In this group simulation, your team will represent the government of a fictional country that you create. You will be presented with three or five events, each requiring your team to make strategic decisions that impact the course of the simulation.
Your goal is to lead your fictional country through a series of crisis events by making thoughtful, data-informed decisions as a team. The simulation is designed to develop your skills in leadership, collaboration, and strategic thinking under pressure.
Login to the Simulation
- Each learner needs to individually login to the simulation. URL: https://forio.com/app/harvard/patient-zero
- Prior to playing the simulation, please run a system check here - https://forio.com/hbp-support/#check/simulations/patientzero
- Note that the simulation is optimized for Google Chrome. If you are unable to access it in Chrome, please use Microsoft Edge.
How to Play the Simulation
- You will be playing as a team, but each player must log into the simulation using their own browser window.
- The simulation begins with an individual introduction. During this section:
- You will complete a few activities on your own.
- You will see pages of Do’s and Don’ts for the simulation—please review them and press Enter to proceed.
- When prompted to upload a profile picture, please use the default option and press Enter to continue.
- Next, you will see the availability status of your teammates.
- To play as a group, ensure all your team members are online at the same time.
- If some teammates are unavailable, you may still begin. However, when they log in later, they will first be shown the introduction and then they will automatically be brought to the team’s current position in the simulation.
- You will then be shown an introductory video.
- Please do not skip this video, as it contains important information. Everyone should use headphones to listen individually, to avoid disturbing others.
- You can enable captions (CC) or use the transcript feature if you prefer to read along.
- After the video, your team will need to collaborate to create your country.
- This includes determining your country's population, key attributes, characteristics, and any additional information such as culture and heritage. Keep an eye on the timer in the top-left corner of the screen to manage your time effectively
- If you need help at any point in the simulation, click the “i” icon at the bottom right of the screen for more details.
- Once you reach the designated screen, click “BEGIN SIMULATION” to start.
- You can access the introductory information, breaking news, user settings and the log out feature anytime during the simulation from the three horizontal lines at the top right corner next to Harvard Business Education logo. You can turn off background audio/animation/video/auto play from the user settings.
Making Team Decisions
- Once the simulation begins, you will face decision-making events as a team.
- Only the Editor can submit team decisions.
- The Editor is auto-assigned, and their name will appear above the Editor button.
- At any time, a team member can take over by clicking “Become Editor” in the lower right-hand corner.
- For each event, an audio or video clip will be played.
- Please listen using headphones to avoid disturbing others.
- Transcript and captions (CC) are provided for accessibility.
- After any video or audio clip, do not proceed to the next screen until all team members confirm they are ready to move forward.
Tips for Success
- Be On Time and Ready: Your team can only start when everyone is online. Plan ahead and log in together to avoid delays.
- Don’t Skip the Introduction: Watch the full introductory video—it lays the foundation for your country and strategy. Turn on captions if needed and use headphones.
- Collaborate Effectively: Strong teamwork is key. Make space for all voices, align quickly, and be ready to adapt when new information surfaces.
- Manage the Clock: Keep an eye on the timer (top left). Make decisions thoughtfully, but stay within the time limit to avoid rushing later steps.
- Know the Editor Role: Only the Editor can submit team decisions. The role can be switched—coordinate who leads and when to avoid confusion.
- Use All the Tools: Need help? Click the “i” icon for guidance. Access settings, transcripts, or prior news anytime from the menu (top right corner).
- Reflect Before Moving On: After audio/video clips, pause to ensure everyone is ready before advancing. This ensures better alignment and decision quality.
- Focus on Strategy, Not Perfection: There’s no perfect answer. The goal is to practice strategic thinking and collaboration under pressure—lean into t