Table Tops - a dying breed

The Table Top Exercise (TTX) is a great forum for discussing and debating how a particular scenario should be handled. But let's not forget what a TTX does not do for us.

1. Does little to test people:

The focus of a TTX is typically around plans and procedures - i.e., are there any gaps or other ways to improve them. The ability of teams to carry out these plans and procedures in a real-time, realistic / challenging situation is hardly tested in a TTX. So at the end of the exercise, a TTX tells little about how well we will actually perform, let alone how we need to improve.

2. Lacks realism and interactivity with scene:

In a TTX, it's all "discussion based". Discussions are easy; It is far more challenging and of greater learning value to take action, make tough decisions in real time, and communicate to others in concise, accurate terms. RESPONDER affords this benefit, in a no-risk environment.

3. More work to set up: 

Planning and running a TTX is no easy task, especially when there's a large and diverse group participating. Each session is usually a project unto itself. Whereas, if instead the scenarios were pre-loaded and ready to run short notice, with no rework necessary, the job would be a lot easier. Because each scenario in RESPONDER is pre-loaded and readily revised, the up-front effort to run an ongoing series of simulations can be far easier than the "one off" TTX.