InBox^®

InBox is a virtual workflow Lean office simulation game for classroom training.

With InBox, your students can practice the application of a full set of Lean Six Sigma tools in a risk-free, constructive setting that closely mirrors the current state of the "knowledge workplace."

A Unique Lean Simulation

Most Lean Six Sigma simulations use role-play activities and a sequence of runs to practice improvement tools for tangible products like paper or assembled items.

InBox is the first Lean Six Sigma simulation to employ an email-based workflow process that provides first-hand experience with Lean Office concepts where the work flow is essentially invisible.

The role-play simulation can accommodate a class size of 7-15 students with active assignments. Because InBox is entirely online, there are no additional simulation parts or pieces to buy and track.

InBox effectively illustrates the use of Lean tools within an office environment, including: takt time, work-in-process metrics, error-proofing, line balancing, standardized work, Little's Law, and Theory of Constraints (TOC).

How Does InBox Work in the Classroom?

The Setup

InBox uses the SigmaBrew case study featuring a large specialty coffee retailer struggling with quality and customer service issues in an increasingly competitive commercial market.

The story begins after senior management identifies a good candidate for a Kaizen Event: the unacceptably long cycle time required to open new stores.

During the InBox simulation, each participant assumes a role, or job, within the work process. Each role is provided with printed work instructions and an email account.

The Project

New work projects are initiated by the participant filling the first role using an automated Web-based "Market Demand" scheduling device, and work flows from one process step to another via forwarding of email.

Other job roles are supported by additional online "gadgets" that handle work processing by turning inputs from the prior process step into outputs for the current step (such as site selection, rent pricing, accept/reject decisions, and so forth).

As the simulation runs, InBox forwards the emails from the first process step to the last, preserving the email string, and therefore documenting all the process activity.

Since emails are automatically time-stamped, it is easy to collect data on cycle time by work project, which facilitates statistical analysis and data-driven decisions to improve the process.

Improving the Process

After the first run, the simulation participants collaborate as an instructor-facilitated group to create a value stream map, identify process waste, and design improvements to the process.

Those improvements are incorporated into revised work instructions, and the simulation is then run using the revised rules to determine whether or not the changes have been effective.

You can use additional cycles of analysis and improvement to further refine the process depending on how much time you have and how far you want to take the project.

• Easy online access
• Project employs an email-based work process relevant to the office
• Hands-on simulation illustrates Lean Office principles
• Can be played by 7-15 individuals at one time

• Low-cost training solution for initiatives of all sizes
• Designed to realistically replicate back-office processes
• Participants experience the process and then apply Lean Six Sigma concepts
• Students can complete an entire project in less than a day
• Online simulation means no new hardware or software

• We provide your trainers with an Instructors Version of InBox that has unique functionality:
  • Reset and reporting options
  • Visibility into the simulation workflow, which allows you to keep everyone on track

• We price InBox by the "instance" of the simulation, which means its use in a single class or workshop.
• For 1-5 instances, we charge $2500 per instance.
• For 6-10 instances, the price drops to $2000 per instance, but your organization must commit to six or more to receive the 6-10 pricing for first five instances.
• We also offer Annual and Perpetual Enterprise licensing. Contact MoreSteam directly for more information on these licenses.

• The following are system requirements for MoreSteam eLearning:

  • The latest version of the following browsers:
    • Chrome
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Firefox
    • Safari

    Your browser is not supported.

  • Display Properties Setting: Minimum 1024 x 768 screen resolution.
  • Audio: Optional audio in course.
  • Disable any pop-up blocker while in the course content.
  • Microsoft 365^®
  • Note: Courses supporting Minitab^® or JMP^® contain Microsoft Excel^® templates for the template tools not provided in those software packages.

    Additional system requirements for Minitab and JMP courses include:

  • Macro Security: Microsoft Excel macro security must be set to medium or lower.
  • Toolpaks: The Microsoft Excel Analysis Toolpak and Analysis Toolpak VBA must be installed.