Introducing the DLA Piper Project Simulator

One of the most critical challenges faced by our global society is developing high-quality, sustainable infrastructure. To help businesses meet this challenge, DLA Piper has collaborated with leading strategy consultancy BTS to create The DLA Piper Project Simulator (DPS), an interactive training tool. 

The DPS - as featured in The Lawyer - replicates real incidences of risk and project distress using a sophisticated algorithm derived from gaming technology. The simulator enables participants to develop a better understanding of critical business and stakeholder interdependencies, while supporting customer focus and market orientation in a risk-free learning environment.

“Having been involved in the delivery of projects for twenty years, I found it both enjoyable and realistic. It was great to see the teams working together to agree on a solution to the question posed. The trainers involved were first class.” - Amber Infrastructure Group

Fictional scenarios include constructing a bridge and running the operational life of a hospital, using skills that are transferable across a range of infrastructure projects. Working in teams, participants attempt to solve challenges and keep the project on track, with each decision marked against five key performance indicators. 

Skilled DLA Piper facilitators guide participants through the experience and debrief on the key learning objectives, offering insight and perspective gained from our extensive experience of global infrastructure projects.

Designed to be equally relevant across all jurisdictions, the DPS scenarios can be experienced anywhere in the world, throughout the more than 40 countries in which DLA Piper has offices.

The reason for using experiential technology-based simulation is clear: the more realistic the simulation, the more effective the learning and the more quickly the participant can transfer their acquired skills into the real world. As Thomas Niven of BTS explains: “Participants retain between 50% and 75% of the content and insights through group discussions and practice. Compare this with the 5% to 10% retention of information from lectures or reading.”

The development and implementation of the DPS has been driven by partners Alison Fagan, Maria Pereira and Paul Giles, legal director Robin Jack and associate Owen Knight.

“When things go wrong, clients need to know how to react,” Pereira told The Lawyer. “Most of the time we advise on these projects either at the beginning or at the very end. We wanted to accompany the client along the entire lifecycle. There was a clear gap.”

Clients who have already benefited from the DPS include: InfraRed Capital Partners, Equitix, Amber Infrastructure Group, Ankura, BAM Nuttall and Semperian, but it is open to all parties with interests in all stages of infrastructure and construction projects (not just lawyers).

A member of the Amber Infrastructure Group team said: “Having been involved in the delivery of projects for twenty years, I found it both enjoyable and realistic. It was great to see the teams working together to agree on a solution to the question posed. The trainers involved were first class.”

DLA Piper Global Co-CEO Simon Levine added: “The DLA Piper Project Simulator is yet another example of us working, through our radical change agenda, to partner with our clients and help them to succeed in our changing, everywhere-connected, platform-driven global economy.”

For more information about the DPS or to book your team on to a half or full day simulation, please contact dps@dlapiper.com