¹University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

Correspondence: D-J van der Zee, Faculty of Economics & Business, Production Systems Design Group, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 800, Groningen 9700 AV, The Netherlands. E-mail: d.j.van.der.zee@rug.nl

Received 18 July 2006; Accepted March 2008.

Abstract

Traditionally, discrete event simulation is associated with system analysis due to its role as an operations research method. In this article, we consider a case study on the alternative use of simulation for training industrial workers in new working procedures. Essentially, training games are based on players learning from model responses to their decision-making. When stressing the role of the decision maker instead of operations—as in operations research—alternative demands on model set up and use arise. Identifying such demands and ways to deal with them helps to exploit existing simulation knowledge and tools for company training and engineering education. The case study deals with a manual assembly line for mail-inserting systems for which a simulation game for worker training was developed. Insights obtained are concerned with the inclusion of player decision-making in conceptual modelling, its implementation using a commercially available simulation tool, and the set up of valid game plots.