The Three P s of Sim Development ROI: Prototype, Prototype, and Prototype

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The Three P s of Sim

Development ROI:

Prototype, Prototype,

and Prototype

Nathan Kracklauer

Director of Content Development, Enspire Learning

Shon Bayer

The Three P's of Simulation Development ROI:

Prototype, Prototype, and Prototype

Shon Bayer Vice President – Products Nathan Kracklauer Director of Product Development

Session Agenda

Today we’ll talk about:

• Horror stories from the trenches

• How to develop a prototyping strategy

• Who to get involved in prototyping

• Hands‐On examples of prototypes

We won’t talk about:

• Prototyping software simulations

• ROI Analysis

Simulation Types and Development Costs Simulation Type 2D Game (10‐15 min) Team‐Based Business Simulation (1 day) Customized Board Game (4‐8 hours) Branching Simulation (30 min ‐1 hour) Spreadsheet Simulation (1‐ 2 hours) Average Price 1. $75K‐$125K 2. $50K‐$100K+ 3. $250K‐$500K+ 4. $100K‐$250K 5. $20K‐$40K

Executive Challenge: Case Example

• Executive Challenge™‐

Leadership Development Simulation

• Team‐based, multiplayer simulation

• Used by organization

such as Bank of America, Alltel, Pitney Bowes, and MIT – Sloan

Lessons Learned

• Think about the “experience” early

–Team size 22?

• Be prepared for emergent features

–Ethics ÆLeadership

• Don’t develop in the echo chamber

–Put the sim in front of “real” users soon and often

• Don’t lose focus on low‐priority features

• Throw out the design document

A Different Way to Develop Simulations

Tools to Prototype With

• Choose an approach that aligns with the goals of the simulation, development team skill sets, and resource needs

• There is no “right” approach:

– Thought Experiments – Paper Based Prototypes – Excel Based

– Iterative Computer Based – Hybrid Approach – Rapid Development Tool

Hands on Prototyping Examples

Executive Challenge Finance Leader Simulation

The Two Key Ingredients

• The right prototype

• The right audience

What to Test and When

Game mechanics Data entry Realism Balancing User Interface Motivational strategies

Alignment with learning objectives Fun How to Learn the Simulation

Pacing, Rhythm

Facilitation

Single player versus multiplayer

Difficulty

Paper versus computer-based Prototype Stage

Early •Fundamental Game Design (Single player vs. multiplayer, paper vs. computer based)

•User interface

•Motivational strategies

•Game mechanics

•How to learn the simulation Middle •Alignment with learning objectives

•Pacing and rhythm

•Facilitation •Fun •Realism Late •Balancing •Difficulty •Program Integration

What a Playtest Might Look Like

15 minutes Context and Vision Setting

15 minutes Articulate Learning Objectives 30 minutes Communicating Rules 15 minutes Communicating Rules 2 hours Play 1 hour Play

30 min Debrief Experience 30 minutes “Real” Debrief 1 hour Brainstorm New Ideas

+ Consensus on next steps

1 hour Play 1 hour Debrief Experience

The Right Audience

Early (Concept) •Designers (Visual and Instructional)

•Gamers

•Subject Matter Experts

•Sponsors

Middle (Details) •Subject Matter Experts

•Stakeholders

•End Users Late (Polish) •Quality Assurance

•Expert Players

•End Users

Other Best Practices

• Have specific objectives for each prototype, but embrace uncertainty

• Always keep the goals of the simulation (learning objectives, experience) at front and center

• Be clear in communications as “reality” changes

About Enspire Learning

►Enspire delivers exceptional simulation experiences that help our clients address strategic learning challenges

►Our Austin‐based team of 60+ learning professionals provides best practices in design, development, and delivery of e‐learning, simulations, and blended learning

►Our award‐winning solutionshave delivered value to some of the most demanding and prestigious organizations around the world

“The Enspire team who worked with me from the initial point of contact through implementation was exceptionally professional, friendly, helpful and detail-oriented. The simulation itself was a big success.”

-Dr. Corrine Bendersky, Professor of Management, UCLA Anderson School of Management

Questions?