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- 7.1: Simulation Game.
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Simulation Game "Material Flow Manager"
"Our company should remain a strong economic driver in the automotive industry in Baden-Wurttemberg. But to accomplish this goal, we must save costs." Werner Schwäbele, CEO of Pforzheimer Metallguss Schwäbele GmbH (PMG), looks expectantly around the room. The current situation is serious. The competitive pressure from Asia continues to mount, and the automobile industry, to which the company supplies engine blocks and other cast metal parts, demands continual cost reductions. In order to remain competitive, PMG has to do something. For this reason, Schwäbele has brought together the production manager, the controller, the head of logistics as well as the newly appointed representative for environmental protection. "Your suggestions, please," the CEO requests.
Within the last few years, material costs have become cost factor number 1 in the manufacturing industry while labor costs have continuously decreased and can no longer be reduced. Pforzheim University addresses this current challenge with a modern teaching concept. The simulation game "Energy and Material Flow Management" has been developed by an ambitious group of students in the Business Administration and Engineering Master’s Program and will be used in teaching while being continually developed under the leadership of Prof. Mario Schmidt and René Keil (M.S. Dipl.-Ing.).
In the simulation game, students slip into the roles of CEO, production manager, controller, logistics manager and environmental protection representative and in four rounds try to analyze production with regard to energy and material flows and to identify relevant potentials. Parallel to the play rounds, knowledge of helpful methods and tools is conferred. Through this, a close interaction between teaching and application is achieved.
What students have to say about the game:
"A very interesting and practical course, which combines logistic, economic and technical aspects in an optimal way…highly recommended!"
"A crash course in technical and business management. Very informative!"
"A welcome change to the normal lecture routine."
Are you interested in playing the simulation game at your university or company? Get in touch with us!
Contact:
Bettina Joa
- Phone: +49 7231 / 28 - 6138
René Keil
Email: rene.keil(at)gmx.de
Publications and Presentations
Keil, R., Schmidt, M. (2007): Material Efficiency in Higher Education. Requirements Regarding Teaching and their Practical Realizsation in a New Simulation Game. Presentation and Paper on R'07 World Congress, 9-5-2007, Davos. [Download Paper, PDF], [Download Presentation, PDF]
Keil, R., Schmidt, M. (2007): Development of a New Simulation Game for Teaching Material Flow Management in Higher Education. Presentation on the 4. International Conference of the International Society of Industrial Ecology (ISIE), 6-20-2007, Toronto. [Download PDF]