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Work Environment Simulations — Onsite Classroom Simulated Learning Interactions

Supply Chain Optimization: Putting It Into Practice (2-Days)

Learn how to structure the flow of information and materials from your suppliers to your customers from a strategic perspective. Gain an understanding of where the costs and problem areas reside, what alternatives are available and what it takes to put them into place. Identify key stakeholders and how to elicit their cooperation. Most importantly, learn how to measure the benefits to your organization. Using two business simulations, you will have the opportunity to work within multi-link supply chains in which you can try out your ideas and see how they work in practice. Success is measured by the resulting profit or loss.

It is recommended that supply management teams attend this seminar together. The learning interaction fosters an environment for teams to work together and design cross-functional solutions that apply to real-world challenges. This seminar is appropriate for cross-functional management teams because of the high-level, macro perspective that is provided. The emphasis is on what it takes to make supply chains operate well with an eye on the organization's profit/loss status.

The training simulation is a game where individuals assemble components to complete a finished product. During the exercise rounds, students identify and remove obstacles in the supply chain that impede efficiency, and improve service to both internal and external customers. Roles scan from sales to production, quality, and procurement. Total corporate inventory is calculated after each round in addition to other measures which include production efficiency, quality, and profit.

During the simulation training participants become employees of the Husky Truck Company. Training participants are grouped into work teams to act out various roles within the Husky Truck company, such as Engineer, Divisional Operations Manager, Purchasing Managers, Materials Manager, Plant Manager, Production Manager, and Quality Manager , just to name a few. They are then assigned various truck parts and company data. The designated work teams must work together to assemble the various parts into a trucks to sell to the marketplace. Each participant performs a role and key metrics are measured upon completion, including: Number of Autos Shipped, Number of Autos Rejected, Number of Autos Accepted and Paid, Level of Quality, Inventory Level, Profit and Loss. The instructor acts as the customer during the simulation and stipulates directives for the company to follow. The role playing simulation emphasizes negotiations with internal as well as external customers. It also demonstrates what some of the bottleneck problems are in working cross functional teams within a company and how to effectively solve and avoid them.

The duration of this onsite simulation is two (2) days. The minimum number of training participants is fifteen (15). The maximum number of training participants per session is thirty (30).

P-Strat — Unlocking Potential within Procurement Strategy Process (2 Days)

This learning interaction uses a unique computer based simulation in which four work teams develop and implement purchasing strategies in a real-time environment for a fictitious company. Each team gathers information, interacts with suppliers, analyzes spend, makes decisions and awards business. Teams compete against each other and each team's set of decisions impacts the market. Subsequent business decisions are made by each team throughout the simulation.

Since the learning interaction involves all facets and departments of a fictitious company in the decision making process, the training solution is ideal for cross functional work teams. Decisions from product market development to engineering and design to customer service affect the simulated buying decisions. Ultimately, the simulated buying decisions affect the performance of the fictitious company. An instructor introduces the simulation exercise and works throughout the two-day program to help participants learn from their decisions. Participants test their skills in gaining market intelligence, financial analysis, the impact of quality and supplier performance, and the presentation of a business case.

The duration of this onsite simulation is two (2) days. The minimum number of training participants is nine (9). The maximum number of training participants per each session is twenty- four (24).

Training Methodology Chart for Work Environment Simulations

Work Environment Simulations	Learning Interactions	Learning Objectives
Supply Chain Optimization: Putting It Into Practice	Training class is divided into work teams that complete two role playing exercises. Engages the visual adult learner through interaction with team members and the assembly components of the program. Team members build a product and additional elements of the supply chain for a fictitious marketplace.	How to measure the impact of supply chain optimization How to put the key principles of supply chain management into practice How to identify elements of cost throughout the supply chain Alternatives for optimizing or eliminating these cost items How to elicit organization-wide cooperation
P-Strat	Training class is broken up into 4 fictitious companies; Participants receive company information and make business decisions from computer based information; Two (2) day role play exercise with three instructor lecture sessions in between computer based simulations. Engages the visual adult learning by interacting with the computer simulation to receive fictitious company data to analyze and make business decisions.	A management thought process and a practical toolkit for strategizing How to use supply intelligence as an aid to commercial decisions The facets of strategic analysis using the Kraljic matrix and its variants. Various supply categories and their strategic classifications Detailed execution of the supply plans resulting in improved competence for real-life applications Increased responsiveness to supply market events How to strengthen influence through professional presentations using the language of supply management