Simulation Game

Strategic Innovation Game (SIG) was developed by SBERTC-IIT Kanpur in close association with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), New York, USA in response to training new entrepreneurs in a non-conventional way, utilizing funds from SBERTC. We obtained spectacular results from these workshops conducted across India and also at RPI, USA and we plan to use it for future training workshops in India. SIG has been developed as an experimental delivery mechanism to train entrepreneurs in a simulated virtual environment to overcome the age old adage ‘entrepreneurship cannot be taught’ and is the first of its kind and experimental results have been highly encouraging in terms of its very high impact value as a training tool. Based on the above, a few more modules are currently under development to make the tool more comprehensive and address a much larger audience.

Strategic Innovation Game (SIG) workshops were conducted in two phases across various colleges in India and abroad. SIG is a simulation based software that allows participants to form virtual companies and run them just like running normal companies by making appropriate operational decisions like Production and Production Efficiency, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Sales, Reports and Stock market. The teams play in different economy settings that allow to model real life situations thus allowing participants to learn impact of their decisions realistically; but in a virtual setting. The participants in the form of teams run their companies in rounds; each of the five 45 minutes rounds are frilled with 15 minutes of lectures on various facets of entrepreneurship and technology innovation.

This software has been developed in collaboration with the Smart Systems and Operations Lab (SSOL) of IIT Kanpur, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), USA, and SBERTC-IIT Kanpur. Research scholars from RPI (Dr. Lois Peters, Dr. William Tracy, and Dr. Dimitri Markovich) as well as IIT Kanpur (Dr. B V Phani, and Dr. Deepu Philip) conducted relevant lectures during the game interludes. All participants were given merit certificates and the top three teams were given cash prizes recognizing their first, second, and third positions. Apart from this, lucky draw prizes were given on the spot.

The data collected during this workshop has been used to develop various insights into cultural influence on entrepreneurial decision-making. Strategic Innovation Game (SIG) workshops were organized in several phases.

The second and a newer version of the simulation game software has been developed in collaboration with the Smart Systems and Operations Lab (SSOL) at IIT Kanpur, SBERTC-IIT Kanpur and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), USA.

Under the aegis of SBERTC, the new Simulation Game have been successfully conducted across different eminent colleges of India. The simulation game is specially designed to reflect the business challenges an entrepreneur faces during running of the business. It includes modules on finance, sales, marketing, production, pricing, logistics, government relations, capacity planning, product research and reports. The game was conducted in IIT Kanpur, IIM Lucknow, IMI Delhi, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute USA, Vanguard Business School, Bangalore & Symbiosis CMHRD. Special sessions were conducted for intermediate students along with TiE UP.

NEN, Bangalore is also using it for its entrepreneurial education activities across several colleges in India. Also, the new software is being tested in various colleges across the globe for its thorough applicability.

This year, we plan to conduct these games in more colleges across a wider global reach. The useful data on entrepreneurial behavior collected through these games would be utilized for further research and generating useful insights. This would be used to not only enhance the game but also provide better understanding of entrepreneurial situations and behavioral patterns. Several enhancements to the game are already being done.

Entrepreneurship is a subject that can be best taught through live experience. The Simulation game enables generating this live experience of several years and across several domains within a short span of time. The game has garnered very positive feedback from participants and holds the promise of making entrepreneurship education very effective.