“Think. Prototype. Fail. Learn. Iterate. Together. Success comes from implementing collaboratively, not just planning in isolation.”

– STEVE BARNS

The Marshmallow Challenge to Improve Collaboration Dynamics

The Marshmallow Challenge is an engaging, hands-on team-building activity where participants work in small groups to build the tallest freestanding structure possible using simple materials: spaghetti, tape, string, and a marshmallow. The marshmallow must be placed on top, intact, testing both creativity and collaboration under time pressure.

This deceptively simple exercise reveals deep insights into team collaboration, problem-solving approaches, and iterative thinking. It provides a safe and playful way to observe team dynamics in action while reinforcing essential lessons about experimentation, communication, and teamwork.

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Benefits & measurable improvements

• Encourage Iterative Problem-Solving: Teams learn to prototype, test, and adjust quickly rather than overplanning—mirroring agile work practices.
• Strengthen Collaboration and Communication: Teams practice clear communication and effective delegation under time constraints.
• Foster Creativity and Innovation: Limited resources prompt creative thinking and push participants to find novel solutions.
• Reinforce Trust and Team Cohesion: Working together toward a tangible, shared goal builds rapport and psychological safety.
• Measurable Outcomes:
  • Observable improvement in teamwork and communication during the challenge and debrief.
  • Increased willingness to experiment and learn from failure, as measured in post-session feedback.
  • Heightened awareness of how team behaviors influence outcomes, leading to better collaboration in workplace projects.

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Science and Foundations

The Marshmallow Challenge is supported by research in design thinking, prototyping, and iterative learning:

• Created by Tom Wujec, a fellow at Autodesk and a leader in design thinking education.
• Demonstrates principles studied in innovation and team performance research, including rapid prototyping and reducing fear of failure to enhance creativity.
• Highlights findings similar to those in studies on psychological safety (Amy Edmondson), emphasizing open collaboration and learning from mistakes.
• Often used in design thinking workshops and MBA programs (e.g., Stanford d.school) to teach agile and collaborative problem-solving.

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Who it’s for

• Teams of 5 to 50 members looking to strengthen collaboration and creative problem-solving skills.
• Cross-functional groups seeking to break down silos and improve interdepartmental teamwork.
• Newly formed teams or teams experiencing change who need to build rapport and alignment quickly.

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Format

• Preparation: Half-day preparation to customize debrief questions and align the activity with your team’s context.
• Workshop Duration: 2 hours, including:
  • Introduction (15 min): Overview of the challenge, rules, and purpose.
  • Challenge – round 1 (18 min): Teams build their marshmallow towers using provided materials.
  • Debrief and Reflection – round 1 (30 min): Discussion of team dynamics, problem-solving approaches, and lessons learned.
  • Challenge – round 2 (18 min): Teams build their marshmallow towers using provided materials.
  • Debrief and Reflection – round 2 (30 min): Discussion of team dynamics, problem-solving approaches, and lessons learned.
• Delivery: In person (ideally).
• Language: English or French.

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