Exercise Situation
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Name: Situation Analysis
Purpose or goal of the exercise
Situation analysis is a tool used to develop an under-standing of tactics, to explore alternative tactics in a given situation, to examine the consequences of given tactics, and to examine the roles of various groups in a direct action situation. Its advantage over roleplaying is that a larger situation is examined.
How it's done
It is valuable in some situations to begin with situation analysis to define the larger picture, then move into roleplaying using the same situation and focusing on a smaller conflict area.
An example of situation analysis will clarify its uses:
Situation analysis: Tear Gas and March.
Situation: A large march of 1,000 people is moving down the street. The demonstration has been previously warned that it will not be allowed to reach its goal, the draft board. Suddenly tear gas is released at the front of the march; the gas drifts through the march line, frightening people more than debilitating them, and panic begins to grip some people.
Task: Analyze what action marshals can take. Evaluate responses after the incident has run its course.
After drawing the situation on a blackboard or large sheet of paper, the leader asks participants to study the diagram. Discussion follows; questions beyond the scope of strategies are often raised.
Trainers notes
The major limitation of situation analysis is that the exercise can too easily remain on a theoretical level and can become far removed from real problems. An antidote is to move quickly into roleplaying.
