Game-based Lean Production training of university students and industrial employees

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.