Applying Serious Games on Risk Management in the Education of Engineers

Harder competition, the trend toward generally more complex products, shorter product lifecycles, and a higher demand of knowledge have forced the need of producing a product in co-operation with other enterprises. Through the increased co-operation of enterprises, global supply networks have evolved. The goal of these networks is the optimisation of logistical and production processes, which has made the networks vulnerable for disturbances. Many managers and employees are unaware of the cooperation-specific risks within the “lean” global supply networks. Furthermore, many enterprises see cooperation-specific risks as unavoidable, since they lack appropriate tools. The use of serious games can raise the awareness and understanding for the cooperation-specific risks, and the necessary tools and methods to overcome potential dangers. Through the careful design of a concept, gaming can prepare managers and employees for identifying, analysing, and evaluating risks that can occur within a global supply network.