April 19, 2023

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENTRoot Beer Game V2

Andrew Christensen and Heide Abelli

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Supply Chain Management: Root Beer Game V2

Based on: The Classic Beer Game

by Jay Forrester at MIT

Multi-player Simulation with 4 roles

• Factory, Distributor, Wholesaler, Retailer

• Single-player option: Retailer only

Seat Time: 60 minutes plus time to debrief

Used in 1st Year Required Operations Management

course at Harvard Business School

Academic Price = $12.50 / Exec Ed = $37.50

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Learning Objectives: Root Beer Game V2

Understand the “Bullwhip” effect

Understand demand forecasting,

required lead times, and the effects of batch ordering

Explore techniques for controlling the Bullwhip effect

Reduce uncertainty and demand variability

Understand the role of centralized information

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New in V2

Student interface and animation

• Better notifications of missing chain members

Administrative Changes

• New graph: Compare Roles

• All players can be single player

• Debrief slides with class data

• Works on an iPad

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Setting the Stage

Students play one of 4 roles

Factory Distributor Wholesaler Retailer

OrdersOrders

Cases ShippedCases Shipped

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Famous Bullwhips

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The Bullwhip Effect

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The Bullwhip EffectO

rder

Qu

anti

ties

Time

Retailer

Wholesaler

Distributor

Factory

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How to Play

10

Ready to Play

1. Go to: hbsp.harvard.edu

2. User name =

First initial + Last name @ hbpsales.com

3. Password = simulation

Example:

achristensen@hbpsales.com