A board game which involves planning the throughput of a small factory. The exercise demonstrates how effective planning can enable one to make better decisions and thus improve the organisations financial performance. The exercise is designed for groups of 1- 4 members and comes complete with enough materials for six groups. It needs between one and two hours.

OBJECTIVE
To assist all those whose success is dependent on the combination and processing of resources. The exercise will:

• reduce errors of judgment that result from only considering immediate problems and not looking ahead;
• make participants more accurate in their planning and better able to cope with emergencies;
• demonstrate the effect of good planning on financial results

HOW IT WORKS
The tutor introduces the exercise and gives each team a playing board. The boards carry a diagram of a factory, showing the starting position for bought-in supplies, two types of prepared components, and a single stock of finished goods. Between these stations are work processes which prepare the components or assemble them. Goods move through the factory - one stage at each decision point - the exact number being determined by the intentions of the players, the availability of stock, and a chance element that simulates real life variations. In each round the teams make their operating decisions, the tutor reveals the actual sales and delivery performance figures, the teams mark up their boards to show the new state existing at each work station, work out the cost of purchases and production and compare this with revenue won from sales of finished goods. The cycle is then repeated with the team making new decisions to reflect past events. While using a factory background, the exercise is relevant to any situation requiring the combination and processing of resources. Players gain an understanding of what is happening in the business as a whole rather than what is happening at a single stage.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DOING
Studying a written text; making decisions in writing; throwing dice in accordance with the decisions and showing the outcome on a display board.

FOR WHAT LEVELS IS IT APPROPRIATE?
All those whose role includes some responsibility for planning.

INCLUDED
Tutor manual; Playing boards; Post exercise discussion questionnaire and all supporting documentation.

COST
£230 plus Vat and delivery.