Escape Bureaucracy Card Game

Guiding Question: 

• How does the expansion of the bureaucracy mirror the increasing complexity of the executive branch?

Objectives: 

• Explain how tasks are carried out and performed by the different departments of the executive office. 
• Demonstrate understanding of the different cabinet departments.
• Collaborate with others to problem-solve, prioritize, and accomplish goals. 
• Applying critical thinking skills to organize an accurate and timely process.
• Reflect on the importance of clear communication and transparency in delegating discretionary authority and task completion.

Download the Print-and-Play version.

Game Time: 10-45 minutes
Number of Players: 3-24 players

Game Facilitation Presentation:

 

About the Game: 

• A collaborative organization challenge that highlights the pros and cons of bureaucracy while introducing the cabinets of the Executive Office. Packaged as 5 levels of increasing difficulty, players need to design a process that can move both accurately and speedily under time pressure and deteriorating communication transparency.

Post-play Discussion and Reflection 

The core intent of this game is to highlight the benefits and challenges of a growing bureaucracy. Lean into how players establish and iterate on process to make learning objectives stickier.  

• Self and Social Awareness
  • What moments stood out to you during the game? 
  • What’s a strength you demonstrated during this activity, and what’s one area you’d like to develop?
  • How did your role affect your ability to contribute to the team?
  • What questions could you ask to gain clarity or confidence?

• Human Connection and Relationships
  • How did trust and collaboration evolve between players as roles and tasks became clearer?
  • What helped your team communicate effectively, even under time constraints?
  • What role did feedback or guidance play in improving your team’s performance?

• Problem Solving and Decision Making
  • What strategies did your team use to create and refine processes for organizing the cards?
  • How did you adjust to new challenges or rules as the game progressed?
  • Were there any moments where breaking a process would have been beneficial? Why or why not?
  • How did your team decide when to focus on speed versus accuracy?

• Wider and Future Application
  • When are you most likely going to rely on a structured process?
  • What are the inherent pros and cons of a system?
  • How might you design a system to balance flexibility with efficiency?
  • How does a system communicate and stay accountable to the people it serves?

AP Standards Connections

LO 2.12.A Explain how the bureaucracy carries out the responsibilities of the federal government. 

EK 2.12.A.1 The federal bureaucracy is composed of departments, agencies, commissions, and government corporations that implement policy by: i. Writing and enforcing regulations ii. Issuing fines iii. Testifying before Congress iv. Forming iron triangles (alliances of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that are prominent in specific policy areas) v. Creating issue networks (temporary coalitions that form to promote a common issue or agenda) 

LO 2.13.B Explain how the federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority for rulemaking and implementation. 

LO 2.14.D Explain how the president ensures that executive branch agencies and departments carry out their responsibilities in concert with the goals of the administration 

EK 2.14.D.1 Presidential ideology, authority, and influence affect how executive branch agencies carry out the goals of the administration. 

 

Principles and Virtues 

Separation of Powers, Humility, Moderation