This is the name of a seminar jointly organised by the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College and the Technical University Hamburg.

Within this, teams use the Agile Scrum methodology over three months to manage diverse tasks aimed around accumulating knowledge and strategies about the board game “Scythe”, in order to beat the other teams in a final competition.

I have volunteered to participate in that seminar, together with a handful of colleagues representing the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support in competition with teams from the Technical University Hamburg, the University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, the Armed Forces Office and the Bundeswehr Office for Defence Planning.

Wargaming, the professional term for measures such as this is employed by military entities worldwide and serves as a crucial tool for learning and strategizing in complex geopolitical landscapes. This involves the strategic analysis and role-playing of hypothetical scenarios, allowing military professionals to test and refine their decision-making skills in a risk-free environment. By mimicking real-world situations, professional wargaming enables armed forces to anticipate potential challenges, assess various courses of action, and enhance their ability to adapt swiftly in dynamic and unpredictable circumstances. This proactive approach to training not only hones tactical acumen but also fosters collaborative problem-solving, ensuring that military leaders are well-prepared for the intricate challenges of modern warfare.

Aside from the benefits regarding strategic and tactical thinking, this specific seminar additionally teaches about Scrum, a popular agile project management methodology, that emphasises iterative and incremental development and promotes collaboration, adaptability, and regular reassessment. Having only limited experience using Agile project management I am looking forward to expand my project management toolkit with some more hands-on experience with this methodology.