Volvo Develops Efficiency Training Game for Employees

Transportation manufacturer Volvo announced that it has created a serious game application designed to increase efficiency in its employees. Volvo's game teaches the principles of efficient, "lean" production, and enables players to see how changes in workplace behavior can result in increased productivity and profitability. Originally aimed at employees in the manufacturing and assembly segments of the company, Volvo's application has since been expanded to train users in leadership, administration, product development and sales. "The Volvo Group has more than 90,000 employees and nearly all of them need to understand what we mean by 'lean,'" said Volvo Production System Academy training manager Dawn Yoshimura "One of the advantages of a computer-based game is that it's possible to train significantly more people at low cost." Volvo's serious game application was developed in cooperation with Volvo IT, Volvo Technology, Gothia Science Park Projektarena and Ludosity. The project's development reference group included the University of Skovde, Skaraborg Hospital IDC, Innovatum, Gronlunds Plat, Skaraborgs kommunalforbund, the Vastra Gotaland Region and the Municipality of Skovde.