IM Session Prep Worksheet

IM Session Prep Worksheet

[!IMPORTANT] Select Your Format First: For the best results, select your Session Format before filling in other details or exporting. The worksheet will automatically suggest the correct estimated times and player counts from the Game Configuration Guide, and it will tailor the investigation/response sections to match your chosen format.

[!TIP] Pro Tip: Keep this worksheet handy during your session. You can fill it out digitally here and use the Export Markdown or Export ODT tools to save your notes for future reference or session logs.

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

Session Basics

Date: Format: Quick Demo Lunch & Learn Full Game Advanced Custom

Malmon: Variant:

Estimated Time: Expected Players:

Scenario Hook (Internalize this)

Opening line (practice this):

Key hook components:

  • Professional context:
  • Time pressure:
  • Vulnerability creation:
  • Current symptoms:

Hook delivery notes (your own words):

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:

Name & Role:

Motivation:

Key phrase:

Name & Role:

Motivation:

Key phrase:

Stakes and Pressure

Business deadline:

Why deadline matters:

What’s at risk if this fails:

Pressure escalation points:

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

Investigation Guidance

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

Clue 1:

Clue 2:

Clue 3:

For Open formats (Full Game, Advanced Challenge):

Available investigation sources:

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:

For Creative formats (Full Game, Advanced Challenge):

Type effectiveness reminders (Malmon type: ):

  • Most effective approaches:
  • Moderately effective:
  • Least effective:

Key Discovery Questions (Prepare 5-7)

Context and scenario-specific questions to guide without telling:

Organizational Secrets

Secret 1:

How it’s revealed:

Secret 2:

How it’s revealed:

Secret 3:

How it’s revealed:

Session Notes (During Gameplay)

Player discoveries:

Creative solutions:

Debrief topics to emphasize:

For next time:

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

Related resources: