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Timeline Builder

The Timeline Builder allows you to create sequences of events that unfold during a simulation, making scenarios dynamic and realistic.

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What is a Timeline?

A timeline is the sequence of events that occur during a simulation:
  • News Updates: Breaking news, reports, announcements
  • Incoming Messages: Emails, calls, texts from stakeholders
  • Status Changes: Situation escalations or improvements
  • Media Releases: Press coverage, social media activity
  • Resource Updates: New information becomes available

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Accessing Timeline Builder

1

Open Scenario

Navigate to Scenarios and select your scenario
2

Click 'Edit'

Enter edit mode
3

Go to Timeline Tab

Select the Timeline tab in the editor
4

View Timeline Canvas

See visual representation of event sequence

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Timeline Interface

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Visual Layout

Horizontal Timeline
  • Time runs left to right
  • Events appear as cards on timeline
  • Duration shown in minutes from simulation start
  • Drag events to reposition
  • Zoom in/out for detail

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Timeline Controls

  • Zoom: + / - buttons or mouse wheel
  • Pan: Click and drag timeline
  • Add Event: Click on timeline or + Add Event button
  • Delete: Select event, press Delete or click trash icon
  • Duplicate: Copy event and modify

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Creating Events

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Add a New Event

1

Click Add Event

On timeline or use + Add Event button
2

Choose Event Type

Select from:
  • News Update
  • Message/Email
  • Phone Call
  • Status Change
  • Media Clip
  • Document Release
  • Custom Event
3

Set Trigger Time

When should this event occur?
  • Absolute Time: X minutes from simulation start
  • Relative Time: Y minutes after another event
  • Conditional: Triggered by participant decision
4

Add Content

  • Title
  • Description/body
  • Attachments (images, videos, documents)
  • Source (who is sending/reporting this)
5

Configure Display

  • Notification type (banner, modal, sidebar)
  • Auto-dismiss or require acknowledgment
  • Highlight as urgent (optional)
6

Save Event

Event appears on timeline

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Event Types

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News Update

Breaking news or media reports:

Format

  • Headline
  • News body
  • Source (news organization)
  • Image/video

Use Cases

  • Situation escalation
  • Public reaction
  • External developments
  • Media coverage

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Message/Email

Communications from stakeholders:
  • From: Sender name and role
  • To: Recipient (participant or role)
  • Subject: Email subject line
  • Body: Message content
  • Attachments: Documents, images
  • Urgency: Normal, Important, Urgent

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Phone Call

Simulated incoming calls:
  • Caller: Name and organization
  • Purpose: Why they’re calling
  • Audio: Optional audio message
  • Transcript: Written version
  • Action Required: Must respond? Call back?

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Status Change

Updates to the crisis situation:
  • Element: What changed (casualties, damage, resources)
  • New Status: Updated information
  • Impact: How this affects the situation
  • Visual: Dashboard widget update, map change

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Media Clip

Video or audio content:
  • Type: News broadcast, social media video, interview
  • Duration: Length of clip
  • File: Upload video/audio
  • Transcript: For accessibility
  • Context: When/where this is from

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Document Release

New information becomes available:
  • Document Name: Report, plan, data, etc.
  • File: PDF, image, spreadsheet
  • Source: Who released it
  • Summary: Quick overview

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Event Timing

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Absolute Timing

Fixed time from simulation start: 
Event triggers at: 5 minutes
Event triggers at: 15 minutes
Event triggers at: 30 minutes
Best for:
  • Structured scenarios
  • Predictable progressions
  • Timed phases

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Relative Timing

Based on another event: 
5 minutes after "Initial Briefing"
10 minutes after "First Decision"
Best for:
  • Dependent events
  • Logical sequences
  • Reaction scenarios

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Conditional Timing

Triggered by participant actions: 
If Decision A → Option 1: Trigger "Positive Outcome Event"
If Decision A → Option 2: Trigger "Negative Outcome Event"
If no decision within 10 min: Trigger "Escalation Event"
Best for:
  • Branching scenarios
  • Consequence-based learning
  • Adaptive difficulty

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Event Dependencies

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Creating Event Chains

Link events together:
1

Select Parent Event

Click the event that should trigger others
2

Add Dependent Event

Click Add Dependent Event or draw connection
3

Set Condition

  • Always follow parent
  • Only if decision X
  • Only if time threshold met
4

Configure Timing

How long after parent event should child trigger?

