Frequently asked questions for StratSimMarketing

StratSimMarketing is a comprehensive, team-based marketing strategy simulation in which students manage one of several automobile firms over up to 10 simulated years, published by Interpretive Simulations. The simulation emphasizes market-driven strategy, requiring students to integrate segmentation, targeting, positioning, product development, pricing, promotion, distribution, and marketing research into a coherent long-term plan.

StratSimMarketing is most commonly used in Marketing Strategy, Marketing Management, and advanced marketing courses at the undergraduate, MBA, and executive education levels. It is often used as a capstone experience within the marketing curriculum.

While both simulations share the same underlying competitive environment, StratSimMarketing is marketing-led. Strategic decisions are evaluated primarily through a market and customer lens, with finance, manufacturing, and operations serving to support (or constrain) marketing strategy. StratSimManagement, by contrast, emphasizes firm-wide strategic integration across all functions.

The simulation is based on the automobile industry, chosen for its clear market segments, long product life cycles, and rich competitive dynamics. The context supports deep strategic analysis without requiring prior industry knowledge.

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

StratSimMarketing can run for up to 10 simulated years, with one decision period per year. Instructors control the number of periods and pacing to align with course goals.

Each simulation includes five competing firms, each managed by a student team. Teams may begin from identical or distinct starting positions depending on the scenario selected by the instructor.

Yes. Instructors can choose from multiple scenarios (even-start, unique-start, and 3+3 configurations) to match course objectives and desired levels of competitive asymmetry.

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

Instructors select scenarios, assignments, and pacing, while Interpretive manages simulation setup and student technical support, allowing instructors to focus on coaching, feedback, and discussion.

Each period, students make decisions that reflect their integrated marketing strategy, including:

• Firm Technology: Long-term investments in firm capabilities and cost savings
• Product Development: New vehicle design, upgrades, and product improvements
• Marketing: Corporate positioning and the product-level marketing mix
• Distribution: Dealership network coverage and dealer training
• Manufacturing: Capacity decisions, production targets, and forecasting
• Finance: Managing profitability, cash flow, and stock price implications
• Marketing Research: Use of tools such as conjoint analysis, perceptual mapping, focus groups, and concept tests
• B2B and Licensing (optional): Fleet contracts and strategic partnerships
• Special Decisions: Topical incidents such as alternative energy vehicles (AEVs), product safety, and strategic partnerships

These decisions interact over time, reinforcing long-term planning and disciplined execution.

Yes. Students compete directly against other student teams, not against the computer. Market outcomes emerge from the interaction of team decisions, competitive behavior, and evolving market conditions.

The simulation reinforces core marketing strategy concepts, including:

• Market orientation
• Segmentation, targeting, and positioning
• Customer value and competitive advantage
• Marketing research and analytics
• Resource allocation across products and markets

Yes. StratSimMarketing includes advanced marketing research tools, such as conjoint analysis and perceptual mapping, which students use to inform product design, positioning, and targeting decisions.

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

After each period, students receive company, market, and competitive reports, along with analytical tools that allow them to connect marketing decisions to financial and market outcomes.

Teams often struggle when they:

• Fail to define a clear target market
• Make inconsistent positioning decisions
• Over-invest in products or promotion without understanding demand
• Ignore competitive signals or market research

These challenges are central to the learning experience.

Students consistently report stronger understanding of:

• Marketing strategy formulation and execution
• Competitive dynamics
• Customer-driven decision-making
• Long-term planning under uncertainty
• The strategic role of marketing within the firm

Yes. Instructors can use a wide range of built-in assignments, including:

• Case quizzes and discussions
• SWOT and competitor analysis
• Market attractiveness and business position analysis
• Strategic planning exercises
• Forecasting, break-even, and financial analysis
• Management audits and final presentations

Most instructors use a balanced grading approach, combining simulation performance, individual and team assignments, quizzes, and peer evaluations.

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