The power of simulation
Insights

The power of simulation

Use of various forms of simulation can help to make training personalised to individual roles, and can recreate real working scenarios in a safe, virtual format. Walmart makes good use 360-degree video-based virtual reality to enhance store and management training, taking technology that was used for athletic programs and adapting it to involve human interactions.

Real-life face-to-face supplier meetings are not the place to “practise” the skill of influencing suppliers. Therefore, scenarios like supplier negotiation or a visit to a supplier factory work well in a simulated classroom environment.

The simulation involves pre-classroom eLearning to understand the tools and concepts, followed by a role-play based class event.

The training includes a mixture of visual prompts, role play and data analysis. Simulation is a safe test environment to try different behaviours and analysis activities and have a chance to reflect afterwards about which worked best.

Why does simulation work?

  • It is “safe” – a chance to experiment with behavioural change without disturbing supplier relationships.
  • It is challenging – using third parties to role play different scenarios takes learners out of their comfort zone.
  • It is familiar – the concepts are like the learners’ daily activity, so they can easily apply the ways of working and behaviors they would normally.
  • It uses “on the job” scenarios – the most effective learning is experimental. Using the 70:20:10 model, 70% of learning should be on the job and just 10% is formal. This style of learning brings real work examples that have been customised to fit a classroom event.
  • It is low cost – individual coaching and mentoring is an expensive solution to promote behavioural change. Simulation uses eLearning to prepare the leaner for a group event in the classroom environment. These all have a low cost per learners.

Simulation is a valuable addition to a Procurement Academy. A blend of self-directed learning and instructor-led learning is an efficient approach to achieve world class procurement practice.