Forio's Forum

by William Horton

Horton focuses on the design of web-based training programs. There is a wealth of information on making training materials accessible to a global audience. Horton provides insights into issues including cultural differences, using e-learning with an audience of nonnative speakers, and technological constraints.

Horton makes the point that traditional classroom training is provided under optimum conditions for teaching. Learners are typically away from home so they aren’t easily distracted and the facilities are designed for training. Often in e-learning, learners are training from home or while on-the-road with no technical support, many distractions, and possibly inadequate technology. He provides several solutions to overcoming these and other obstacles.

Near the end of the book there is a chapter that briefly discusses simulation. This chapter is relatively weak, but there is a lot here of value if, whenever you encounter the word “course” you substitute “web-based simulation”.

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by Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister

Software development is a big part of Forio’s e-learning simulations. DeMarco and Lister explain why the major issues of software development are human, not technical. The authors have original and insightful ideas on on time estimation of software projects, space requirements for programmers, why a quiet and private workspace is essential to efficient programming. They also have excellent ideas on how to hire great programmers.

We want to make Forio great place to work and the implementation of many of the ideas in Peopleware is part of what we believe we need to do in order to be successful.

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by John Sterman

John Sterman, who directs the system dynamics program at MIT, is one of the leading thinkers in the field of system dynamics (system dynamics is the simulation methodology used in many training simulations). Business Dynamics is a textbook, but it can be used independently as self-study of system dynamics.

The book teaches the foundations of system dynamics including causal loop diagramming, how stocks and flows work, and how they apply to computer modeling. Sterman gives dozens of model examples using real-world applications that the reader can create from the book.

Business Dynamics, published in 2000, is used as a textbook for classes on system dynamics at MIT.

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by Michael Schrage

Through many intriguing examples, Serious Play shows how simulation can accelerate and improve decision-making. The book explains how simulation can be a critical tool for strategic planning. Schrage frames simulation as an inclusive, primary business activity, instead of something exclusive, performed by experts in a back office.

Schrage recognizes the spreadsheet as a simulation tool. In discussions on simulation, spreadsheets are usually ignored because they are seen as unsophisticated. Schrage shows how spreadsheet simulations made many of the financial innovations of the 80s and early 90s possible.

In addition to convincing readers that simulations are valuable, Schrage does a good job of introducing readers to how simulations can be implemented in business. The chapters near the end of the book on measuring the ROI of simulations and his brief user’s guide provide some useful tools for those interested in using simulations and prototypes to improve decision-making.

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