Modern training methods call for active engagement of the trainees in the training process. Simulation games are among the most effective methods of training. As waste elimination concepts become more popular, numerous lean training packages have been developed. Most of these packages include simulation games as a hands-on training tool. So far, lean simulation games have largely focused on manufacturing. However, administrative or office processes also contain a great deal of waste and could benefit from a game aimed at their processes. This paper proposes a lean office simulation game to demonstrate the effect of lean implementation on office processes. The game uses four phases to simulate the impact of several lean tools. Various performance metrics are recorded during the game to capture the impact of these tools. A case study of the game played by administrative personnel is included along with an analysis of the results.

This research proposes a Web-based version of a lean office simulation game (WeBLOG). The game is designed to be used to train lean concepts to office and administrative personnel. This group belongs to the frequently forgotten side of a lean enterprise. Over four phases, the game presents the following seven lean tools: one-piece flow, error-proofing, elimination of overprocessing, balanced workload, multifunctional workforce, pull, and total quality. The concept of continuous improvement is also covered. Participants can play the game from remote and separate locations by logging into a specified Internet site. Additionally, the game can be played with a combination of real and virtual (simulated) players. Several performance metrics are automatically calculated and displayed at the conclusion of each phase. The results of the current phase can then be compared to the results from all previous phases to better illustrate the impact of newly introduced lean tools.Keywords balanced workload, elimination of overprocessing, error-proofing, lean enterprise, lean office, lean simulation games, lean training, multifunctional workforce, office and administrative personnel, one-piece flow, performance metrics, pull, total quality, Web-based games Most major companies are incorporating lean or some other process improvement technique into their manufacturing practices. Basic lean tools can provide immediate positive results and if implemented correctly, lean transformation can provide remarkable improvements. One of the biggest challenges of lean implementation is convincing

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Results of a numerical study considering the periodic natural convection inside a fluid saturated porous medium are presented. The porous medium is obtained by placing four, large and uniformly distributed solid obstacles of regular (square) shape inside the enclosure, a structure that hinders the option of seeking a porous-continuum modeling approach. The periodic heating is achieved by imposing a time-periodic and spatially uniform high temperature condition at one of the walls of the enclosure, while the other wall is maintained at a constant, uniform and low temperature; the horizontal surfaces are set as adiabatic. Heat transfer results are obtained then by following a continuum modeling approach, and reported on a parametric form with the Prandtl number fixed equal to 7, and the Rayleigh number inside the enclosure varying from 103 to 107. The boundary layer interference phenomenon, observed for the case of constant horizontal heating, is also observed in the case of periodic heating. The visualization of the natural convection process via isotherms and streamlines, together with the periodic (time-varying) Nusselt number, allows the identification of a singular dynamic behavior, including the storage of thermal energy inside the enclosure.

The steady-periodic natural convection phenomenon inside a heated enclosure filled with disconnected, discrete solid blocks, and under horizontal, time-periodic heating is investigated numerically. This configuration is akin to several practical engineering applications, such as oven baking in food processing, heat treating of metal parts in materials processing, and storage and transportation of discrete solid goods in containerization. Because of the relative large size, and limited number of solid bodies placed inside the enclosure, the solid and fluid constituents are viewed separately and the process modeled using continuum balance equations for each with suitable compatibility conditions imposed at their interfaces. The periodic heating is driven by a sinusoidal in time hot-wall temperature, while maintaining the cold wall temperature constant, with top and bottom surfaces adiabatic. Results are presented in terms of hot and cold wall-averaged Nusselt numbers, time-varying energy capacity of the enclosure, and periodic isotherms and streamlines, for Ra varying from 103 to 107, Pr equal to 1, and 36 uniformly distributed, conducting and disconnected solid square blocks. The results explain why and how the effect of varying Ra on the convection process is significantly affected by the presence of the solid blocks. An analytical equation, valid for time-periodic heating, is proposed for anticipating the block interference effect with great accuracy, substantiating the distinct features of Nusselt versus Rayleigh observed when the blocks are present inside the enclosure.