Business Simulations

A business simulation game is a form of experiential learning, or learning-by-doing. People learn, in a number of game rounds, to translate theory into practice. They learn how to use the theory to achieve measurable results. Does this mean that they need to have attended a training course first? No, not at all.  By attending a business simulation with no preconceptions of the theory of “how to do it”, people learn as much as those who have attended training.  Sometimes more.  Are business simulation games only for IT? Again, no. Business simulation workshops like The Phoenix Project, allow those from the wider business to experience what IT experiences and learn how to build a closer working relationship with IT in a “safe” environment where everyone can try and fail, or try and succeed, without a business impact.

The Phoenix Project

A DevOps business simulation by Gaming Works  This simulation is delivered by our esteemed partner James Gander of Gander Service Management.

  • Learn more about DevOps
  • Learn more about the practical implementation of DevOps
  • Learn how to develop collaboration within your teams
  • Learn more about how to increase business value

The Challenge

Business is demanding ever shorter release cycles for new applications. Traditionally ‘Operations’ is seen as a barrier with lengthy bureaucratic controls and delays in provisioning production systems. DevOps is a growing movement for shortening development and deployment and integrating Development and Operations. However this requires a mindset shift, new behaviours and a cultural shift in both Development and Operations. Traditionally suspicious of each other, they must now work closely together. Yet many companies are struggling to adopt and deploy DevOps and how to change the culture.

Why is this?

  • DevOps is not that difficult to understand, but it has a huge impact on the way people need to behave.
  • DevOps is often seen as a technology solution – automated coding, deployment, testing.
  • DevOps is not a framework or method. It is an approach, a philosophy based on principles.

And that is why you need “The Phoenix Project” simulation game!

The simulation game is based upon ‘The Phoenix Project’ Book. The fictitious organisation, Parts Unlimited is in  trouble. Newspaper reports reveal the poor financial performance of the organisation. The only way forward to not only save the coBookCovermpany but to make it competitive and profitable is “The Phoenix Project” which represents an IT enabled business transformation, with Retail Operations as the business owner of this project. The Head of IT Operations is asked to take the lead of the IT department and ensure that “The Phoenix Project” will be a success. But the Head of IT Operations is facing a tremendous amount of work. A huge backlogs of issues, features and projects.

Your team will act in different roles within the Parts Unlimited organisation. You can be Retail Operations, Human Resources or Finance – playing the Business roles of the company. Or you can be the Head of IT Operations or other members from his IT Team that needs to develop the applications and solve the IT Issues.

Your challenge is to use the DevOps principles and apply them in this serious Business Simulation. In three rounds you will work on the IT projects and IT issues and ensure that “The Phoenix Project” will be finished on time. But, beware, the business keeps coming with new ideas and demands and external developments outside your control can also throw a spanner in the works.

Objectives 

The simulation will be customised towards your own specific needs and learning objectives. But in general these are the main objectives:

  • How to apply DevOps principles in a real life situation?
  • How to find the right balance between delivering your SLA requirements and your IT projects according to plan?
  • How to experience how DevOps can bring serious value to your business?
  • How to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of your IT Department?
  • How to create better flow in your teams?
  • How to develop people’s skills to act in a DevOps environment?
  • How to show business their responsibilities in making IT Projects more successful?

Duration: 1 day

Participants: 8-12

Prerequisites: None

More information: Brochure

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