The rise in data analytics across different industries has lent itself well to gamification, with targets and point systems being used to make this information more interesting and rewarding.

The supply chain industry is not immune to this, with many aspects of it suitable for gamification.

The Rise in Popularity of Gamification

The rise of gamification has come at a time when the majority of services and operators have an online presence, and AI and ML have made data collection and analysis significantly easier. This means that all aspects of the data collected by businesses can be displayed in different ways, making it easier to create competition and reward systems.

The benefits of gamification include improved engagement rates, with those involved taking the time to look at their stats and feeling inclined to improve them. This has swept across a variety of industries, with users able to earn rewards or track their stats as they go.

The online gambling industry has taken advantage of improving technology to gamify many of its markets and provide players with fun and exciting ways to win money. The arcade-style gaming and features available in fish game gambling have seen it enjoy massive popularity among online players who combine skill, strategy, and luck for the chance to win money. Players can earn points based on their actions and are awarded rewards based on this.

Other examples of gamification include learning apps, such as Duolingo, which monitors how often users log in and learn, rewarding them with streaks and badges based on what they have done. Players on a hot streak of regular activity are more likely to log in the following day to maintain their record, something that a lot of businesses are beginning to realise.

How Gamification Has Spread to the Supply Chain Industry

The variety of stages and processes involved in the supply chain industry means there are plenty of opportunities for gamification.

Interactive Training

The gamification of employee training in the supply chain industry can transform relatively dry subjects into more fun and memorable experiences. All staff will have to undergo training to perform to the best of their abilities, remain safe, and have a better understanding of their role. Achievement badges, quizzes, and leaderboards can be implemented to make it a more fun experience for everyone involved.

Warehouse Ops

Warehouse operations can be demanding, with workers expected to pick, pack, and sort at desired speeds. Management systems are designed to monitor this, but can be used to incentivise staff and improve productivity and accuracy. AR and VR games during training can simulate the layout of the warehouse and provide more realistic training exercises.

Transportation

The life of a driver is so much more than just getting from A to B, and many vehicles are fitted with trackers to monitor how safely they travel. Drivers must also complete deliveries in a timely fashion, and driving economically is also a concern. Because of this, many drivers are given targets that encourage them to operate in a sustainable way.

Sustainability

It is not just drivers being incentivised to operate more sustainably, with businesses being monitored for emissions, recycling, and other green initiatives. This can see companies gamify targets from micro to macro levels, covering everything from individual to team performances.

Inventory and Demand Planning

The accuracy of demand planning is essential to supply chain management, with forward planning and trend forecasting helping with efficiency. Failure to properly predict markets can be costly and cause delays, so planner KPIs are often incentivised with reward systems.

Inventory management and data planning can be data-heavy, and these systems help to make it more interesting for those involved.

Customer Experiences

There are customers at every stage of the supply chain, right up to the consumer at the end of the chain, who might purchase a final product. As with any chain, each link is reliant on the one in front, and failure to perform well will impact everyone following.

Communication is key to customer satisfaction, and tracking portals are often used to keep customers informed. Many of these portals can be gamified with interactions, providing additional insights and loyalty rewards.

This encourages customers to interact with the system and can lead to improved customer satisfaction and stronger long-term relationships.

Conclusion

With so many different industries exploring gamification, it was inevitable that the supply chain industry would too. With so many moving parts involved in supply chain management, improved transparency is essential to success.

The raw data provided by everyone involved can be collated and used to provide greater clarity to everyone involved and make tasks a bit more fun.