The Gamification of Learning Part 2: Measurement and Behaviors

This week on Gamification Talk Radio, we continue by exploring two more of the seven continents on our journey, and about keeping score and how the game is played.

Level 3:  Jungle Standoff – How are you keeping score?
How will you know the gamification program you put in place is driving the behaviors you need in order to meet your business objectives? What are the KPIs or benchmarks you will use to measure progress? Define the business metrics or quantifiable output indicators on the basis of achieving your business objective. Decide what numbers you must hit in order for your gamification program to be deemed successful.

Dangers in the Jungle: 

• Don’t record and measure everything
• Don’t produce numerous and complicated reports and dashboards
• Don’t count behaviors that don’t matter - focus on those that drive business objectives

Level 4:  Saharan Crossing – How is the game played?
Determine the desired actions you want your players to do. What do you want to improve and identify the particular behaviors that have the potential to drive the greatest benefit to your program? Can you build on any of their existing habits?

Dangers in the Desert:

• Don’t develop a list of behaviors to drive and then fail to track and measure
• Don't gamify a behavior that doesn't actually provide value to your players
• Beware of Unintended Consequences

Keep an eye out for unintended consequences - once you are able to measure the behaviors you want to gamify, you must watch out for the unintended consequences of each of these behaviors. Cheating is one of the most common unintended consequences of gamification so remember to build in stop points.

If you missed Parts 1 you can catch up here:

The Gamification of Learning Part 1: Objectives and Players

About Your Host: A gamification speaker and designer, Monica Cornetti is rated as the #1 Gamification Guru in the world by UK-based Leaderboarded. She hosts a weekly Gamification Talk Radio program, and is author of the book Totally Awesome Training Activity Guide: Put Gamification to Work for You. Monica’s niche is gamification techniques that can be used within the framework of corporate talent development.

Connect with Monica Twitter @monicacornetti.
Website: www.monicacornetti.com and www.sententiagames.com