Before Mars

Before Mars: A Team Development Activity That Reveals How Your Team Works Under Pressure

A high-stakes mission simulation that uncovers team dynamics, decision making patterns, and communication barriers—designed for lasting transformation.
Team Dynamics
Team Dynamics Team Dynamics

What is Before Mars

Before Mars is a strategic team development simulation where your team must work together to save humanity in a high-stakes galactic mission. This isn’t just a game it’s a structured simulation built to reveal how your team functions under pressure. Each team receives limited resources, must assign roles, and build ships and send people to mars. Decisions carry weight, and how you work together matters more than than how many people you send.

Through this immersive experience, team dynamics naturally surface, revealing:

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Hidden communication barriers

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Decision-making patterns

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Leadership dynamics

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Collaboration strengths and blind spots

Your Team Will Uncover

How they collaborate under pressure

Especially relevant for teams navigating change or deadlines.

What decision-making patterns emerge

Highlighting leadership, strategy, and operational effectiveness.

How clearly they communicate under time constraints

A common pain point for teams across industries.

Whether trust is distributed or concentrated in a few voices

Helps teams reflect on inclusion, psychological safety, and shared leadership.

Where assumptions or misunderstandings block progress

Creates opportunity for specific, practical "aha" moments in the debrief.

Before Mars was a real business development challenge and I was very pleased with the choice, every team was engaged. Excellent job!

Henry Kage
Principal Consultant Transformation & Strategy - Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG

How It Works

Format: Facilitated tabletop activity with digital elements
Duration: 2.5-3 hours (including debrief)
Location: Your office, conference venue, or one of our partner locations
Group Size: 15-160 participants
Facilitators: Experienced, certified Team Dynamics guides
Environmental Impact: Minimal - we are committed to using reusable materials in all events

Measurable Outcomes

After Before Mars, teams typically experience:

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Improved collaboration and trust 87% of teams report better cross-functional working within 30 days

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Sharper decision-making and prioritisation Teams reduce meeting time by an average of 22% while making more confident decisions

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Enhanced reflection and adaptation skills 92% of participants report greater awareness of team dynamics and potential improvement areas

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Clearer communication under pressure Teams develop shared language around challenges and create practical strategies for improvement

Is Before Mars Right For Your Team?

Before Mars is particularly valuable for teams who are:

  • Navigating silos or complex org structures
  • Seeking sharper cross-functional collaboration
  • Dealing with high levels of uncertainty or change
  • Under pressure to deliver while keeping sight of the bigger picture
  • Looking to strengthen leadership across the organisation

Want to know more?

That's exactly why we start with a discovery call.

Have questions?

Explore our FAQs to learn how we can help build stronger teams!

Go to FAQs
Team Dynamics Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours
Team Dynamics Group size: 15 - 160 pax
Team Dynamics Rated 4.9/5 by teams across Europe
Team Dynamics Trusted by global organisations
Team Dynamics Delivered as sustainably as possible - always