported by real-world examples. Facilitated discussion helps participants reflect on how teams can encourage challenge, curiosity, and shared responsibility in everyday operations.
INCLUDED
A fully structured session with clear trainer guidance, supported by trainer notes, slide references, and student handouts. The complete package includes the lesson plan with trainer notes, PowerPoint slides, Delphi group exercise with debriefing questions, group task on synergy versus groupthink, and suggestions for relevant external video clips. Designed to be easy to use and adaptable, allowing you to deliver the session with confidence.
LENGTH
Designed to be flexible and can be used as a stand-alone session or as part of a longer CRM or Human Factors programme. It can be adjusted to allow more time for discussion and reflection, with trainer notes indicating where the session can be shortened or expanded depending on time and group dynamics. When delivered as a stand-alone session, the lesson
takes approximately 60 – 70 minutes.
The Team Synergy Lesson Plan is designed as a practical facilitation tool that makes collective intelligence visible. The lesson shows how synergy depends on information flow, psychological safety, and the ability to challenge assumptions.
The session works particularly well within CRM and Human Factors training, but is equally relevant for flight instructors, healthcare educators, and trainers working in complex or safety-critical environments where teamwork and decision-making are central to performance.
Developed by trainers for trainers, the lesson provides a structured way to experience and discuss team synergy in practice – helping participants recognise both the risks of groupthink and the conditions that allow teams to perform at their best.
Objective
Our unique spin on this classic method challenges participants’ decision-making processes and highlights the impact of team synergy.
Length
30 – 50 minutes (including debrief)
Main topics
Cooperation and teamwork, decision-making
We have gathered the most frequently asked questions from our customers to help you in the best way possible
The team synergy lesson plan is designed for trainers working with teamwork, decision-making, and group dynamics, including CRM and Human Factors trainers, flight instructors, healthcare educators, and safety or leadership trainers.
The purpose of the lesson is to demonstrate how team synergy differs from groupthink, and to explore how information flow, authority gradients, and psychological safety influence collective decision-making.
No. The learning points are universal. The lesson can be delivered effectively by trainers from non-aviation backgrounds.
No specialist equipment is required beyond standard classroom facilities, including a projector or TV and a flip chart or whiteboard. For the Delphi exercise, you will need a transparent container with small items such as Lego bricks, pasta, or similar.
