Learning about Interference is everyone's job!
Updated for the 2023-24 season

One of the greatest joys (and frustrations) that comes from Destination Imagination ® (DI)  is watching a team go from concept to conclusion. The AHA moments.  The 'I can do this' realizations.  The 'look what we did' times.

Learning About Interference

The very essence of DI is that kids get to work together using the creative process to work out solutions to the DI Challenges. Their OWN solutions.  This means that only those on the team can contribute ideas, steer their own direction, overcome failures, and design and create the solution that is presented at a tournament.

In one simple term, 'hands off' literally and figuratively to anyone outside the official team. This means Team Managers, friends, parents, siblings, and grandparents etc. are not allowed to suggest ideas, attempt to persuade a team to go in a certain direction, or design, build and create props, scenery, or costumes.

In the DI world, this is called Interference. It goes against the grain of the entire process, and it's against the rules.

Teams will let you know that they are in charge. So, it would be a good idea for everyone involved with a DI team be made aware of what Interference is (and isn't).  This includes Team Managers, friends, parents, siblings, and yes, even grandparents.

Section VI of the 2023-24 Rules of the Road (ROR) is a great place to start when talking with those involved with your team about Interference.  You will find explanations of what those outside the team can and cannot do and under what circumstances. Take a look at the Interference triangle and you will see where everyone involved belongs.

What team members must do together without any interference:

  • Choose their Team Challenge
  • Generate ideas
  • Make  decisions
  • Research
  • Manage project timeline
  • Design and build their solution
  • Manage their budget
  • Solve conflicts

How non-team members can support the team:

  • Teach skills when identified by the team*
  • Guide them through the creative process
  • Answer clarifying questions about the Challenge
  • Determine safety rules
  • Help them to understand project management
  • Cheer them on
  • Bring snacks to meetings
  • Do Instant Challenges with the team
  • Take them shopping for supplies

*A team must ask to be shown a general skill that can be taught in general terms.  The skill cannot be taught as it applies specifically to a team's Challenge solution. Ex: A team decides they want to make their own costumes by sewing them. They can ask to be taught how to sew. The person teaching the team this skill must do so in general terms and NOT on or with the costumes the team wants to make.

Myth: If it isn't safe for a team member to do themselves, I can do it for them.
This is false. A common myth that has been around for decades, is that you can do something for a team if what they are proposing is unsafe.   If a team wants to complete a task and their method is deemed unsafe (a Team Manager CAN deem something unsafe), the team must come up with a different way to do it. Doing it for them is Interference.

Myth: I can just hold a piece of board while they are drilling or sawing since I am not doing the drilling or sawing.
This is false. If you can say you did anything for the team in this way, this is Interference.  You can teach the team members proper drilling and sawing protocol and supervise to be sure they stay safe, but you cannot touch anything, even holding something for them to drill or saw.  The team members must work together to figure out that one of THEM will hold the board and the other will drill or saw. If they are working on their Challenge solution, holding the board for them is Interference.

Myth: I broke a prop while I was carrying it into a tournament site so I can fix it.
This is false. While this does happen and is unfortunate that the prop broke, it is still up to the team to figure out how and fix it themselves if they so choose. Fixing the prop for them is Interference.

Can I…?  Should I…?  What do you think about…?  Why isn't this…?
Everyone also has to be careful when a DI-er asks a question.  Every Team Manager has heard questions that start with these phrases hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of times.

The best way to answer is an open-ended question.  Throw the ball back into the team members' court so and let them figure out the answers.

The rewards are more than you can imagine when the team gets to say they owned every aspect of their Challenge solution.  New skills are learned. Confidence levels soar. And that is what it is all about!

For more information on Interference

Skip to content