Playfully Agile: How Gamification Brings Agile Project Management to Life

Playing Minecraft during training? What the customer says:

By Thomas Weidinger

In a blog post on this topic, next level Trainers Alma Skrgic-Pandur and Michael Goldschmidt demonstrate how gamification makes agile methods more tangible. Project management requires structure, communication, and teamwork – all of which can be experienced in an entertaining and educational way in the virtual world of Minecraft.

Matthias Lang, who experienced the Minecraft part firsthand as a client and participant, shares his insights, "aha" moments, and lessons learned in this interview. He also answers the question: Will Minecraft remain part of the training?

Hello Mr. Lang, please introduce yourself briefly.

With pleasure. I am a business IT specialist who has worked at SUVA for around 13 years, primarily in corporate development, project management, and training. During that time, I developed our project portfolio management in an agile environment, which is how I came into contact with next level.

How did next level come to accompany your training courses?

We regularly offer our project managers the opportunity to obtain IPMA certification. Last year, we wanted to innovate and become more agile, and next level impressed us with their fresh approach, which included gamification elements such as Minecraft. I'm always open to new things.

What was your first impression of Minecraft in project management training?

Fascinating! It was also surprisingly challenging. If you're not a gamer, like me, you'll need some time to learn the controls. But that's exactly where the value lies: stepping out of your comfort zone, collaborating, and experiencing agile principles firsthand.

How did you experience the team dynamics in the game?

It was authentic and instructive. Some rushed ahead while others first had to find their bearings. Roles quickly emerged, such as taking the lead, providing support, and achieving sprint goals together – just like in real project work. You can simulate agile workflows in the Minecraft world. After the sprints, we held retrospectives, just as in real teamwork, to discuss where we stood, what had been done so far, and the next steps.

What will you personally take away from this experience?

The playful setting made agility tangible. Terms such as "sprint," "daily scrum," and "retrospective" were not just buzzwords, but concrete experiences. This emotional anchoring is worth its weight in gold – far beyond the training day.

Were there any special "aha" moments?

Absolutely. I was particularly impressed by the spontaneous development of swarm intelligence. Effective teams formed without any explicit instructions – an impressive example of how self-organization really works. Time flew by, and by the end, we had built a multistory house with a terrace and a garden. The great success of the day was that we were able to see the result and experience what we had learned.

Can you apply what you learned to your day-to-day work?

Definitely. These experiences are an advantage wherever teamwork is required. This playful approach also lowers the inhibition threshold for using Agile.

What was the overall feedback?

Very positive. Of course, there were a few minor technical issues, but the benefits clearly outweighed them. Participants found the change of pace very enriching compared to traditional training formats.

Will Minecraft remain an integral part of your training courses in the future?

Yes, its success has convinced us. We will continue to integrate this exciting, practical gamification day within the classic certification preparation.

What would you say to skeptics who scoff at gamification?

I would say: Just try it out! After all, corporate development is about testing new approaches. Our experience shows that, when used correctly, gamification unleashes enormous potential.

Apart from obtaining the IMPA certification, what other goals were pursued with this training?

Another important aspect of the course was strengthening our internal network within SUVA. Over the eight days, the participants naturally got to know each other better. They collaborated on case studies, worked on a project, and played Minecraft together. These activities gave them a personal connection to other departments and helped them get to know the company better.

What is your conclusion?

Innovative training formats, such as Minecraft, are invaluable tools for those who want to experience agility. Next Level shows that joyful learning and professionalism are not mutually exclusive; rather, they inspire each other.

Thank you very much for the interview!

About the Trainers and Author

Mag. Alma Škrgić-Pandur is a consultant at the Swiss branch of next level. She is also a lecturer in project management and certified project manager IPMA® Level D and Scrum Master™.

Michael Goldschmidt began his career at next level as a software developer and database administrator. After completing various project and process management training programs, he discovered his talent for training. Drawing from his experience and passion for online games, he developed the concept of "gamification" for training at next nevel. He is a certified Process Practitioner (PcP) according to TÜV Austria.

Alma und Michael eveloped a tailored gamification training course for hybrid project management with SUVA, Switzerland's largest accident insurance company.

Mag. Thomas Weidinger is a freelance copywriter and former editor-in-chief who creates content for text, images, and sound.
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