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global supply

chain management
simulation

For courses in:


Supply

Chain Management

Operations Management

Global Supply Chain Management

In this single-player simulation, students set up


a global supply chain to deliver two models of
mobile phones. The simulation takes place over
four years and students visit four different rooms
each year. Students choose new mobile phone
features and forecast demand. They choose among

a geographically diverse group of suppliers, all with


different lead times, and contract for production.
The goal is to understand how to balance competing
priorities and a supply chain that is flexible enough
to react quickly to unexpected shifts in demand
while remaining profitable.

In the Design Room, students choose options for two models of mobile phones and analyze the possible impact on sales.

The Design Room


In the Design Room, students choose
among four options to add to two
mobile phone models. The Design
Room advisers offer different
opinions on the relative value of

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each possible product feature and


provide individual demand forecasts.
Analysis tools allow students to
summarize the forecasts from the
advisors and determine the best
combination of options.

The Forecasting Room


In the Forecasting Room, students
must forecast the total demand
for each mobile phone based on
the design options they selected
in the Design Room. Members of
the forecasting team present their
individual forecasts along with a brief
explanation for the numbers. Using
this information, students create a
demand estimate for the year.
The Production Room
In the Production Room, students
set up the supply chain to meet the
demand forecast. There are four
possible suppliers located in different
parts of the world. Each supplier has
different production costs, lead times,
and capacities that students consider
in constructing an effective supply
chain. Once the orders are placed,
students advance the simulation one
month at a time through 12 months
of production.

Students forecast their demand estimates for the year based on the selected phone options.

Estimated demand numbers are


replaced by actual sales for each
month and students monitor whether
the supply chain is able to match
demand. Students must weigh the
costs and benefits of changing production orders mid-year. Production
shortages result in lost revenue while
excess inventory must be sold off at
a substantial discount to liquidators
at the end of the year.

Students choose suppliers to create a global supply chain.

board Room
In the Board Room, students review
their performance for the year with
the Board of Directors. Each board
member offers constructive feedback
on how well the students managed the
supply chain strategy. Some board
members ask additional questions to
test students understanding of how
Board members provide feedback on the
performance for the year.

well the supply chain functioned.


Students can earn board votes,
votes of confidence from board
members who are pleased with
their performance.
Students keep track of their yearly
performance in the Scorecard section.
The Scorecard tracks yearly profits as
well as the number of board votes.
administration tools on next page

Administration Tools for Faculty

A comprehensive Facilitator's Guide


covers key learning objectives,
including:

Creating a cost-effective and


flexible supply chain using a
combination of suppliers

Managing inventory when


demand is uncertain

Evaluating and interpreting the


dynamics of forecasting demand
and production requirements
Reacting to shifts in demand
throughout the production cycle

Developed by

Global Supply Chain Management Administration


Back to Administration Home
Download Excel File
Board Votes

Profits

Composite Score
Search:

Team

Profits

Board Votes

Composite Score

Strategy

ANDREWJONES

$154,769.00

13

0.7879533739630410

View Strategy

BELLABROWN

$154,798.00

12

0.7254540489913830

View Strategy

CAMERONSWIFT

$168,837.00

0.6629980316288440

View Strategy

DANIELCHUNG

0.5920511534857870

EDMANOS

$132,738.00

0.5179552189528390

View Strategy

FRANKSMITH

$140,181.00

$158,901.00

11

0.4656747108151110

View Strategy

View Strategy

GABYELEZAR

$151,747.00

0.4327976065525870

View Strategy

HANNAHBLYTHE

$139,055.00

10

0.3876176625571410

View Strategy

ISABELLEMERCER

$147,176.00

0.1904232985913490

View Strategy

JERRYCARRON

$90,391.00

-0.6451399699716790

View Strategy

KELLEYMCCORMACK

$0.00

LESLIESANDS

$0.00

View Strategy
View Strategy
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 ompetitive Opportunity
C
creates a composite score based
on profits and the number of
board votes allowing students
to be ranked against each other.
 eb-Based Scoringresults
W
are collected automatically and
are available in a web-based
administrative interface.

Results are collected automatically and are available for immediate viewing at
the end of the simulation.

viewing simulation
results

capturing student
strategies

Faculty have full and immediate


access to the simulation results
organized by total profit, board
votes, and a composite score based
on profits and board votes. Results
are also available for download in
Microsoft Excel format.

Faculty have the option to


require students to submit short
statements about the strategies
they are using in each room.
The statements are saved with
the simulation results and can
be useful for class discussion.

Product #6107 | Single-player | Seat Time: approximately 180 minutes | Developed in partnership with Enspire Learning.

also available

Free Trial Access

Premium Educator access is a free


Operations Management:
Process Analytics #3291

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service for faculty at degree-granting

A Free Trial allows full access to the


entire simulation and is available to
Premium Educators on our web site.

Educator Copies, Teaching Notes,

Free Trials, course planning tools,

institutions and allows access to

and special student pricing.

Customer service is available 8 am to 6 pm ET, Monday through Friday


Phone: 1-800-545-7685 (+1 617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)
Fax: 617-783-7666
Email: custserv@hbsp.harvard.edu
Web:

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Operations Management: Benihana #2653

Supply Chain Management:


Root Beer Game #3101

MC160860610

 apstone Experienceallows
C
students to synthesize the
concepts of supply chain
management and is ideal for use
at the end of a course or section.

Product #M12979

Printed on recycled paper.

Global Supply Chain


Management offers:

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