# **Name Claim Aim - Leading with Good Judgment** ![[scenario-604x292.jpg]] _You have responded to an emergency, you look up and you don't know many members of the team. The patient is struggling to breathe, and you are starting to sweat._ **In the heat of a crisis, how do you bring a team together? How do you organize people who may have rarely worked together before, make quick decisions, and ensure the best possible outcome?** The answer is **Name-Claim-Aim (NCA)**—a simple yet powerful framework that provides clarity, leadership, and direction when it matters most. We have international collaborations to bring[ Name Claim Aim around the world](https://harvardmedsim.org/blog/name-claim-aim-around-the-world/), and more are in process. ## **What is Name-Claim-Aim?** **Name** the situation – What’s happening? Make it explicit. **Claim** leadership and organize – Who’s organizing or leading this team? What all the other roles we need? **Assign/volunteer roles** clearly and collaboratively for the rest of members of the team. **Aim** for action – What’s the plan? Get the team moving on action, while being cognizant of the big goals. Re-Name, Re-Claim, Re-Aim as the situation evolves This three-step approach transforms chaos into coordinated action. NCA balances **strong leadership with inclusive language**, ensuring that everyone has a voice and a role in high-pressure moments. Name Claim Aim is a helpful English skin to reduce the cognitive load during ad hoc teaming situations. Other languages have other words, and we have started creating versions. In essence, ad hoc teams need to 1) Identify it is a teaming situation 2) co-create shared understanding of what is happening 3) Explicitly identify the team structure and assign people to tasks 4) Take action, do the work 5) Reassess at intervals and adjust as conditions change ![[https___harvardmedsim.org_wp-content_uploads_2019_06_Name-Claim-Aim-Updated-2019.jpeg]] ![[https___harvardmedsim.org_wp-content_uploads_2019_06_Name-Claim-Aim-Checklist-Updated-2019-645x1024.jpeg]] --- ## **Why NCA Works** • **Immediate clarity:** Everyone knows what’s happening and why. • **Defined roles:** No ambiguity, just effective collaboration. • **Encourages speaking up:** Open-ended prompts like _“What am I missing?”_ keep the whole team engaged. • **Built for action:** Whether it’s an emergency resuscitation, a surgical crisis, or a high-stakes handoff, NCA provides a blueprint for leadership under pressure. --- ## **A Tool for Simulationists** around the world We know that **teaching Crisis Resource Management (CRM) principles** is essential—but it’s also challenging. Many frameworks explain **what** teams should do, but few provide a **simple, teachable structure for how to do it in the moment** NCA is an accessible tool for simulationists—it translates complex team behaviors into a structured, easy-to-learn approach. Whether you’re debriefing a code blue, running trauma simulations, or coaching leadership in a high-stakes environment, **NCA provides a concrete starting point for real-time team organization.** When teams walk away from a simulation, we want them to **remember and apply what they’ve learned**. With NCA, we give them a practical, **rehearsable** tool they can carry into their next real-world emergency. --- ## **Resources to Help You Teach & Lead Under Pressure**: **NCA Quick Guide:** English – [Download] French - [Download] Spanish - [Download] If you are interested in helping us create versions for your organization, language or culture, please contact us: [email protected] Articles in Press: - Salvetti, F., Gardner, R., Minehart, R., & Bertagni, B. (2019). Advanced Medical Simulation: Interactive Videos and Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice to Enhance Teamwork and Event Management – Effective Event Management During Simulated Obstetrical Cases. _International Journal of Advanced Corporate Learning (iJAC)_, _12_(3), 70. [https://doi.org/10.3991/ijac.v12i3.11270](https://doi.org/10.3991/ijac.v12i3.11270) - _Use Name/Claim/Aim When Rapidly Forming a Team - JEMS: EMS, Emergency Medical Services - Training, Paramedic, EMT News_. (2024, August 22). [https://www.jems.com/major-incidents/use-name-claim-aim-when-rapidly-forming-a-team/](https://www.jems.com/major-incidents/use-name-claim-aim-when-rapidly-forming-a-team/) Podcast: - Orman, R. (2024, April 1). 123. How to Create a Team in 10 Seconds | Why time is not linear and every second not worth the same. _Orman Physician Coaching_. [https://roborman.com/stimulus/123-how-to-create-a-team-in-10-seconds-why-time-is-not-linear-and-every-second-not-worth-the-same/](https://roborman.com/stimulus/123-how-to-create-a-team-in-10-seconds-why-time-is-not-linear-and-every-second-not-worth-the-same/) --- ## **Join the Name-Claim-Aim Movement** Whether you’re in simulation, clinical care, or crisis leadership—NCA is for you. Share your story | Help us localize | Contact us: [email protected] ---