Using System Dynamics in Business Simulation Training Games
Using System Dynamics in Business Simulation Training Games by Jennifer Ching-Wen Han Submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY May 9th, 1997 © Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1997. All Rights Reserved.
Au th or ............................................................................. Departmenft-f Electrical Engineering and Computer Science May 9th, 1997 Certified by .... .................................. ................... Richard C. Larson _Th sis Supervisor
Accepted by ........
............ Arthur C. Smith Chairman, Department Committee on Graduate Theses
......
Using System Dynamics in Business Simulation Training Games by Jennifer Ching-Wen Han
Submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
May 9th, 1997
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
ABSTRACT
This thesis project includes researching and designing a system dynamics model for use in an existing Andersen Consulting Education (ACE) project management training game. This serves two major purposes. The first is to show how system dynamics can be used as a realistic and potentially superior method of business modeling. The second is to actually improve the existing game. The current training game, Project Management Fundamentals School, leads trainees through managing a project via a series of case studies. The improved game will include a computerized system dynamics model so that trainee inputs can effect the outcome of the game. This change will allow players to test their suggestions, making the game more interactive and interesting. The base system dynamics model is from Tarek Abdel-Hamid's 1984 Ph.D. thesis "The Dynamics of Software Development Project
Au th or ............................................................................. Departmenft-f Electrical Engineering and Computer Science May 9th, 1997 Certified by .... .................................. ................... Richard C. Larson _Th sis Supervisor
Accepted by ........
............ Arthur C. Smith Chairman, Department Committee on Graduate Theses
......
Using System Dynamics in Business Simulation Training Games by Jennifer Ching-Wen Han
Submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
May 9th, 1997
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
ABSTRACT
This thesis project includes researching and designing a system dynamics model for use in an existing Andersen Consulting Education (ACE) project management training game. This serves two major purposes. The first is to show how system dynamics can be used as a realistic and potentially superior method of business modeling. The second is to actually improve the existing game. The current training game, Project Management Fundamentals School, leads trainees through managing a project via a series of case studies. The improved game will include a computerized system dynamics model so that trainee inputs can effect the outcome of the game. This change will allow players to test their suggestions, making the game more interactive and interesting. The base system dynamics model is from Tarek Abdel-Hamid's 1984 Ph.D. thesis "The Dynamics of Software Development Project