Instructions

System Requirements

• To start up, ensure you are using an Internet browser that has Style sheets, Cookies and Scripting enabled, and allows this site to deliver its own pop-up windows. The application is designed for Internet Explorer / PC but is not tested on all platforms. It is known to work using IE6 and Netscape 7.
• The connection speed is not critical, although there are some graphics that will obviously load faster with a faster connection.
• The screen resolution should be at least 1024x768, and preferably more to deal with the multiple windows. If you have lower resolution, note that you can close the standard browser buttons to save space since you will not need these.

Startup

• You need a login code and password to access the simulation. Anyone can access a limited interaction demonstration version using ID ‘demo’ and password ‘demo’. Authorised individuals may use their allocated ID and password to access the full version. To acquire an ID, see contact details on the menu to the left.
• To start the simulation, simply click 'Log in', then 'Start new game' in the menu to the left.
• Note that a typical ‘session’ on the Internet is cancelled after 20 minutes of inactivity. If you Save from the main control screen at any stage however, the position of your simulation will be kept in a cookie for 2 days. It is automatically saved to a cookie at the end of Phase 1 and Phase 2, if cookies are enabled on your browser. You can also save to the server computer for up to 7 days, from the control screen.

Phase 1

• Phase 1 is about selecting a contracting firm to deliver each of the 18 activities.
• Choose how many weeks you wish to spend searching for contractors (up to 3 weeks in total). A few contractors are already known to and are listed on the sheets provided, which you might also like to use to record details of any other contractors found.
• Searching for an extra week will cost £50k and will affect the project completion time, but will allow more contractors to be located, giving you greater choice. Search for another week at any time in Phase 1 by pressing the ‘Search for another week’ button. This will make available more contractors for all tasks (not available in demo mode).
• Make the most of the information available by clicking the 'Performance', 'Network' and 'Activity progress' buttons. Note that the network window highlights the activities on the critical path in red (there is no slack time on these activities).
• Move back to the contract-and-construct control window to see help, save or reset the session.
• To end Phase 1, make a final review of contractors, then sign the contracts to proceed to the actual project start by clicking on the ‘Sign contracts’ button. You will see the 'Start Managing' screen; proceed from here to Phase 2 when you are ready. Meantime you may quit your session but it will be saved on cookies for you to continue later if you wish.

Phase 2

• The project has started with your selected contractors, and you must now manage it through to completion.
• You now see a main control panel which shows the current day, and details of the first event that has happened and is demanding your attention.
• You can still use the performance, network and activity float windows in order to help you make optimal decisions. Note that the network window highlights the activities in progress with a slightly bolder border.
• For each event there are one or more alternative responses. Scroll carefully through these using the video control buttons.
• When you are sure about your response, ensure this response is shown, and only then press the Do it! button.
• The next event, whenever it happens, will be automatically presented to you - wait for this and do not click Do It! again until you have considered the next event.
• You cannot go back, in phase 2! Don’t forget to monitor your performance and progress using the cost and project status information; you will be given occasional reminders to do this.
• At any time you have the option to negotiate overtime payment with the contractors to save time on active tasks, offering them bonus payments to shorten the duration of their task. Click the 'Activity progress and Overtime' button, select an activity, choose how many days you would like to save, and make a reasonable offer. The contractors may reject your offer; there is a higher chance of acceptance of larger offers; if they reject, you can offer more. You may haggle at any time while the task is active, unless it is very close to completion, and for time savings up to a maximum of 20% of the task duration.

Phase 3

• Use the on-line feedback within the simulation and the debriefing questions to help you identify your main learning points.

Hints

• Tasks are initially given average time and cost figures - this gives you a rough but not final view until all tasks are allocated to contractors. You may wish to review these figures after selecting contractors, giving you a chance to adjust your selections before proceeding.
• Note that the Morale score does not change until Phase 2.
• You should take general notice of the contractor names and comments, but your own judgement is final. Do not agonise for too long over your decisions!

For further information please view or download the Full user guide (378kb pdf).

General control

• You can click on 'Control' button whilst in the simulation. This gives you the opportunity to Start a new game if you wish to enable a new run, or Log In again if your session is cancelled. Click Log in / Start to re-enter the simulation, but ensure you have saved locally or on the server first!

Troubleshooting

• If the initial simulation does not load,it is probably because Scripts are not enabled. Check Tools | Internet Options | Security | Scripting, and ensure your firewall does not override these settings.
• You also need cookies enabled in order to maintain the continuity of the game.