Design Paradigms for my Business Simulations

This and the following web pages describe our design methods, simulator architecture and the way I engineer our simulations to deliver effective, efficient and consistent learning.

An approach that is summarised by my design architectonic (shown in our motif below).

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Motif of our design approach with effective, efficient and consistent learning central to our design and linking this to client needs are four main design aspects.

The motif summarises my design approach. It shows a design focus on the core needs of effective, efficient, and consistent learning.

Design decided by the outer ring of management development needs, compact duration, target users and manner of use.

Linking and binding the two are the elements of my designs - learning focus, a tutoring support system, lean design to minimise costs and maximise value and the management of the dynamics of the learning process .

This and the following pages describe my:

DESIGN STYLE - the artistic aspects of design
DESIGN FOCUS - effective, efficient and consistent learning.
DESIGN PREREQUISITES - what you may need
DESIGN STRUCTURE - beyond the simulation model
LEAN DESIGN AND USE - applying lean principles
TUTORING SUPPORT - helping answer questions and managing learning
SYSTEM DYNAMICS - how the design takes into account learning process
SOFTWARE ASPECTS - my award winning software platform
PUBLISHED RESEARCH - ongoing research that ensures quality

DESIGN STYLE

This explores how business simulations are positioned artistically in a three dimensional space consisting of realism, engagement and learning. It discussed the balance between these and how there three simulation movements - Hunter-Gatherer, Serious Games and Corporate Cartooning!

DESIGN FOCUS

This explores the central focus of my business simulation designs on business learning effectiveness, efficiency and consistency.

DESIGN PREREQUISITES

This explores the key business learning development needs, durations needs, ways in which they can be used and the target users I design for. (The outer ring of the design motif.)

DESIGN STRUCTURE

Structural design beyond just designing a "realistic" model to take into account the need for abstraction (simplification and stylisation), interactions (decisions and results), how the simulation progresses period-to-period and the relationships between the simulation model, decisions and results.

LEAN DESIGN AND USE

This explains where I have identified waste caused by the choosing the wrong business simulation, during use and design.

TUTORING SUPPORT

This describes key tutoring tasks (administration, facilitation and learning management) and the, unique, facilities offered (decision screening, explanations, qualitative comments, tutor's audit, team commentaries and hypertext help) by my simulations.

SYSTEM DYNAMICS

First, this explores the feedback structure built into my simulators and then discusses the dynamics of the simulation process in terms of work load, cognition (understanding) and affection (feelings). Finally, how my simulations manage these dynamics through economic calibration, ramped complexity and tutor intervention is explained.

SOFTWARE ASPECTS

This explains my software types (tutor mediated and direct use) and design approach (standard shells, data centred, object oriented). An approach that minimises development costs, simplifies modification and assures quality. A software platform that won a major London, UK Innovation award.

PUBLISHED RESEARCH

This lists,abstracts shares some recent research papers and conference presentations that focus on business simulation design and use.

Most recent update: 17/04/12
Hall Marketing, Studio 11, Colman's Wharf, 45 Morris Road, London E14 6PA, ENGLAND
Phone +44 (0)20 7537 2982 E-mail jeremyhall@simulations.co.uk