Evaluating business simulation software: approach, tools and pedagogy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify a business simulation appropriate for MEng Engineering students. The selection was based on the following factors; exploring methods for evaluating potential software and enhancing the learner experience.Design/methodology/approach – An interdisciplinary project team was formed to try and resolve the pedagogic, technical and business aspects that would need to be addressed in order to implement such software within the programme. Tools included a questionnaire to assess the potential enhancement of employability skills and a usability questionnaire on ease of use. These were supplemented with discourse on technical and pedagogic issues.Findings – After the initial scoping study, the findings indicated that two business simulation software packages had potential. These were “Marketplace – Venture Strategy” and “SimVenture”. Marketplace proved to be the most suitable in terms of the pedagogic and technical requirements.Research limitations/implications – Th...