You probably know that Lean simply means the idea that services ‘flow’ as smoothly as possible from source to destination by eliminating waste in the value stream and by managing bottlenecks.

Lean has a rich pedigree of simulations to enhance learning. Many are available at the lean simulation site and some for free. These are played by groups or teams and the experience is an excellent way to learn about the Lean principles, the definition of customer value and the seven wastes. In over 20 years as a consultant, and having been involved in many lean simulations, it is very clear that people gain deep experiential knowledge, as well as better transfer retention of Lean/Agile principles, when they play such simulations. 

The Virtual Lean/Agile Simulation offers realistic, versatile and comprehensive training in Lean principles to transform your approach to productivity, quality, customer satisfaction and employee stress.

As Lean thinking has matured there has been a host of ‘room based’ simulations in the marketplace, some of which are basic (e.g. The 5S numbers game) to some which are a bit more complicated (e.g. The Plug Game). Many of these have been discussed on Lean.   Some games have focused on specific industries. Kinetik even have our own version of the lean service game. During the lockdown, with Covid-19 in mind and the need for virtual learning, we created a full virtual lean/agile service game that can be played collaboratively across different domains, locations and countries.

The Virtual Lean/Agile Simulation offers realistic, versatile and comprehensive training in Lean principles to transform your approach to productivity, quality, customer satisfaction and employee stress. The game is based on a fictitious Insurance company that trades internationally. The game helps to grasp the relationship between customer value, demand, time to carry out process steps and the amount of resources needed. 

The simulation does what many Lean simulations do which is to help organisations to understand lean/agile methods for bottom-line benefits including revenue enhancement, productivity, space utilization and quality outcomes.

The benefits to an organisation from the virtual simulation:

First and foremost the simulation will give your team a full understanding of what customer experience and value really feel like for an ‘end to end’ process. You will utilise digitalisation and cloud tools to help improve flow including improving lead times and cycle times. Every participant will get an understanding of an agile and flow mindset. The game also covers aspects of compliance and security within the process and how these can be achieved without damaging flow. The simulation shows visual data on core measures   to represent the effectiveness of the process as improvements are carried out.

Designed for collaboration

Our virtual simulation provides standard tools/platforms that can be reused for your actual process improvement at no additional cost.

Is complex enough to be realistic

Is fun and engaging for all participants

Is fully virtual allowing your teams to be based across time zones and locations.

• Taps into employees’ creative potential for improvement.

Expert facilitation of the whole experience

The simulation is fully facilitated by us to meet your organisation’s learning and development. We normally run the simulation over three rounds. After each round participants work in a collaborative way using Lean /Agile Thinking to improve the process. At the end of each round measurements are reviewed to reveal underlying process opportunities.

Ketan Varia 

1. More about the Virtual Lean Simulation

2. More about kinetik solutions. We help organisations with change.