IM Session Prep Worksheet

IM Session Prep Worksheet

Quick reference notes for your session - keep this handy during gameplay

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Session Basics

Date: _________________ Format: ☐ Quick Demo ☐ Lunch & Learn ☐ Full Game ☐ Advanced

Malmon: ___________________________ Variant: ___________________________

Estimated Time: _________ Expected Players: _____ Team Size: _____

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Scenario Hook (Internalize this)

Opening line (practice this):

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Key hook components:

• Professional context: _________________________________________________
• Time pressure: ________________________________________________________
• Vulnerability creation: _______________________________________________
• Current symptoms: _____________________________________________________

Hook delivery notes (your own words):

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NPC Quick Reference

Primary NPC (Usually IT Director/CIO)

Name & Role: ___________________________________________________________

Core motivation: ________________________________________________________

Key phrase/voice: _______________________________________________________

What they want: _________________________________________________________

Secondary NPCs

Name & Role: ___________________________________________________________

Motivation: _____________________________________________________________

Key phrase: _____________________________________________________________

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Name & Role: ___________________________________________________________

Motivation: _____________________________________________________________

Key phrase: _____________________________________________________________

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Name & Role: ___________________________________________________________

Motivation: _____________________________________________________________

Key phrase: _____________________________________________________________

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Stakes and Pressure

Business deadline: ______________________________________________________

Why deadline matters: ___________________________________________________

What’s at risk if this fails:

1. ---

2. ---

3. ---

Pressure escalation points:

• Stage 1 (Current): ____________________________________________________
• Stage 2 (If not contained): ___________________________________________
• Stage 3 (Full failure): _______________________________________________

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Investigation Guidance

For Guided formats (Quick Demo, Lunch & Learn):

Clue 1 (Minute _____): __________________________________________________

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Clue 2 (Minute _____): __________________________________________________

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Clue 3 (Minute _____): __________________________________________________

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For Open formats (Full Game, Advanced Challenge):

Available investigation sources:

• _____________________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________________

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Response Options

For Pre-defined formats (Quick Demo, Lunch & Learn):

Option A: ______________________________________________________________

• Type effectiveness: ___________________________________________________
• Key trade-off: ________________________________________________________

Option B: ______________________________________________________________

• Type effectiveness: ___________________________________________________
• Key trade-off: ________________________________________________________

Option C: ______________________________________________________________

• Type effectiveness: ___________________________________________________
• Key trade-off: ________________________________________________________

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For Creative formats (Full Game, Advanced Challenge):

Type effectiveness reminders (Malmon type: ______________):

• Most effective approaches: ____________________________________________
• Moderately effective: _________________________________________________
• Least effective: ______________________________________________________

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Key Discovery Questions (Prepare 5-7)

Context and scenario-specific questions to guide without telling:

1. ---

2. ---

3. ---

4. ---

5. ---

6. ---

7. ---

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Organizational Secrets

Secret 1: ______________________________________________________________

How it’s revealed: ______________________________________________________

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Secret 2: ______________________________________________________________

How it’s revealed: ______________________________________________________

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Secret 3: ______________________________________________________________

How it’s revealed: ______________________________________________________

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Session Notes (During Gameplay)

Player discoveries:

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Creative solutions:

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Debrief topics to emphasize:

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For next time:

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Pre-Session Checklist

Materials ready:

• This worksheet completed
• Scenario card or planning document
• Malmon detail page for type reference
• Role cards or reference sheets
• Success mechanic tools (dice/cards if using)
• Network Security Status tracker
• Timer

Mental preparation:

• Hook practiced and internalized
• NPC voices rehearsed
• Key questions ready
• Confident in facilitation approach

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Related resources:

• 5-Minute Scenario Prep - Fast prep workflow
• New IM 30-Minute Prep - Comprehensive first-time preparation
• IM Quick Start Guide - Essential facilitation reference