IBM game to ‘bring life’ to business training

In a novel spin on the use of games as an educational tool, IBM has created a game named INNOV8 to teach students the nuances of the mysterious art of business process management.

In INNOV8, mini-games are used in conjunction with a set of 3D interactive tutorials that explain the business value of concepts such as ‘service oriented architecture’.

Reportedly based on data from real life scenarios, INNOV8 lets users tackle business issues relating to scenarios such as an oncoming hurricane, allowing them to discover how their decisions play out and what effect they have on the success or failure of the game.

IBM is also using the game as what it describes as ‘an engaging way’ to deliver its Smarter Planet, BPM and service orientated architecture initiatives to its clients and business partners.

INNOV8 is already incorporated into the curriculum at the University of Manchester Business School, and Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick is one of several other institutions from across the UK which is apparently ‘using, or planning to use’ the game in its teaching.