The desired dynamics of selected lean tools and framework for effective design of lean simulation games

In recent years, hands-on lean simulation games have been introduced as an effective educational tool. Among them, role-playing simulation games in face-to-face classroom setting are capable of demonstrating effects of lean tools at system's level. Many newly developed games with different lean tools and different settings have been reported in literature. However, literature reveals that there are some limitations (such as ineffective design of the game, fixed number of players, time constraints) that resists the expected outcomes of lean simulation games. Moreover, dynamics of the simulated system was also less discussed in the literature. Without analyzing the system's behavior in advance, simulation games developed by trials might not be able to show the impacts of lean tools effectively or timely, and thus the trainees may not learn the concept in limited amount of time. This thesis investigates the design aspects affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of simulation games. The analysis of design aspects is followed by a framework to guide the effort of development of new designs or evaluation of current game designs. Furthermore, the framework proposed above was demonstrated on selected lean tools and their dynamics of the performance metrics was illustrated. Dynamics of the system actually helps in determining if a lean tool can be demonstrated within a reasonable timeframe or amount of effort. Eventually, this research will support lean educators to develop more effective and efficient hands-on activities for teaching process improvement concepts in the future.