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Role of the Exercise Facilitator/Controller

Advanced planning sets the stage for the smooth conduct of an exercise. Sample exercise
planning checklists are located in Appendix E. It may be useful for the facilitator/controller to
refer to this before the exercise is initiated.The facilitator/controller must assume responsibility
for the conduct of the exercise. He/she must ensure that the exercise stays on track so that the
agreed-upon objectives are tested.The facilitator/controller’s job is to

1. Present the players with the exercise- tive(s) of the exercise have been side-
initiating narrative. tracked.

2.Announce the first event of the scenario. 3. Manage the flow and pace of the exercise
Conducting the Exercise
3. Stimulate player responses, without inter- by introducing the remaining events in
vening in a way that assumes control of the sequence through the use of control
play, unless it appears likely that the objec- messages (injects).

1. Conducting a Discussion-based Exercise

The participants/players and the facilitator(s) are introduced.The tabletop exercise process and
flow are briefly described. Ground rules usually address the exercise objectives, the importance
of participating, and issues participants should consider during play, such as time, roles, and
assumptions. Special instructions may be provided, such as how participants will respond and
if they will break up into discussion groups.

Episodes in the exercise scenario are described as moves. Generally, there are three moves to a
tabletop.At each move there is a facilitated discussion.The facilitator moves the participants
through the scenario and participants respond with the decisions and actions they would take
given the scenario. Each move takes the participants through the scenario chronologically.The
tabletop conduct is concluded with an overall evaluation and findings, presented as the
debriefing and an action planning session for improvements.

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