Paper plane factory

What is it?

The Paper Plane Factory is an interactive, fast-paced team workshop designed to help teams strengthen their collaboration, improve decision-making, and align their strategy and execution. In this playful but impactful experience, participants step into the role of a production team. Their challenge? To design, build, and successfully test paper planes under time pressure, while managing limited resources and balancing quality with speed.

This isn’t just about folding paper—it’s about how your team works together when the stakes are high and time is short. Teams will need to commit to clear goals, deliver on their promises, and continuously adapt their approach as they learn what works (and what doesn’t). It’s a dynamic way to explore how strategy, communication, and teamwork play out in real time. This is fun!

The Game Objective

Each team is tasked with delivering as many successful paper planes as possible, without wasting resources or over-promising. They are running their own “company,” where success is measured not only by the number of planes they deliver but also by how well they balance risk, cost, and reward. Teams will need to make careful decisions about how much they can realistically commit to, and how to work together efficiently to meet their goals.

How it works

• Teams of 2-4 people are formed. They don’t need to be equal in size.
• Each team starts the game with a budget of €20.
• Planes are only considered finished and accepted if they fly at least 5 meters.
• Profit and loss are based on how well the team performs in relation to their commitments:
  • +€4 for every plane they commit to and successfully deliver
  • +€3 for every additional plane delivered beyond their original commitment
  • -€2 for every plane they promised but didn’t deliver
  • -€1 for each plane that fails the flight test
  • -€1 for every sheet of paper they use
• Safety first! Planes must have a blunt nose because, they’ll be flying all over the place.

The Process

The Paper Plane Factory is run in three sprints, each consisting of four phases:

1. Planning (3 minutes)
   Each team discusses and decides how many planes they can commit to delivering. They receive exactly that number of sheets of paper to work with.
2. Production (3 minutes)
   Teams build and prepare their planes within the time limit.
3. Test & Review
   The planes are flight-tested to see if they meet the 5-meter distance rule. Tests are blind; planes are marked anonymously so feedback focuses on performance rather than blame.
4. Retrospective (3 minutes)
   Teams reflect on their results, review what worked and what didn’t, and adjust their approach for the next sprint.

What your team will experience

During The Paper Plane Factory, your team will experience what it’s like to plan under uncertainty, make clear commitments, and deliver results within tight deadlines. Teams must weigh how much they can promise and balance the risks of over-committing versus playing it safe. They’ll face challenges that require real-time problem-solving, collaborative decision-making, and a willingness to adapt their strategy based on results. Each round provides a chance to reflect on their approach and refine their teamwork. It’s a fun yet insightful way to explore the balance between quality, efficiency, and collaboration, skills that are critical in any professional environment.

What they’ll walk away with

By the end of the workshop, teams will have a deeper understanding of how clarity, focus, and alignment can dramatically improve their outcomes. Participants will leave with practical insights into how to collaborate more effectively, communicate more clearly, and share accountability as a team. They will have experienced the value of realistic commitments, thoughtful risk management, and the power of continuous improvement. Beyond the lessons, they’ll walk away feeling more connected as a team, with renewed energy and momentum to bring these insights back into their everyday work.

Perfect for teams who want to:

This workshop is ideal for leadership teams, project teams, and fast-growing organisations that want to strengthen their collaboration and strategic thinking. It’s a great fit for teams navigating change, working in fast-paced environments, or looking to improve the way they align their strategy with execution. The Paper Plane Factory is not only a fun and energising experience; it’s also a powerful learning opportunity that helps teams foster trust, enhance decision-making, and build stronger alignment that lasts far beyond the offsite.