Tips and Tricks for Team Managers
This manual is intended to be used by Team Managers in addition to the Destination Imagination Program Materials. The information offered here does not supersede the rules set out by Destination Imagination. Rather, it is intended as a guide to help Team Managers better understand the rules, and learn how to support their teams.
Written: 2003-2004
Minor Revisions: April 2012, November 2012, July 2014
The information is organized to follow the outline presented in the Roadmap. We recommend that you read the Roadmap section followed by the related section in this manual.
This manual is a compilation of suggestions and comments from many different sources. Every effort has been made to recognize the individuals who contributed to its content, but in many cases, we don’t know where the material actually came from.
Shipping Props to Global Finals
With the move of Global Finals to Kansas City, Missouri, prop shipment has become a bigger issue for many teams.
Why We Do This
I cannot imagine a greater way to stay close to my kids, have fun, and encourage other kids. There was never anything like this when I was a kid, and if there was I wouldn't have been able to be involved. I have had jobs all my life, and extra-curricular activities in school were very few, because I had to work. So, when my kids started getting involved, I swore I would let them do what they wanted and be encouraging them all the way. After some disappointments with coaches, we started to coach a lot of different teams and sports. Then we found CPS--we were hooked.
Starting and Managing a Destination Imagination Team
How to Start DI in your school, community group or company…
Read more: Starting and Managing a Destination Imagination Team
Inciting Creativity
So, exactly how do we teach teams to be creative?
Tools for Managing a Team
How to develop your team from forming to performing!
10 Commandments for Teams
One Team Manager’s 10 Commandments for Destination Imagination teams.
Interference – Yes or No?
REMEMBER – It’s Their Solution!
But, exactly where is the boundary? This guide will help you find it!
Index of Creative Problem Solving Tools
Our compendium of collected Creative Problem Solving tools and techniques
Team-building, Warm-up and Instant Challenge Exercises
A great compendium of team building and focusing tools and exercises.
Read more: Team-building, Warm-up and Instant Challenge Exercises
Scavenger Hunt / Field Trip Activity
A field trip activity which team managers might find useful to help teams learn about different materials, their properties and potential uses.
Solving the Central Challenge
General guidance on how to turn the Central Challenge from a giant task into a done deal!
Team Choice Elements
Team Choice Elements (sometimes called Side Trips) are often 40% of the team's total score. They are a great way for the team to show off their talents, and do something which isn't prescribed by the challenge. Here are some thoughts on how teams can build great team choice elements to complement the rest of their solution.
Improvisation
Some hints on how to teach your team the improv skills they need to succeed in the Improv challenge and in Instant Challenges.
Instant Challenge
De-mystifying Instant Challenge - and providing some hints on how teams can be successful there.
Roles in Instant Challenge
It is helpful, especially for younger or inexperienced teams, for each member to have a designated role when solving Instant Challenges...
Picking up and Understanding Your Scores
Your team has completed their performance. Now what?
Forms & ID Sign
There is always paperwork. Here are some hints and guidelines…
A Typical Tournament Day
So, what exactly happens on the day of the tournament?
There is detail in the Travel Guide and in Rules of the Road - but here is a quick primer.