Frequently asked questions for StratSimManagement

StratSimManagement is a comprehensive, team-based strategic management simulation in which students manage an automobile manufacturing firm over up to 10 simulated years, published by Interpretive Simulations. Teams make integrated decisions across marketing, product development, manufacturing, distribution, and finance while competing directly against other student-run firms.

StratSimManagement is most commonly used in strategy and capstone courses at the undergraduate, MBA, and executive education levels. It is also used in advanced management, competitive strategy, and integrative business courses.

Unlike function-specific simulations, StratSimManagement requires students to integrate decisions across all major business functions and manage both short-term performance and long-term strategy. Success depends on strategic coherence, not isolated tactical choices.

The simulation is based on the automobile industry, chosen for its strategic complexity, capital intensity, long product development cycles, and clear competitive tradeoffs. The industry context supports deep analysis without requiring prior industry expertise.

No. Multiple strategies can succeed depending on execution, timing, and competitive dynamics. The simulation rewards coherent strategy and disciplined decision-making, not formulaic play.

StratSimManagement can run for up to 10 simulated years, with one decision period per year. Instructors control the number of periods and pacing to fit their course schedule.

Each simulation includes five competing firms, each managed by a student team. Teams begin in either identical or unique starting positions, depending on the scenario chosen by the instructor.

StratSimManagement offers three primary scenarios, each designed to support different teaching goals and levels of strategic complexity. The descriptions below highlight the key differences to help instructors choose the best fit for their course.

• Even-Start Scenario: All firms begin in the same competitive position, allowing students to focus on strategic decision-making, execution, and competitive dynamics without initial advantages or disadvantages. This scenario emphasizes market opportunity analysis and strategic differentiation over time.
• Unique-Start Scenario: Five firms begin with distinct strengths, weaknesses, and product portfolios. This scenario introduces greater complexity at the start of the simulation and encourages deeper early analysis of competitive positioning, capabilities, and strategic tradeoffs.
• 3+3 Scenario: Firms are divided into two strategic groups, typically three value-oriented, high-volume producers and three high-end, low-volume manufacturers. This scenario highlights strategic group dynamics, competitive asymmetry, and the challenges of competing with fundamentally different business models. (Alternative team configurations are also possible.)

Instructors can choose between even-start scenarios, where all firms begin identically, or unique-start scenarios, where firms begin with different strengths and weaknesses.

Yes. StratSimManagement is widely used in online, hybrid, and executive education formats, with tools that support team collaboration, analysis, and instructor oversight.

Instructors control simulation options, assignments, and pacing, while Interpretive manages simulation administration and student technical support, allowing instructors to focus on mentoring and discussion rather than logistics.

Students make integrated decisions in:

• Firm Technology: Long-term investments in firm capabilities and cost savings
• Product Development: New vehicle design, upgrades, and product development
• Marketing: Corporate positioning and product marketing mix
• Distribution: Dealership network coverage and training
• International: Optional expansion into and sourcing from two international markets
• Manufacturing: Capacity, production targets, and forecasts
• Finance: Manage cash flow, shareholder value, and project investments
• Special Decisions: 13 topical incidents such as Plant Automation, AEV Partner, and more

These decisions interact over time, reinforcing systems thinking.

Students compete directly against other student teams, not against an algorithm. Market outcomes depend on the collective decisions of all teams in the simulation, creating a dynamic and unpredictable competitive environment.

StratSimManagement is intentionally complex, but structured. Decision tools, timelines, pro-formas, and performance reports help students manage complexity without simplifying the strategic challenge.

Yes. Teams manage product portfolios across multiple vehicle classes and make long-term R&D investments that affect cost, quality, and market fit over time.

The consumer market is divided into distinct segments with different preferences, and demand is shaped by price, product attributes, dealer coverage, and competitive positioning. Teams must decide which segments to target and how to win them.

Yes. Instructors can enable optional international markets and B2B fleet contracts, adding another layer of strategic complexity related to sourcing, partnerships, and market entry timing.

Students receive detailed financial, market, and competitive reports each period, along with analytical tools that help them connect decisions to outcomes and adjust strategy accordingly.

Teams typically struggle when they:

• Pursue inconsistent or unfocused strategies
• Over-invest without understanding cash flow impact
• Fail to align product, pricing, and distribution decisions
• React tactically instead of planning long-term

These mistakes are central to the learning experience.

The learning curve is meaningful but well supported. Students are guided by a detailed case, manuals, decision tools, and instructor-selected assignments that scaffold learning throughout the experience.

Students consistently report deeper understanding of:

• Competitive strategy
• Cross-functional integration
• Long-term planning under uncertainty
• Financial and market tradeoffs
• The consequences of strategic choices

Yes. Instructors can use a wide range of built-in assignments, including strategic plans, SWOT analyses, competitor analysis, break-even analysis, management audits, and final presentations.

Most instructors use a balanced assessment approach, combining simulation performance, individual and team assignments, quizzes, and peer evaluations to ensure fairness in a team-based environment.

Instructors work with Interpretive to set up their course site, select simulation options, choose assignments, and schedule decision periods. Interpretive manages the setup and provides ongoing support throughout the course.