Gamification in Logistics: how to increase productivity?

August 7, 2022
5
min read

Currently, gamification in logistics has become a reality for companies in this sector. The trend, which has already reached undergraduate management course classrooms, is very common to ensure the quality and efficiency of logistics operations.

In short, process assertiveness is the main focus of logistics 4.0. As such, transport company managers are always seeking new action plans to improve their productivity. And gamification solutions can be very useful in this process, generating great engagement and motivation.

According to research conducted by MarketsAndMarkets, gamification techniques are already essential for the industrial sector. In the next five years, experts predict a growth of approximately 337% in this market. In this sense, let's understand how gamification in logistics can increase productivity and support management in various sectors. Stay with us for this read and check it out!

Understand the concept of gamification

First of all, let's recall what gamification is. In short, this concept refers to the act of taking elements from electronic (or board) games and adding them to activities with a serious purpose. In other words, transforming an activity, discipline, training, etc., that is traditionally theoretical and dense, into a game.

Thus, we can understand it as a tool that allows this type of activity to become more dynamic, intuitive, and engaging for its participants, without losing the focus on learning. Therefore, gamification in logistics has an objective far beyond entertainment.

In this sector, gamification can enhance the performance of employees in different areas of an operation. This is because gamified activities aim to implement techniques or action plans with dense concepts, focusing on making this moment more exciting and enjoyable for the operator.

In other words, this is a resource to efficiently align the functions of a team, using gamification elements which, as we mentioned, are inherited from famous electronic games.

For example, gamification in logistics can present activities that foster healthy competition between employees and teams, as games do. Containing a plot, with the development of the story, combined with the existence of phases and missions, which allow the participant to accumulate points and be part of a ranking.

Furthermore, this tool allows for the development of intuitive, innovative, and exciting training that promotes curiosity and motivation among participants. This makes gamification in logistics an interesting tool, as it can be applied to any sector of an organization, whether in management, administration, or technical operations.

Benefits of gamification in logistics

As we said earlier, gamification in logistics can be an extremely versatile tool for training. This is because it is responsible for aligning activities in any sector, facilitating the understanding of training and integrating teams.

See some benefits of combining gamification with the logistics sector:

  • Motivational factor: by reframing traditionalist training with the implementation of simulators or specific games for the logistics area, the employee is motivated to participate in daily functions. After all, their functions are part of a game and competitiveness is a stimulus for engagement.
  • Increased productivity: gamification in logistics brings improvements to productivity in operations. First, the competitive elements that games bring, such as scores and the chance to be well-placed in a ranking, are engaging actions. Second, there is a great provocation for the participant to want to participate in an activity and check future challenges and how the plot will develop.
  • Talent retention: the use of gamification in logistics routines allows for easier data sharing across various sectors. Additionally, it's a way to align procedures, which allows employees to have more autonomy and decision-making power. And this helps in understanding daily functions, improving operational routines.

BeerGame and logistics

One of the main gamification activities in logistics is the famous BeerGame. Also known as the Beer Game, this activity emerged in the 1960s at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It is the result of research by Professor Jay Forrester and other professors on dynamic systems.

Currently, BeerGame is an excellent tool for improving logistics procedures, especially in the supply chain. This is because it consists of a dynamic activity that interactively demonstrates how different sectors of a supply chain should work together.

Thus, the game is ideal for developing analytical thinking in participants, as well as being an excellent way to align procedures with teams. This is because the cooperative work and healthy competition that gamification in logistics provides make the activity more fun and allow for easier memorization of dense concepts.

Read more: BeerGame – understand the concept and importance

Discover OGG's gamification solutions in logistics

OGG is a pioneer in providing a platform with 100% online simulators in Brazil. Here, we have the best gamification solutions for onboarding and corporate training for companies in the logistics sector.

To learn more about OGG games and simulators or other solutions for gamification in logistics, visit our website and find out more!

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