Supply Chain Simulation: Root Beer Game Illustrates how oscillations arise in a simple supply chain and how they amplify as one moves up the chain, a dynamic referred to as the bullwhip effect. Simulations re-create real-world settings to reinforce student learning. Flexible administrative options let professors adjust learning experiences for a range of course levels, from undergraduate to specialized graduate courses. Each simulation includes a detailed Facilitator s Guide and how to play video overview, as well as recommendations for class play and debrief. This version of the classic Beer Game portrays a typical supply chain; each team consists of 4 links in the chain. The Root Beer Game is enhanced by powerful administrative features: instructors can run any number of configurations simultaneously in the same class; results are tracked in real time and are immediately available in debrief-ready graphs at the end of the game. The process of sampling and adopting any of our online simulations is simple: 1. Call customer service at 1-8-545-7685 (1-617-783-76 outside the U.S. and Canada) and request educator trial access. 2. If you adopt the simulation, you will be given a specific link to give to your students. 3. Students access the simulation using the link you provide them. Each student can pay for individual use online via credit card, or your institution can pay for all students in a single payment.
Other Online Simulations Other Online Simulations from Harvard Business Publishing Strategic Innovation: Back Bay Battery Puts students in the role of product development managers, where they must balance financial goals with the need to innovate, capitalize on new opportunities, and guard against disruptive technologies all while evaluating decisions in the context of nebulous market information and financial performance criteria constraints. #2656 Pricing: Universal Rental Car Teaches pricing principles in a dynamic setting, as students play the role of a regional marketing manager responsible for pricing a fleet of rental cars across cities in Florida. Ideal for undergraduate and MBA courses in Marketing, Strategy, Microeconomics, and Operations Management. #293 Operations Management: Benihana Students are challenged to develop the most profitable overall restaurant strategy by improving throughput, optimizing bar and restaurant layouts, and reducing demand variability. Covers fundamentals in service and operations management. #2653 Finance: M&A in Wine Country Students play the role of CEO at one of three wine producers: Starshine, Bel Vino, or International Beverage. Each player evaluates merger and/or acquisition opportunities among the three companies and then determines reservation prices, values targets, and negotiates deal terms before deciding to accept or reject final offers. This simulation is ideal as a capstone experience in a first-year MBA Finance course and is also appropriate for courses in Mergers and Acquisitions, Valuation, Negotiation, General Management, and Strategy. #3289 Leadership and Team: Everest The dramatic setting of a Mount Everest expedition teaches group dynamics and leadership. Teammates must share information to maximize group achievement. This simulation is ideal for Organizational Behavior, Group Dynamics, and Leadership courses. #265 Finance: Blackstone/Celanese This simulation re-creates the landmark acquisition of Celanese AG by the Blackstone Group in 23. Students take on the role of either Celanese or Blackstone and conduct due diligence, establish deal terms, respond to bids and counterbids, and consider the interests of other stakeholders. This internationally based scenario uses euros as currency and is ideal for secondyear MBA courses in Private Equity, Valuation, Due Diligence, Deal Structuring, and Mergers and Acquisitions. #3712 Included with all simulations: Detailed Facilitator s Guide covering learning objectives, administrative features, and setup options Video assets Debrief-ready results in graphical form Teaching Note guidance for comprehensive debrief Educators registered on our web site receive free Educator Copies and Teaching Notes. APPLY NOW: educatoraccess.hbsp.harvard.edu Printed on recycled paper. Product #M14939 MC1541669 Customer service is available 8 am to 8 pm EST, Monday through Friday Phone: 1-8-545-7685 (1-617-783-76 outside the U.S. and Canada) Fax: 1-617-783-7666 Email: custserv@hbsp.harvard.edu Web: hbsp.harvard.edu Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School.
Supply Chain Simulation Root Beer Game for courses in: operations management supply chain management
The simulation dashboard provides a snapshot of information and navigation options. Supply Chain Management Simulation: Root Beer Game Approximate seat time: 6 minutes Product #311 STUDENT DASHBOARD Students prepare once (with how-to video, summary, and scenario-specific information); then each round of play requires players to analyze information and place orders. Supply Chain Management Root Beer Game dashboard overview prepare inventory and shipments analyze orders and backlog detail Ch Dashboard - Retailer (Week 3) Students can see visual representations of inventory status and changes over time. Wholesaler Product Received: Retailer Inventory: 1 Backlog: (post-shipment) Sh This dashboard overview shows the information available to one role, the retailer. Students can see only links on the chain that are directly before or after them. Last Order Placed: Ne Tot Students play one of 4 roles in a root beer supply chain: factory, distributor, wholesaler, or retailer. Week 1 2 Product Received Product Shipped Out Post-Shipment Inventory 1 1 Post-Shipment Backlog New Order Received 3 1 Students must keep inventory levels low, but stock-outs produce ly backlogs. log out Copy Data to Clipboard Developed in partnership with F Developed in partnership with Forio Business Simulations.
Single-player option available if desired. Shipments Orders Shipments Orders Shipments Orders Each chain is comprised of 4 roles in a supply chain. Depending on configuration, students have a limited view into other links in the supply chain. Factory Distributor Wholesaler Retailer ain 1 Objective of the game is to minimize across the supply chain. Inventory holding s are set at $.5 per case per week and stockout s are $1. per case per week. ipped Out: Customer w Order Received: al Needed: (includes backlog) Order Placed Cumulative Cost: $225, Week Cost 575, 575, Cumulative Cost $75, $1 How many cases would you like to order? decide Remember, it will take two weeks for the Wholesaler to receive your order, and two weeks for the order to be shipped. Shipments ordered before the start of the game are marked in the table in light gray. Students place orders each round (simulated week) in order to manage inventory. Depending on configuration, students must account for delays between placing and receiving root beer orders to avoid a supply line of unfilled orders. The game begins with untimed rounds but moves to shorter, timed rounds to increase pressure on decision-making, mimicking suboptimal real-world conditions. 575, $225, 3:59 remaining time 28 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. orio Business Simulations. For help, contact Harvard Business Publishing Customer Support.
Simple administration tools allow teams to play different supply chain configurations and compare results in class. ADMINISTRATION SCREENS Results are available immediately for post-play review and debrief. Supply Chain Management Root Beer Game class summary chain results Create a New Chain Configuration Select a Level of Detail Simple Game Configuration Advanced Game Configuration Enter a Scenario Name (not visible during game play) scenario setup Faculty can run multiple chain configurations within 1 class to accentuate the differences in resulting data and illuminate key learning points. Configure the Simulation Assumptions Shipping Delay One Week Information Delay One Week Point of Sale Information Not Visible What Chains Should This Scenario Apply To? Chains between and Two Weeks Two Weeks Visible Chains and below Chains and above Faculty can monitor student progress in real time and send a chat message to chains that are falling behind. Faculty can view a brief video covering administration tools. Save Configuration Cancel Faculty can choose from preset or customized chain configurations, such as shipping delays, information delays, and POS visibility. Auto-assign option for chains and roles eliminates the need for professors to assign roles manually. Supply Chain Management Root Beer Game class summary chain results monitor send class messages distribution by chain Total Cost by Chain scenario setup by configuration Faculty can view aggregate class results or detailed chain results. 11M Sort by chain Sort by score 88M 66M The simulation illustrates the main factors that contribute to the bullwhip effect in a supply chain. In post-play discussion, students learn techniques to control the bullwhip effect and the elements of effective forecasting. See Teaching Note for specific points to cover. 44M 22M 1 2 Chains Classic Beer Game Shortened Delays Chain Configuration Chain 1 Shortened Delays 3 Cost $33,35,