New results using project management simulation game

Abstract

The paper describes recent results from using a simulation game for training project managers. The uniqueness of this study is that it focuses on the real world problem of “playing out” the execution phase of a project, rather than the planning phase. Moreover, it better introduces the study of project management areas to students. The study is using a simulation that provides the “players” with the realistic events of individual project scenarios in order to enhance their decision-making skills. The simulation system concentrates on possible risk events that occur during a project's execution phase, the challenges facing the project managers and the evaluation of their decisions. The game is designed for several teams competing among themselves. One hundred and twenty four undergraduate students participated in this test while they studied advanced project management course. In the current paper, we present the statistical analysis, results and conclusions about the contribution of simulation game to study project management.