The simulation involves the kidnapping of Lawrence McKay, an executive of the fictitious multinational American Foods Corporation (AMFOCOR). An obscure, U.S.-based terrorist group claims that he will be tried in their 'people's court.' The simulation opens with a film showing the antecedents to the abduction and the first two meetings of the AMFOCOR CMT. The film provides concentrated background information and reduces the time needed to get the exercise started. At a dramatic point in the film, the screen goes dark and the 'real' CMT goes into action. The group must tackle a complex set of problems, including ransom demands, an upset wife, and AMFOCOR's chairman of the board who insists on inserting his limited expertise at crucial points in team deliberations. Four types of materials are used in the simulation: a basic background kit, on-request background material, preprogrammed materials, and stimulators. Two groups -- the CMT being tested and the data bank team -- are involved in the crisis simulation. The data bank represents all the potential audiences in the exercise: terrorists, press, law enforcement, etc. The data bank team can be either in-house security personnel or outside people provided by an experienced consulting organization. The simulation involves three levels of evaluation: self-evaluation by the CMT, evaluation by the data bank team, and a longer term analysis and feedback by the CMT at some point after the exercise. Outcomes of the exercise may include a change in the overall CMT design, a change in facilities and communications, and changes in membership.