Supply Chain Management Simulation

Simulation Overview

Based on the classic Beer Game developed by Jay Forrester at MIT, this team-based simulation portrays a supply chain with four links: factory, distributor, wholesaler, or retailer. Each player manages one link in the chain. At each stage of the distribution process, participants face order processing challenges and shipping lags as well as central stock management problems.

The Story

Working in teams of four, the learners manage a Root Beer supply chain for up to thirty-five simulated weeks. Each week, the participants examine inventory, anticipate demand, and send orders to the adjacent connection in the supply chain. The participants work together to minimize inventory holding costs while avoiding inventory shortages.

Learning Focus

• Develop intuition for the bullwhip effect, and explore techniques for controlling it
• Experiment with demand forecasting, lead times, and batch ordering
• Understand the importance of visibility and communication in the supply chain

Topics Covered

• Supply Chain
• Order to Delivery Time
• Inventory Management
• Value Chain Management

See How the Simulation is Played

This simulation is WCAG Compliant for the participants.

Each simulation comes with a Teaching Guidebook for the facilitator along with 1:1 facilitator training and free trials.

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This simulation is by Harvard Business School Publishing and Forio