How KPMG Makes Money was one of the most enjoyable and creatively challenging projects I’ve worked on—reimagining the classic mechanics of Monopoly into a fully physical, in-person board game designed to help KPMG apprentices grasp how the firm operates.
As part of a large national induction programme, the game needed to be engaging, simple to run, and completely facilitator-free, allowing groups of new apprentices to learn through collaboration, discussion, and play.
I designed the entire experience from the ground up: the gameplay structure, visual layout of the board, rules, narrative, flow of turns, and all supporting materials.
Using Monopoly as a familiar reference point gave learners an immediate sense of how to engage with the game—earning money, making strategic choices, managing resources, and navigating opportunities and risks.
From there, I adapted these mechanics to reflect KPMG’s real business model, including service lines, client work, revenue generation, and the trade-offs that shape project and financial decisions. The result is a playful but accurate simulation where learners experience how value is created across the firm.
Because the game runs without any facilitator, I crafted clear, intuitive instructions and designed the flow to be self-contained, ensuring that groups could pick it up and play confidently. Every component—from the cards to the turn-flow to the scoring—had to teach, guide, and reinforce learning independently.
A major part of the development involved thorough pilot testing with volunteer first- and second-year apprentices. I observed groups as they played, noting where rules caused confusion, seeing which parts sparked the most excitement, and listening to their feedback on pacing, clarity, and fun.
These sessions were invaluable. They helped me refine the mechanics, simplify certain rules, improve balance, and ensure that the learning messages came through naturally during gameplay. After several rounds of iteration, the game became smoother, more intuitive, and more enjoyable.
The final board game turns what could have been a dry induction topic into a lively, social, memorable learning experience.
By blending thoughtful instructional design, hands-on game mechanics, and real-user testing, How KPMG Makes Money helps apprentices understand the firm’s business model in a way that’s energetic, collaborative, and genuinely fun.