Peer Review

The Supply Chain Game

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Dec 9, 2014 by Business

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: The Supply Chain Game is a simulation in which students are assigned to teams which are competing with one another. Students have to make decisions concerning production, transportation, inventory control or warehouses. In the simulation there are factories and warehouses distributed in different regions (up to 5) and the product to be managed is drums of a chemical. Licenses have to be paid per student for using the simulation in classes and to access it you have to ask for a trial. As a professor you can ask for a trial account and for a teaching note. NOTE: It is clearly stated that there is a $20 fee per student to use this simulation.
Type of Material:: Simulation
Recommended Uses:: It is recommended to be used as a complement to a class; students can apply the lessons they learn in class. It is a very practical tool. The idea is that students make a decision once or twice a week, depending on the length of the total course.
Technical Requirements:: Java 7, update 45, Firefox 5.0, Google and Internet Explorer version 11 were used in this review.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: • Learn and practice the concepts of forecasting, inventory and production control. • Practice the main concept of logistics. • Learn how to design a supply network.
Target Student Population:: This is recommended for undergraduate students, possibly graduate students as part of an overview of supply chain management.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: None were specifically stated, however, students need a basic understanding of how supply change management works before attempting a simulation. If this is the first course for students, this simulation would be best used close to the end of the course. If students have had a course of supply change management previously, this could be used as a pretest.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: Students can apply the concepts of balanced production, stocks, demand… To set the decisions, students need time to reflect and think. It is a simulation that requires adequate time to be prepared for students and for the instructor. This is a game to be played in several days/weeks. It is good to allow students to access the game some days before the game starts so that they have time to formulate their strategies. The demand forecast is variable for the regions. The "hands-on" experience can provide an excellent learning tool. Instructor materials are available, learning goals are provided, and this would be easily integrated into a supply change management course.
Concerns:: More instructions for the students are required. It is not an Open Educational Resource. It seems that the demand is too cyclical in periods of a year in one of the regions. A players’ manual is required. One can only access a trial version which has restrictions.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: The material appears to be of high quality and very effective, based on the learning outcomes provided and the information that is available on the site. The professor can see in real time the decisions of the teams and change some of these.
Concerns:: The instructor could have the option to manage the time, in other words to have the flexibility to pass through the days quicker if he/she wants. The instructor should have the possibility to pass through turns or speed up the simulation.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: It appears as though the website is easy to use, but the website is not the actual simulation. Without further information it is difficult to determine if this is easy to use. One can download the data. You can zoom in by using the mouse. The controls are easy to manage and very easy to read.
Concerns:: It seems to be an old fashioned user face and graphic design. The design is too simple. The screen is just one page which is not eye-catching.

Other Issues and Comments:: There are no new issues,but again, it is not possible to evaluate the ease-of-use, the content quality and the effectiveness without actually seeing an example of the simulation. There is not enough information on this webpage. If the learning outcomes and the information available on the website live up to expectations, this is can be a very effective learning experience.
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