BizGames: Teaching Tools for Operations Management
This Web site was designed with the simple goal in mind: collect comprehensive information on available simulation-based games that can be used in Operations Management courses. Games have become one of the most effective teaching tools for OM. Games make the learning process not only fun for students, but the hands-on experience helps the students understand the concepts at a deeper level.
BizGames presents information in a straightforward manner, detailing basic requirements of the games, a description of how the game is played, material covered and contact information. The games included here take many formats: some may be played on the web, some are downloadable computer games, where others are played without computers and involve certain props, such as poker chips or legos.
If you want to share your games, corrections to our information, or any other thoughts and any ideas, please contact us so we can make this resource more complete and helpful for everyone.
Our thanks to the National Science Foundation for their support for this project (Award #0237726).
We would also like to thank Henry B. Tippie College of Business Stead Technology Services Group (Web site).
How is the site organized?
The links on the upper left are topical divisions for the games we have found. If you are looking for a game focused on Supply Chain Management, for example, then choose that topic and peruse the games found there. However, if you want to see all of the games, then you can do that, too, by choosing the last topic. After going to the page for the topic you select, you will find a basic matrix with requirements, cost, participant information, etc for each of the games. You can click on the names of the games to find more detailed information about them. You will be presented with additional content: summary of the game, screen shots or photos, and links to where you can get more information (we might be adding user comments to that section as well so stay tuned).
Below is a description of the concepts covered within each topic:
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Supply Chain Management Games These games examine the challenges of designing and managing supply chains. They will allow students to understand the difficulties associated with making decisions when multiple parties are involved. These games focus on issues such as how to coordinate inventory and location decisions. View Games > |
Inventory and Production Games Effectively managing inventory is crucial for businesses to be profitable. This section presents games that provide opportunities for students to experience the challenges associated with making ordering decisions in a simulated environment and track the consequences of those decisions. View Games > |
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Vehicle Routing Games Efficiency in delivering goods is only achieved with a lot of patience and practice, but students often don't realize this until they try it themselves. Have your students play some of these games to understand the difficulty of managing fleets of vehicles and serving multiple customers. View Games > |
Facility Location Games Location, location, location. It is not only important for real estate, but it is an important factor in determining delivery costs and delivery times to customers. The choice of location could make or break your company, and these games simulate the challenges associated with these decisions. View Games > |
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Lean and Quality Games These aren't just popular words. These methods help companies reduce inventory, streamline their operations, and ultimately help their bottom line. These games are a helpful way for students to see how these techniques can help a company succeed. View Games > |
All Games If you want to examine all of the games we have found, look here. Hopefully, you can find something that matches your teaching needs and can be played in the time you have available. View Games > |
