Conceptual modeling for simulation-based serious gaming

a r t i c l e i n f o In recent years many simulation-based serious games have been developed for supporting (future) managers in operations management decision making. They illustrate the high potential of using discrete event simulation for pedagogical purposes. Unfortunately, this potential does not seem to go together with the availability of guidance for the game designer on the use of simulation. In response, we propose a conceptual modeling framework for simulation-based serious gaming. It structures the conceptual modeling process by identifying five key modeling activities in defining a conceptual model, i.e., a blue print for model coding. Activities aim to explore the learning environment, and capture modeling objectives, and model inputs, outputs and contents. Each activity is further detailed in terms of steps to undertake, good practices, and supportive methods. Use of the framework is illustrated by a case example concerning education of retail managers on inventory control. Many researchers indicate the high potential of serious games for acquiring decision making skills in operations management, see, Essential strengths of gaming are in the active involvement of trainees, the possibility to experience the topic as a whole, and its suit-ability to convey system characteristics [7,17,20]. These characteristics give it a decisive advantage over conventional lecturing. Furthermore, factors such as visibility, reproducibility, safety, economy, and system availability make gaming a viable alternative for training-on-the-job [42,48]. In this article we address the design of computer-based serious games for supporting decision making in operations management. Note how we use the adjective " serious " to stress the learning objective underlying the game [15]. For example, serious games are helpful in preparing students for their future role as decision makers on compa-nies' production and logistic systems [32,34]. Also, they may support current operations managers in learning how to make better decisions through experimenting within a safe learning environment [9,25]. Some illustrative examples of serious games concern the design and control of a manufacturing system [5], effective use of enterprise resource planning systems [1], configuration of emergency departments [27], and operational supply chain management [64]. Discrete event simulation is a natural concept for computer-based modeling of operations systems, due to the efficiency of its event-based time mechanism, and its allowance for uncertainties in opera-tion's timing and outcomes [33]. In recognition of this fact, many simulation software tools are developed offering extensive libraries of tailored building blocks, efficiently facilitating systems modeling and …