An Active Learning Exercise: Supplying Hoop Dreams

We describe a board game in which students assume the roles of supply chain enterprises and move game pieces (e.g. Legos, Velcro, etc.) that represent the parts of a basketball hoop. They then assemble these parts and form the final product and sell it to the customers. The game is the first of its kind to illustrate the concepts of shortage gaming, synchronization of the flow of parts, demand uncertainty and its impact on location selection, competition and cooperation, and customer service. Students playing this game build skills in both decision-making and the execution of operations plans. The game also provides professionals an opportunity to visualize the new role of the operations function, and thus prepares them for the needs of today’s supply chain management principles.