Are you in search of some team building activities for IT employees?
Working with technology especially computers can be incredibly exciting. However, it also requires coordination and collaboration to achieve success. Having a cohesive team is essential in any field. The same goes with IT companies or departments that often face unique challenges.
In this article, let’s see 10 activities you can use to build a stronger team of Information Technology professionals.
10 Team Building Activities for IT Employees
Here are some amazing activities for employees in your Information Technology company.
#1. Troubleshooting
This activity improves collaboration and problem-solving skills by having teams come up with solutions to each other’s problems.
Time: You decide
Materials: Paper and pen
Participants: 3-6 members per group
Instructions
- Ask each group member to think about a problem they have faced recently. Next, provide them with a pen and paper.
- Each person should write down their problem on paper and then share it with their team.
- Give groups some time to come up with solutions for each other’s problems. Allow them to brainstorm together and discuss potential solutions.
Debrief
Discuss the solutions that each group came up with and how they worked together to solve the issues. Talk about potential methods of problem solving that could be utilized in the future. Ask if any other ideas were proposed but not utilized.
#2. Hackathons
Hackathons are coding competitions in which teams of IT professionals collaborate to create a project within a predetermined timeframe. It helps build unity among coworkers and encourages creativity, teamwork, and innovation.
Time: You decide
Materials: Any programming language, hardware, and software needed to complete the project
Participants: Groups of up to 6 people
Instructions
- Instruct each team to brainstorm ideas for a project that may be achievable within the time limit.
- Each team member should take on a specific role that utilizes their strengths and expertise.
- As the project progresses, teams should frequently check in with each other for feedback and updates.
- After the hackathon is completed, teams can review their projects and discuss what went well and where improvements could be made.
Debrief
Highlight the successes and failures of the hackathon experience. Discuss how teams could have collaborated more effectively and what tools or strategies they may have been able to utilize. Encourage reflection on the overall process and individual team contributions.
#3. Tech Trivia Contests
This activity encourages teams to challenge each other with trivia questions about the latest technology trends.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Trivia questions related to the latest technology trends
Participants: Need at least two groups of any size
Instructions
- Divide the participants into two or more groups.
- Each group should take turns in answering the trivia questions and competing against each other.
- Award points based on correct answers and set a time limit for how long each group can answer the questions.
Debrief
Identify how each group collaborates and solves problems together. Discuss what strategies or tools each team utilized and how they impacted the outcome of the exercise.
#4. Project Showcases
In this activity, employees can present their projects to the rest of the group and discuss the challenges faced while working on them.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Internet connection, paper, and pen depending on the situation
Participants: 3-8 members per group
Instructions
- Give each group member an opportunity to present their current project or task. For example, if someone is working on a website design, they can present their mockup.
- Encourage the group members to discuss their process and explain any challenges they faced while working on it.
- Allow time for questions and feedback from other participants.
Debrief
Encourage participants to share their insights and takeaways from these project showcases. Talk about how working together as a team can help foster a sense of camaraderie. Celebrate the successes achieved by each team and discuss ideas for further growth.
#5. Impromptu Pitch
This is one of the great team meeting energizers that requires employees to practice public speaking. It helps them sharpen their presentation skills while having fun.
Time: Around 10 minutes
Materials: A timer
Participants: 3-6 people in a group
Instructions
- Assign a random topic to each member of the team. Examples could include “the benefits of searching for jobs online” or “the importance of learning a new language”.
- Set the timer for 90 seconds and have each person deliver their pitch on their assigned topic in front of the group.
- After the presentations, each group should come to a consensus on who had the best pitch.
Debrief
Discuss any common issues that arose during the presentations such as lack of confidence, difficulty in connecting to the audience, or insufficient knowledge. Talk about how this activity can help employees develop their public speaking and presentation skills.
#6. Best 20 Seconds
This exercise is a great way to lift your team’s spirits and encourage them to focus on the positive things that happened during the week. It also allows IT employees to recognize each other’s accomplishments and successes.
