Essential Collaborations Learning Ecosystem Prototype

Beer Inventory Bullwhip Simulation

A decision-based inventory game for brewer, distributor, and retailer consequences. Every order, safety stock posture, forecast interpretation, and communication choice creates direct and delayed impact across the other two tiers.

Operating doctrine

Local optimization can create system instability when delays, limited signals, and fear-based replenishment compound across tiers.

Target behavior

Balance service, cash, production smoothness, and trust while keeping the bullwhip ratio close to 1.0.

Facilitator use

Run live as a guided discussion, then debrief why reasonable decisions produced shortages, excess, or relationship strain.

Week 1 of 12

Baseline demand. Normal deliveries. Buyers are calm.

DECIDE

Stable conditions reward disciplined replenishment rather than dramatic adjustment.

System recommendation120 unitsBased on visible demand, backlog, and safety posture.

Decision log and debrief

Direct and indirect impact by week

The log is written for facilitator discussion. It separates what happened immediately at the local tier from what quietly moved into the rest of the system.

WeekDemandOrder SignalBullwhipDirect ImpactIndirect Impact
Commit the first weekly decision to begin the impact log.