Push v. Pull

This simulation provides a clear, practical demonstration of core Operations Management principles and reinforces key concepts typically introduced through cases and readings. In this single-player experience, learners engage with two foundational production-triggering mechanisms—Push and Pull—within a computer manufacturing supply chain serving a retail partner.

The experience introduces learners to the movement of work through a complex, multi-stage production process, helping them build intuition for how flow is shaped by bottlenecks and the signals that trigger production. Participants will compare the behaviors of Push, Pull, and hybrid systems in action, seeing how each approach influences responsiveness, inventory levels, and overall efficiency. They will also investigate how batch size and setup time interact within these systems, revealing the trade-offs that drive real-world production decisions.