Hunting for Ducks: How Well Do You Evade Black Swans?

I’ve built what might be the world’s first risk management training tool disguised as a browser game. Well, sort of. It’s called Black Swan Duck Hunt, and whilst it looks like a simple shooting game, it’s actually a profound metaphor for organisational development.

The Art of Duck Hunting

In the game, you’re hunting ducks. These ducks represent what we call “development” in risk management terms. Whether you’re launching a new product, expanding into a new market, or implementing a new IT system, you’re essentially duck hunting. You’re pursuing opportunities that promise positive outcomes.

The Black Swan Problem

But scattered amongst the harmless ducks are black swans. Stumble into one of these, and it’s game over. If you’ve read Nassim Taleb’s work, you’ll know that black swans are those highly improbable events with massive consequences.

The Risk Analyst as Hunting Guide

This is where we risk analysts come in. We’re not here to stop you from hunting; that would be rather counterproductive and frankly quite boring. Our job is to help you bag more ducks whilst avoiding the black swans.

We’re your hunting guides in the wilderness of organisational development. We point out the difference between a profitable duck and a catastrophic black swan before you pull the trigger. We help you understand the terrain, adjust your aim, and occasionally shout “DON’T SHOOT THAT ONE!” at precisely the right moment.

Try It Yourself

Give the game a go and see how well you can balance opportunity capture with catastrophic risk avoidance. Pro tip: don’t start shooting before you have analysed. You never know where the black swan might be hiding! Much like real organisational development, actually.

And if you find yourself becoming oddly competitive about your high score, just remember, you’re not just playing a game, you’re honing your risk management intuition 😉

Disclaimer: No actual ducks or black swans were harmed in the making of this game. Any resemblance to real risk management scenarios is purely intentional but also entirely coincidental. Your mileage may vary.