Unofficial IC Guide from United Kingdom DI

(The following is from a document created in 2003-2004 by Francey Welker, then a trainer in the UK)

Fiirst an introduction: IC is one of the great mysteries of the DI Program. You never know what sort of strange things you will be asked to do in less than ten minutes, all in the name of creativity. 

A lot of people find that intimidating. I'm one of them. And I have been at it for years as a Team Manager, IC Trainer and Global Appraiser. Yet, I am constantly amazed at what these creative teams come up with when the pressure is on them. Have  no fear. With a little preparation and a lot of imagination, you'll be an expert in no time.

Some advice:

One of the saddest things I have seen as an appraiser is a team that does a wonderful IC yet gets virtually no reward, in points, for their effort. Teams need to remember that appraisers can only award points for elements as stated in the IC, so read the scoring at the bottom of the IC. If the points are for making sound effects, you don't get points if you dont't make noise. If the height of the structure is where the big points are, you build a tall tower that stands when you let it go. Also, you get better teamwork points if the appraisers can hear your team during the planning time, so speak up, don't whisper (unless a surprise element is important, of course).

One idea that works for a lot of teams is to assign jobs to each team member. A timekeeper to keep your team moving towards the solution, a scorekeeper to make sure you are going for the points; these are some of the basics. Other ideas: a "general contractor" to decide which way to head in a task-based IC, a "director" to do the same in case of a performance-based one. Maybe some of your mates feel more comfortable playing inanimate objects. There's nothing wrong with letting people play to their strengths. Just get those roles straight before you get in there. Arguing in front of the appraisers is bad.

This packet is a very unofficial collection of hopefully helpful information gleaned from many different sources. I have tried to give credit where it is due, and I apologize to anyone I have slighted. Some of the ICs are my own creations. I hope you enjoy them.