Simulation Games in Quantitative Logistics

Abstract: The Institution of Technology and Science has for several years requested a simulation model in order to promote the KTS-department for potential students, scientists and entrepreneurs. This has resulted in a Master Thesis which consists of two parts. Part one is designed for the potential students and part two for the scientists. For the students the LogiFuel-game will be presented, which is designed in a way that students can recognize and relate to an everyday logistician problem. At the end of the simulation run the player will be evaluated based on the Wagner-algorithm. Even though the player has made the right decisions during the game, he/she will be encouraged to find another optimal solution. In part two which is named SCTemplate, the scientists will be introduced to find a robust optimum in a supply chain. In order to find a robust optimum they are able to align several predetermined parameters’. The report describes all of the underlying theories after which the report is divided into two parts. Each part gives the reader an overview of the user interface and model, and is ended with a presentation of the results from the applied methods and/or test runs depending on part. A discussion is conducted about each part in the end of the report and conclusions are drawn. The discussions are at first general but (and then) aimed towards the issues stated at the beginning of the report. In order to keep a wider discussion there is also a part with answers and questions. For the laboration a model and a user interface have been created which are capable to demonstrate that an optimum does not need to be robust. This is depicted in graphs showing the systems profit and variance. Thenceforth the Wagner-Whitinalgorithm is implemented in the game in order to evaluate the player´s acting towards an optimal plan. Furthermore the environmental concept has been incorporated by allowing the player to see hers/his generated emissions.