Span the Gap Build
Every team builds a section. The car only crosses if they all connect.
About
Big projects are never delivered by one team alone, and Span the Gap Build proves it in the most hands-on way. Each team builds one section of a long company bridge to exact customer specifications.
Materials are limited, deadlines are tight and communication between teams is deliberately restricted, so every conversation counts.
Teams design, decorate and brand their sections, competing for awards for the most creative engineering, the best branding and the smartest use of resources. Since each section must connect perfectly with its neighbors, teams need to agree on key measurements and keep each other updated throughout.
In the finale, all sections are installed as one long bridge, and a remote-controlled vehicle tries to cross the entire span. Everyone in the room watches to see if it makes it.
Learning outcomes
In Span the Gap Build, every team is both supplier and customer. The goal is shared, so success depends on managing relationships between teams and understanding how communication affects everyone else.
Tight time and limited materials require solid project management. Teams must decide early how to use resources and how to keep their neighbors informed, and teams that share updates early avoid unpleasant surprises.
The activity is full of strong business metaphors. It shows how cross-functional cooperation supports big goals and how one weak connection can stop a whole project.
When the car makes it across, the sense of shared success is huge, and the lessons about specifications, trust and communication are easy to link to daily work. It is especially relevant for organizations with many connected departments.
Program flow
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Specs
Teams receive customer specifications, limited materials and rules on how they may communicate.
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Plan
Teams design their section and confirm key measurements with the teams on each side.
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Build and brand
Teams construct, decorate and brand their section against the clock.
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Connect
All sections are installed together to form one long company bridge.
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Drive across
A remote-controlled vehicle crosses the full bridge, followed by the awards.
What is included
Included
- Dedicated facilitation team
- Bridge building materials and tools
- Customer specification briefs
- Remote-controlled vehicle for the finale
- Awards for design, branding and resource use
Not included
- Venue fees
- Food and beverages
- AV equipment
- Local transportation
- Custom printing
Frequently asked questions
What is the group size range?
10 to 500 guests, working in smaller teams.
How much time does it take?
About 2 hours from start to finish.
Do we need engineering skills?
No. Clear specifications and materials are provided, and success comes from planning and communication.
Can it run indoors or outdoors?
Yes, either. We can stage it indoors, outdoors or across both.
How do we know the bridge works?
A remote-controlled vehicle tries to drive the full length of the finished bridge in the finale.
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Request a quote for Span the Gap Build
Tell us your group size, date and goals. We will reply with a tailored proposal.