From Oregon Trail to Minecraft: How Gaming is Shaping the Future of Supply Chain

Last night, I pulled off my VR headset, and I was struck by the fact that gaming is much easier today than it was when I was a kid.

Let me clarify.

Getting games, consoles, and platforms is so much easier. Of course, game theory, scenarios, controllers, and pretty much everything has gotten so much more complex than when I was playing Oregon Trail on my best friend’s Apple II back in 1979. And so has the underlying supply chain.

Back in the day (yes, I say that), finding a new game was like an open-world adventure. You'd have to scour the local electronics store, hoping they had the latest release – or any games at all - (yes, in the dark ages before GameStop.) Now, with the rise of digital distribution platforms like Steam and gaming console platform stores, the games you want are just a few clicks away. You can download them instantly, often at a fraction of the cost of hard copies. It's a world of difference. Looking at both worlds – then and now – the past really seems like a wasteland (OK, not like the dystopian version Fallout paints – but definitely a desert.)

But it's not just the ease of access that has changed. The amount of work that goes into creating these games is staggering.

And then there's the supply chain. The production of video games involves a complex network of suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors. It's a delicate balancing act that requires careful planning and coordination.

Despite challenges like the crash of 1983, the video game industry has thrived. It's a multi-billion-dollar industry that continues to grow at a rapid pace. And it's not just about entertainment anymore. Gaming also has a significant impact on other industries, including supply chain management.

How Gaming is Influencing Supply Chain

Gaming has taught me a lot about the importance of simulation, modeling, and data analytics. In fact, Minecraft often involves complex resource management and building strategies. Similar techniques can be applied to supply chain management to improve decision-making, optimize processes, and reduce costs.

For example, games often use simulation to create virtual environments that can be used to test different scenarios and identify potential problems. This emphasis on scenario-based problem solving can be applied to supply chain management via AI-enabled scenario planning, to model different supply chain configurations, optimize routes, manage inventory, identify bottlenecks, and mitigate risks.

Data analytics and machine learning are other areas where gaming has had a significant impact. Techniques developed in gaming can be applied to supply chain management to improve demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and transportation efficiency. By analyzing large datasets and using machine learning algorithms, businesses can gain valuable insights and make data-driven decisions.

A Future Shaped by Gaming

As gaming continues to evolve, I expect we can look forward to even more innovative applications in the field of supply chain management. We have already seen Virtual Reality (VR) in training and Augmented Reality(AR) on the factory floor. In the future, I expect the end-to-end Digital Experience (DX) of the Supply Chain will be augmented by the application of VR/AR to provide real-time information and guidance to workers across the entire product lifecycle. But that's a completely different rabbit hole.

So, What’s the Point?

While this is clearly not a deep dive, here are a couple of pointers if you find yourself or your organization struggling with supply chain challenges. Consider a few things from the world of gaming to help you find your way:

• Embrace technology: Gaming has shown us the power of technology to transform industries. By embracing new technologies (just like gaming has embraced AI, VR, and AR), you can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your supply chain.
• Focus on data: Gaming is underpinned by massive amounts of data. Understanding data is at the core of any successful business - and it’s even more important for supply chain. By collecting and analyzing data, you gain actionable, intelligent insights into your operations that inform data-driven decision-making.
• Leverage simulation and modeling: I said it before - I'll say it again... these techniques can help you test different scenarios, identify bottlenecks, and optimize your supply chain processes.
• Seek expert guidance: Just like gamers rely on guides, walkthroughs, and tips from experienced players, businesses can benefit from the expertise of consultants, analysts, or solution providers who specialize in supply chain management. They can provide valuable insights, best practices, and tailored solutions to address your specific challenges.
• Learn from the best: There are a ton of games out there that can teach us valuable lessons about strategy, problem-solving, and decision-making. By studying these games, you can develop the skills you need to succeed in supply chain management.

Bonus Point

• Gamify your processes: I’ve always loved gamification. I include it in my management style and inject it into my GTM and enablement strategies. It can be a fun and effective way to motivate the people in your business and improve engagement. By putting game-like elements into your supply chain processes, you really can create a more positive and productive work environment.

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Where to Start

If you're interested in learning more about how technology can impact your supply chain, here are a few resources:

• Books: Explore books on Supply Chain Management, technology, and data analytics. If you are interested in applying game theory to your supply chain, "Actionable Gamification" by Yu-kai Chou and "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries are both excellent resources for learning about how game-like elements can be applied to business.
• Online resources and education: There are a lot of online courses (in fact LinkedIn has some here.) There are also a broad spectrum of magazines, publications, and quite a few associations available and focused on supply chain management and related topics.
• Ask the Experts: Go to an industry event and connect with other supply chain professionals. Talk to a consultant, analyst, or solution provider. Learn about the latest trends in supply chain management and lean into others’ expertise. It can provide invaluable insights and help you navigate the complexities of supply chain management. They’ve been there before – they can give you the insights to know what you don’t know.

By embracing these strategies and leveraging the power of technology, your business can improve your supply chain operations, reduce costs, and gain a competitive advantage. So, if you happen to be a gamer too - the next time you're playing your favorite game - take a moment to think about how it might apply to your business. You might be surprised at what you learn.

TL;DR

Is gaming shaping the future of supply chain? By my account, yes. By applying techniques like modeling and simulation, data analytics, and machine learning can improve operations, reduce costs, and help you gain a competitive advantage. So, the next time you're playing your favorite game, think about how it might apply to your business.