۱- Introduction

۲- Game-based Lean education and training

۳- Simulators for game-based Lean education and training

۴- Experiences from game-based training of students and industrial workers

۵- Suggested directions for developing lean education as a research discipline

References

Abstract

Production simulation games are increasingly popular for training students and industrial employees in Lean Production principles. They range from paper- or desktop-based games to full scale simulators and proper manufacturing machinery. This paper reports on experiences from using both desktop games and a full scale simulator. Desktop games are suitable when training people who already have a fair understanding of lean principles. Shop floor workers usually have difficulties in seeing analogies between desktop games and their work environment. For both students and industrial workers, training effects and immersion tend to be higher when using full scale simulators.

Conclusions

In game-based Lean Production training, it is important to use a training environment that is suitable both for the intended purpose of the training and for the participant group. Simulators must exhibit behavior that is perceived as “natural”. Full-scale simulators have the advantage that they are similar enough to a real work environment to stimulate engagement of the participants whilst still being flexible enough to represent different work environments. In particular industrial workers can benefit from this as they can relate to their work environment. Measurement of Lean Production training effects has been identified as a topic for future work, in particular assessment of training effects on groups or organizations rather than on individuals. Current methods/tools are subjective and not uniform, hence it is proposed that they should be developed by the Lean Educators community as a whole.