Time: 5-10 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Small groups of 2-5 people
Instructions
- Ask each group member to share the best 20 seconds of their week. This could be anything from a job well done or a personal accomplishment.
- Group members should take turns sharing their best moments with one another. Encourage everyone to stay positive and recount something positive that happened during the week.
- After each person has shared, show appreciation for their stories by applauding or greeting them.
Debrief
Discuss any common threads that emerged from the stories such as shared values or similar experiences. Highlight the importance of showing appreciation for each other’s accomplishments. Talk about how this activity encourages employees to have positive outlooks on their work and lives.
#7. Story with a Twist
This is one of the interesting team building activities for IT employees. Here teams should tell a story in different ways based on prompts or changes given by the facilitator.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: None (but use paper and pen if needed)
Participants: At least 2 people in a group
Instructions
- Provide each group with the same story prompt such as creating a tale about a group of friends going camping.
- Have them create an outline or structure and begin telling their story.
- Periodically give the story a twist or ask them to alter the narrative in some way. An example could be introducing a zombie apocalypse into the camping experience.
- Encourage all the group members to contribute and adjust their stories accordingly.
- Finally, each group can tell their completed story.
Debrief
Discuss with the group how this activity helps to foster adaptability and resilience in the face of change. Talk about how it also requires participants to collaborate better, think creatively, and be open-minded when approaching a challenge.
#8. Destination Unknown
This is a type of scavenger hunt in which participants will be finding places rather than objects.
Time: You decide
Participants: 3-8 members per group
Materials: A cell phone and vehicle
Instructions
- First, divide the participants into groups. Each group will need access to a cell phone and vehicle for the scavenger hunt.
- Provide each group with their first clue – this will direct them to a specific location.
- Once the group reaches there, they should take a photo together and send it to you via an instant messenger like Whatsapp.
- The next clue will then be sent to that particular group, leading them on to the next location.
- This process should be repeated until they reach the final destination – a surprise party or meal at a specific restaurant, with you footing the bill.
Debrief
Ask participants to reflect on their experiences and how they worked together to find each location. Ultimately, discuss how working collaboratively can lead to greater success than working independently.
#9. The 24 Game
The 24 Game helps to develop problem-solving skills and analytical thinking in an engaging way.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Paper and pen (optional)
Participants: 2 or more individuals in a group
Instructions
- Provide a set of four numbers to each team. For example, 1, 4, 5, and 8.
- Ask them to use basic math operations and any combination of the given numbers to calculate 24.
- The team that achieves it first, or with the least number of steps wins.
Sample Solution: (1 + 5) * (8 – 4) = 6 * 4 = 24
Debrief
During the debrief, figure out how the team members collaborated to solve the equations. Look for creative solutions that are not conventional or may have been overlooked by other teams. Also, analyze which equation was solved faster and why.
#10. Brain Mapping
Brain Mapping is a wonderful activity that encourages collaboration between IT employees while creating effective solutions.
Time: You decide
Materials: Computer (optional), paper, and pen
Participants: 2-10 people per group
Instructions
- Have each group member come up with ideas on how to solve a problem or reach a goal in the company. For example, what methods can be used to increase customer satisfaction?
- Each person should record their solutions on paper, or use computers for more detailed plans.
- Once all the possible solutions have been listed, allow the group to map out all of these ideas and create strategies to make them happen.
- After mapping is complete, hold a discussion about their plans and collaboratively come up with the best solution.
Debrief
Discuss the potential solutions and their effectiveness. Talk about how well each member worked together to create an effective solution. Encourage group members to think outside of the box when it comes to problem solving.
Want Some Unique Team Building Activities?
If you want some unique activities (both in person and virtual) for your employees, you can get my new e-book:
Or Want Some Unique Leadership Development Activities?
If you want some unique activities to equip your employees with leadership skills, qualities, and mindset, you can get my new e-book:
Final Words
Team building shouldn’t be a chore. It should be an integral part of a company’s culture, promoting a workplace where everyone feels valued and connected. Hopefully, incorporating the above activities can help you create a unified, engaged, and productive IT team.