Digital Wargaming

About the course

The Digital Wargaming course provides a comprehensive introduction to the foundations, design, and evaluation of Wargaming as a method for strategic decision-making. Core concepts, including the definition and roles of wargaming, its connection to Red Teaming, and various formats like matrix, computer-based, and tabletop games.

Participants will explore strategic gaming, facilitation, and core mechanics such as turn sequences and player roles. It includes techniques for game analysis and After Action Reviews (AAR), with a focus on emerging AI tools for enhanced analysis and experimental design. Groups will be formed to design, test, and evaluate prototype wargames, measuring performance against established KPIs and identifying areas for refinement.

Each stage is supported by presentations, collaborative workshops and supervised group work. This Wargaming course ensures participants gain both theoretical understanding and hands-on experience, equipping them to design, analyse and evaluate wargames across complex problem spaces.

An online platform will provide suitable material such as lectures, literature, tasks and collaborative forums offering a peer-to-peer learning environment, and the ability to communicate with academic supervisors and industry mentors.

This training is offered as credit-bearing module or as a non-credit-rated short course. The 20 credit-rated CPD module requires learners to complete assessments and can be counted towards the postgraduate Advanced Practice Open Award. The non-credit-rated short course leads to a certificate of attendance only.

Dates

Delivery dates: Dates available upon request - email Karl Kjelstrup-Johnson (DASOBU Director) kkjelstrup-johnson@brookes.ac.uk.

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Application deadlines: tbc

Non-credit-rated short course: 5 days comprising 3 days in-person and 2 days online

Credit-rated course: 12 weeks, comprising 5 days hybrid and 11 weeks online/ self-paced (0.5 - 1 day a week)

Course cost

Non-credit-rated course: £1050*

Credit-rated course is £1,800*

Course Content

5-day short course, hybrid delivery. Applicable to both the non-credit-rated and credit-rated courses.

Orientation: Foundations of Wargaming. Introduction and definition of Wargaming. Overview and importance of the role of wargaming in decision-making. How do wargames relate to Red teaming and how does the Architect design games? Some examples of wargaming approaches i.e. Matrix, computer-based, table-top and their applications (i.e. each method lends itself to better scenarios)
Analysis: Game Structure, Mechanics and AAR. Dive into the methodologies behind Wargaming, such as Strategic Gaming, Game Facilitation and Game Analysis. Explores core wargaming principles, turn sequences, player roles and decision-making frameworks, ensuring participants grasp fundamental mechanics essential for designing and analysing strategic games.
Modelling of Wargame:Focus on the design of Wargames utilising Design patterns and identify KPIs. Exploring how AI can be used to support the design development of Wargame, support decision making within Wargame, and conduct AAR after the Wargame. Modelling human decision-making process and the utility of AI machine learning, reasoning, and autonomous decision-making for the simulation of human intelligence by computer systems.
Simulation of Wargame: Further development of Wargame and implement methods that can evaluate the performance of players as well as the game itself. Overview of Simulation Technologies Comprehensive overview of live, constructive and virtual simulation technologies. Wargame simulations serve as stress tests for strategies, systems and decision-making processes, exposing weaknesses under realistic conditions. They help identify design flaws, developmental gaps and performance shortfalls, ensuring robust solutions before real-world implementation.
Evaluation: The Future of Wargaming in Defence. Opportunity to present wargame concepts developed through the intensive to a panel outlining how the approaches apply to current roles.

The following applies to those engaged in the 12-week credit-rated CPD course.

In-depth study: In-depth study in response to a scenario requiring Wargaming methodology and develop a prototype wargame in response. The Prototype should be tested and evaluated in order to demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills.
Weekly online delivery Supervision Sessions: Flipped classroom format, weekly touch base with assigned supervisor. The participants will have access to an online platform which will provide suitable material such as lectures, literature, tasks and collaborative forums offering a peer-to-peer learning environment, and the ability to communicate between participants and with academic supervisors and industry mentors. Participants will be required to respond to tasks directly on the platform, allowing for continued assessment and progress analysis, offering clear visibility into the performance of each participant at key junctures through the course
Final Assessment: The final assessment comprises of a final presentation and report where participants will design, execute and critically assess a simulation-based experiment, incorporating lessons from the entire course. This exercise will test their ability to apply Wargaming principles, conduct statistical analysis and present their findings effectively.

Benefits (the SO what):

Operational Integration of AI: Trainees gain hands-on experience with human-AI decision cycles, aligning with MOD goals to integrate AI and autonomous systems across Defence.
Cognitive Readiness and Adaptability: Embeds training in metacognitive strategies and situational awareness, preparing participants for hybrid and multi-domain operations under high uncertainty and time pressure.
Multidomain Scenario Competence: Exercises reflect Joint Targeting and grey zone threats with emphasis on readiness across four lenses: NATO, homeland, global responsibility and hybrid warfare.

Application (the FOR what):

Supports Strategic Defence Objectives: The course seeks to address SDR ambitions to modernise Defence training and capabilities, especially by integrating digital-age technologies and human-machine teaming.
Enhances Force Readiness: Prepares personnel for high-intensity conflict by simulating joint cognitive-technical operations, addressing UK military concerns about warfighting readiness and resilience.
Direct Relevance to Homeland and Alliance Security: Trainees practice responses to cyber, kinetic and influence operations, mirroring current UK Defence priorities for countering grey zone and hybrid threats.

Contact us

If you have any enquiries about the course, please email us at hst-cpdadmissions@brookes.ac.uk

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*Cancellation policy

If you cancel on or before the application deadline, you will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made after this date are not eligible for a refund.

If the course is cancelled by Oxford Brookes University, all registered participants will get a full refund.

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