DecisionLab (DLabs) produces analysis and reports from Hydra exercise discussions and decision logs. It brings together what groups discussed, the decisions they recorded and the reasoning behind them.
Understanding the thinking behind a decision
Important learning often sits within the conversation: a concern raised briefly, a disagreement that changes the discussion, or an assumption that everyone appears to accept. These moments can be difficult to capture while facilitating a session.
DecisionLab helps bring this material into the debrief, giving facilitators and participants evidence to explore together:
- What did people notice?
- What assumptions shaped their response?
- Which perspectives were shared, challenged or left unexplored?
The analysis provides a starting point for questions, reflection and discussion. Facilitators and participants interpret the evidence in the context of the exercise.
Capturing discussion in the room
A mobile kit allows teams to capture discussions for DecisionLab analysis in different teaching and exercise spaces. Practical training covers setting up the equipment, capturing the conversation and using the resulting analysis to support a debrief.
The equipment supports the method: helping people examine how they reached a decision and learn from one another's reasoning.
What a DecisionLab report includes
- Summaries: an account of the main points raised during the exercise.
- Syndicate comparisons: where groups took similar approaches and where their decisions differed.
- Decision analysis: examination of the decisions and the reasoning recorded during the exercise.
- Recommendations: points to consider for subsequent learning, exercise development or organisational practice.
Reviewing an exercise
A report gives facilitators and their teams material to revisit after the session. Comparing syndicates can provide a starting point for discussing different interpretations, assumptions and approaches to the same scenario.
DecisionLab reporting sits within Hydra simulation, including exercises delivered through Hydra Presence. Discuss the exercise and reporting requirements with us when planning your delivery.
Explore how Hydra exercises work.
DecisionLab with An Garda Síochána
On 9 November 2026, Professor Jonathan Crego is travelling to Ireland to work with colleagues from An Garda Síochána. The visit focuses on using their mobile kit to capture discussions for DecisionLab analysis and support facilitated debriefing.
The aim is to build confidence in the equipment and the method, helping the Garda team develop its use around its own scenarios, teaching priorities and professional experience.
Read about the DecisionLab training visit.
Discuss reporting for your exercise
Contact the Hydra team about DecisionLab analysis and reporting.