Process management becomes tangible

As Albert Schweitzer already knew, “the most important skill of a teacher is to awaken a joy in creating and discovering.” With the help of the GRID process management simulation, this was precisely what was achieved during a week-long workshop organized by the Career Services office at St. Marienthal Abbey in Ostritz. First, the Career Service staff familiarized themselves with the simulation game with the support of its developer, Eric Treske, and were then able to immediately pass on their knowledge on the second day of the workshop as trainers or facilitators to students in the “integrated management systems” and “integrated management” degree programmes.

Mr. Treske provided a brief overview of the necessary materials and the basic rules, and then the game could begin. The game involves maintaining and managing a local infrastructure. This would be a challenge in itself if it weren’t for the disruptions that occur…

The group can also choose for itself what type of infrastructure to focus on. Do they want to deal with gas, water, or power lines, or would they rather plan a road, subway, or train network? This decision alone reveals whose idea prevails and how communication within the game team functions. In addition, the group must determine who will take on a leadership role, who will serve as the team leader, and who will sit directly at the game board to carry out the tasks. It is important to effectively manage, calculate, and ultimately implement the processes related to the upcoming maintenance work. This brings process management to life.

The workshop was rounded out by engaging team-building activities with both groups, which focused on the topic of project management. In the practical session, a multi-course meal was then prepared for all participants in the conference center’s event kitchen, complete with appropriate time, resource, and workflow planning.

A particular challenge for the students was the participation of an Erasmus student from the State University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO)—a partner university of the two degree programmes in St. Petersburg—who has no knowledge of German yet. But even with this, there was no shortage of fun.

If you’d like to experience project and process management for yourself through this simulation game, you’ll have the opportunity to do so starting in the 2017–18 winter semester. We’d be delighted to have you participate.

Author: Maike Schiller

You can find the Career Services’ complete program and further information here.