Cascade
Supply Chain Training That Sticks
The Bullwhip Effect. Experienced, Not Explained.
Run a simulated supply chain through real order-and-delivery cycles. A Beer Game-style simulation where every decision ripples through the chain, every delay amplifies upstream, and teams learn coordination by feeling its absence.
The Cascade Supply Chain
You manage one node in a multi-stage supply chain: Customer, Sales, Marketing, Product, or Engineering. Orders flow downstream; deliveries flow upstream. Each turn you receive orders, decide how much to order from your supplier, and update your inventory. Small demand swings at the customer amplify as they move up the chain, the bullwhip effect. Your goal: minimize total cost (inventory + backlog).
Supply Chain Roles
Customer
Downstream endpoint. Receives external demand. Places orders to Sales.
Sales
Receives orders from Customer. Places orders to Marketing. Faces amplified variability.
Marketing
Receives from Sales. Orders from Product. Variability grows further.
Product
Receives from Marketing. Orders from Engineering. Inventory and backlog costs compound.
Engineering
Upstream. Orders from external supplier. Feels the full bullwhip.
How It Works
Turn-Based Phases
Each turn: Receive (orders & delivery arrive), Decision (place your order), Update (costs calculated, advance).
Delays That Amplify
Orders and deliveries take 1-3 turns to propagate. What you ordered last week arrives next week. