The Promise and Pitfalls of Wargames: Differentiating Good from Bad Games

• In Event: Wargaming and Experimental Methods

Abstract

Many political scientists are interested in using wargames as a source of data for testing different propositions related to phenomenon which typically lack observational data in the real world. This assumes that one understands how to differentiate a good from a bad wargame. The method of wargaming is an underdeveloped one with many proponents arguing that it is more of an art than a science. This paper takes the view that wargaming, like any method, has strengths and weaknesses, but that there are no accepted standards for evaluating wargames. It aims to fill in this gap in the existing literature by developing criteria for assessing wargames so that researchers can distinguish between those that are reliable and valid sources of empirical data and those that are unsound for any number of reasons. In addition to developing a framework for assessing games, it also considers what one can learn and extract from games.

Author

• Stacie Pettyjohn, RAND Corporation