Application of Serious Game Model on Simulation Training for Decision Makings of Project Management

Abstract

This study develops a novel serious game foster decision making skills in project management based on role playing. It provides features such as accident event handling, resource allocation, selections of subcontractors, procurement and stock management, adjustment of project scheduling, and performance evaluations to be exercised by user online. In doing so, users can strengthen their project skills by managing a virtual project. Importantly, the proposed game provides users with virtual experiences to implement management and control tasks of a construction project, which is often difficult to offer in conventional training. The proposed system is an online game developed by using advanced web development tools with integrations of MySQL for project data management and MS project for project schedule update on the server side. Users are presented with a virtual project in dynamic scene image depicting a construction site, which changes as the game progresses. There are also images present various construction events. During game play, users can function as a project manager whom is responsible for making various decisions involving accident handling and resource allocation as the virtual construction project progresses. Results of the decisions made are obtained by real-time simulation based on project data, then are visually and interactively replied to the users to understand the subsequent effects of their actions. In this training mode, decision-based simulation can provide realistic and reliable consequences of their decisions. The virtual reality feature of this computer game offers an economic and viable alternative to actual project management experiences.