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Branching Scenarios

Create different paths: 
Decision Point: "Do you evacuate?"
├─ Yes → Event: "Evacuation underway" → Event: "Traffic issues"
└─ No → Event: "Staying in place" → Event: "Conditions worsen"
Complex branching increases scenario difficulty and testing needs. Start simple, add complexity gradually.

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Event Content Best Practices

Write events as they would actually appear:
  • Authentic news language
  • Realistic email formats
  • Appropriate urgency and tone
Build tension over time:
  • Start with manageable situation
  • Introduce complications gradually
  • Peak at crisis midpoint
  • Resolution opportunities near end
Mix event types and sources:
  • News media
  • Internal communications
  • External stakeholders
  • Social media
  • Official channels
Balance detail with clarity:
  • Enough info to make decisions
  • Not so much it’s overwhelming
  • Key details highlighted
  • Supporting docs available
Time events appropriately:
  • Don’t flood participants
  • Allow thinking time between events
  • Increase pace during climax
  • Slow down for resolution

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Multimedia in Events

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Adding Images

  1. Click Add Image in event editor
  2. Upload or select from media library
  3. Add caption
  4. Set display: Inline, attachment, or popup
Good Uses:
  • Damage photos
  • Maps with highlighted areas
  • Charts and graphs
  • Social media screenshots

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Adding Videos

  1. Upload video file (MP4 recommended)
  2. Or embed from YouTube/Vimeo
  3. Add title and description
  4. Transcript for accessibility
Good Uses:
  • News broadcasts
  • Eyewitness videos
  • Stakeholder statements
  • Instructional clips

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Audio Files

  1. Upload audio (MP3, WAV)
  2. Provide transcript
  3. Set auto-play or manual
Good Uses:
  • Emergency radio
  • Phone call recordings
  • Public announcements
  • Ambient sounds

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Testing Your Timeline

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Preview Mode

Test the timeline before publishing:
1

Click 'Preview Timeline'

Button in timeline editor
2

Set Speed

  • Real-time (as participants will experience)
  • Fast-forward (2x, 5x, 10x speed)
  • Step-by-step (manually advance)
3

Run Through

Watch events trigger in sequence
4

Test Decisions

Make different choices to see branching
5

Check Timing

Verify pacing feels right
6

Note Issues

Document what needs adjustment

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Common Issues to Check

Events in logical order
No timing conflicts (multiple events at once)
All branches reachable
Media files load correctly
Text readable and error-free
Appropriate pacing (not too fast/slow)

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Advanced Features

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Random Events

Add unpredictability:
  1. Create Random Event Pool
  2. Add multiple possible events
  3. Set probability for each
  4. System randomly selects which fires
Example: 
At 20 minutes, trigger ONE of:
- 40% chance: Minor complication
- 30% chance: Moderate complication
- 20% chance: Major complication
- 10% chance: Unexpected help

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Participant-Triggered Events

Events that fire based on participant actions:
  • Performance-Based: Trigger if score above/below threshold
  • Speed-Based: If decisions made quickly/slowly
  • Inactivity: If no action for X minutes
  • Collaboration: If team communicates/doesn’t communicate

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Dynamic Content

Content that adapts:
  • Personalization: Use participant’s name, role, company
  • Variables: Reference previous decisions
  • Calculations: Show updated statistics based on choices
Example: 
"Based on your decision to [DECISION], casualties are now [CALCULATED_CASUALTIES]."

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Timeline Templates

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Using Templates

Save time with pre-built timelines:
  1. Browse Templates: Standard crisis types (fire, cyber, natural disaster)
  2. Select Template: Choose closest match
  3. Apply to Scenario: Timeline populates
  4. Customize: Modify events to fit your needs

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Creating Templates

Save your timeline for reuse:
  1. Build timeline
  2. Click Save as Template
  3. Name template
  4. Set visibility (personal or organization)
  5. Template available for future scenarios

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Collaborative Timeline Editing

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Working with Co-Creators

  • Real-Time Sync: See others’ changes live
  • Event Locking: Event locked while being edited
  • Comments: Add notes on events for collaborators
  • Version Control: Revert if needed

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Next Steps

Creating Scenarios

Build complete scenarios

Group Simulations

Deploy scenarios to teams