Extending the Production Dice Game
Lambrecht, Marc Creemers, Stefan Boute, Robert Leus, Roel
Lambrecht, Marc
Creemers, Stefan
Boute, Robert
Leus, Roel
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Publication Type
Journal article with impact factor
Editor
Supervisor
Publication Year
2012
Journal
International Journal of Operations and Production Management
Book
Publication Volume
32
Publication Issue
12
Publication Begin page
1460
Publication End page
1472
Publication NUmber of pages
Collections
Abstract
The production dice game is a powerful learning exercise focusing on the impact of variability and dependency on throughput and work‐in‐process inventory of flow lines. This paper seeks to extend the basic dice game along the following lines. First, it will allow operations to take place concurrently as opposed to sequentially, which works better in a classroom setting. Second, it will allow both starvation and blocking of the line. Third, it will consider balanced lines with workstations characterized by different degrees of variability. Finally, it aims to use different sets of dice in order to represent a wide range of variation coefficients of the production line. The obtained insights can be extended to a supply chain context as well. The developed game can be played on‐line and the software is freely downloadable. Design/methodology/approach The paper extends the dice game and offers an easy‐to‐use simulation tool. Findings The key aspect of students' learning experience is the understanding of the relationship between variability and throughput in an environment with dependent workstations and limited buffers. Originality/value A rather complicated research question is transformed into an easy‐to‐use simulation tool that in no time can be used by practitioners and students.
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Keywords
Operations Management