Project management simulation

Project Management Simulator is used in project management training programs. Flight simulators are used to train pilots. Similarly, project simulators are used to train project managers. Project management simulation is a group exercise. The computer-based simulation is an interactive learning activity.

During couple of hours at a time, a project management simulator confronts learners with the situations and problems that arise in every project. Learners see the consequences of the decisions they make. They can track the evolution of the project parameters: scope, costs, schedule, quality as well as human factors. The simulation provides an opportunity for learners to solve typical project problems, to make mistakes and analyze them. The mistakes will be avoided in the real work.

Pedagogic goals of project management simulation can be : to teach the learner how to plan resources in a project; to use project management tools; to control the progress of a project; to make team decisions under stress; to have the proper reactions in typical situations of project management.

There are different types of support: from paper materials to computer-based multimedia environment. Examples of project management simulators: Celemi, Clarrus, Fissure, ITMG2, PM Simulation, SimulTrain, SMG, SkillSoft, Synergest.