Part 2 of DecisionLab Steps to the Analysis of Hydra Exercises using AIQA - I am beyond excited!

Having built the new methodology I was able to test it during the MAGIC exercise held at the College of Policing Whilst I was relieved that the technology worked (several months of soldering in my workshop creating the boxes, became the enabling capture technology), I was laser focussed in coming away with the data from the event. I was successful in generating the audio files from each table. I was also able to capture the Strategic Command Meeting, briefing COBRA and the Press Briefing, all part of the fantastic exercise delivered by the college. All participants signed a consent form for me to be able to use the data for the research.

I the workflow is complex, but in-outline.....

1. Capture the audio - DecisionLab successfully achieves this
2. Process the audio to generate transcripts - This is achieved by AI working on our own systems not connected to the web and therefore secure
3. Analyse the audio in segments to define both behaviours - overtalking - agreement - uncertainty - clarification - turn taking - leadership
4. Generate a report that discusses the roles, key themes, group dynamics, emotional tone, decision making, Gaps and uncertainties - all from the transcript (no video analysis takes place, just the spoken words, anonymised
5. Compare the findings of the report with the decisions recorded in the decision logs - identify synergies, differences and decision log style both in rationale and decisions taking.
6. Analyse the roleplay sessions including Government briefing, Strategic Command Group meetings, and press conferences, again using the behavioural analysis
7. Create a set of learning outcomes from the event including an action plan for development, post exercise at the workplace for all agencies including impact and metrics for the measurement of change.

To give you some flavour of my direction of travel, following the workflow described above, enabled me to generate the following outcomes, all using my AIQA system, I did not write one word of this, but the tools generated the following:

1. Multi-Agency Coordination Challenges [A, C, G]: The workshop highlighted significant difficulties in integrating the efforts of healthcare services, fire services, ambulance services, and national agencies. The formation of clinical and logistics coordination cells was deemed essential for effective response management. For example, during the exercise, one participant stated, "We need to establish a clear command structure, ideally involving SCG and TCG from the outset" .
2. Stress During High-Pressure Decision-Making [B, E, H]: The exercise revealed that participants struggled with decision-making under stress, particularly during high-stakes situations. One participant noted, "The decontamination process is overwhelming with our current resources" . The challenge of maintaining composure while making rapid decisions was evident throughout the exercise.
3. Discrepancies Between Planned Protocols and Real-Time Decisions [A, C, H]: There was a noticeable gap between the established protocols and the actual decisions made during the exercise. This was evidenced when a participant stated, "If we don’t coordinate properly, we’ll have too many overlapping efforts and not enough clarity on who’s doing what" .
4. Resource Management and Public Communication [A, D, I]: Participants reported difficulties managing resources effectively, especially in a rapidly evolving situation. One participant pointed out, "Our capacity is being stretched to its limit" . Additionally, the challenge of delivering clear public messages was evident, with another stating, "We need to ensure that international coordination is smooth, especially if embassies get involved" .
5. Emotional and Psychological Impact [B, E, J]: The high-pressure environment impacted participants' well-being, with one noting, "There’s a significant psychological impact for everybody responding to this type of incident" . Providing adequate support for responders was identified as a critical need.
6. Multi-agency coordination challenges during real-world incident simulations.
7. Emotional and psychological impacts on participants during high-pressure decision-making.
8. Discrepancies between planned protocols and real-time decision-making processes.
9. Variances between formal decision logs and real-time discussions.
10. Issues related to resource management and public communication.

Learning Points

1. Multi-Agency Coordination: The workshop highlighted the need for enhanced inter-agency communication and collaboration during real-world incidents. Developing clearer guidelines for integrating multiple agencies when faced with dynamic situations is essential. Regular joint training sessions would foster familiarity with complex scenarios and build confidence in handling multi-agency challenges.
2. Decision-Making Under Pressure: The analysis revealed that participants experienced increased stress during high-stakes situations, impacting their ability to make clear, structured decisions. Including stress management techniques in future training could enhance decision quality. Training to improve resilience and adaptive thinking during critical incidents would be beneficial.
3. Documentation and Real-Time Reporting: A consistent issue was the disparity between verbal discussions and formal decision logs. Standardising the documentation process and introducing live documentation tools may bridge this gap. Training on efficient note-taking and real-time decision logging would ensure accuracy and consistency.
4. Resource Management and Public Messaging: Challenges arose when managing limited resources and conveying clear, unified public messages. Developing a more robust protocol for public communication during dynamic incidents is necessary. Creating adaptable communication templates and training for spokespersons would help maintain message consistency.
5. Emotional and Psychological Impact: High-pressure decision-making can significantly impact participants’ mental well-being. Including debriefing sessions focusing on psychological support and resilience would help participants process stress and maintain composure during critical incidents.

Action Plan

In many ways, I am at base-camp on this journey, I have acclimatised to the high altitude, and my head is full of the possible. If you got this far in the reading, then I am obliged, if you like it or even if you don't, please comment and repost to your networks.