Learning from Preparing a Simulation

Learning from Preparing a Simulation

When developing custom simulations, I always notice that the greatest learning moment for the organization is often in the preliminary phase. Small businesses in particular have difficulty describing their processes. It takes a lot of effort to get the data required for a simulation.
To simulate an existing company you need a model consisting of business parameters and the relationships between them (in simulation terms: variables and calculation rules). That is why a simulation process starts with making an inventory of those processes together, naming the important parameters and assigning numbers to them. This is an educational event: by playing with the model you discover many hidden relationships.
When carrying out the simulation, you are actually transferring these insights to the participants. In this way you ensure convergence, you increase mutual understanding and awareness for each other's activities.
A business simulation is a lot more than a training with some tricks to optimize the profit.
(Translated by 12manage).