Sǝ'stemic - Systems Engineering Simulation Game

Initial situation and problem definition

The introduction of systems engineering (SE) in companies often fails due to unclear added value, resistance to change and a lack of implementation strategies. Teaching interdisciplinary problem-solving skills is also a challenge. The SYSTEMIC simulation game addresses these issues through a practical, playful learning environment. It allows "what-if" analyses, promotes collaborative thinking and combines theoretical knowledge with direct application. Participants playfully experience how SE methods work, receive direct feedback and develop a deeper understanding of complex socio-technical relationships - both in an industrial context and in education.

Project goals

SYSTEMIC aims to promote problem-oriented engagement with systems engineering and to increase learning motivation in training and practice through game dynamics and team competition. To this end, a hybrid game environment was developed that serves as a training and research platform in courses and industry workshops. From a scientific point of view, it is being investigated how interdependencies can be represented by a simulation model in such a way that influences, dependencies and interactions between processes, methods, tools and roles are depicted realistically and didactically effectively. The central challenge lies in modeling quantitative and rule-based interactions. The results provide insights into the modeling of socio-technical systems and the targeted design of development processes. From a didactic perspective, the focus is on the use of simulation games to promote problem-solving, cooperation and communication skills and to increase learning motivation.

Solution approach

The solution approach consists of developing a turn-based simulation game that depicts real interactions in systems engineering. The hybrid game environment developed comprises five game plans, 86 action cards, 126 preconditions and three key figures. To analyze model coherence, necessary prior knowledge and potential learning effects, established simulation game elements were evaluated and initial evaluations were carried out using questionnaires. The effectiveness of the simulation game in university education is currently being investigated.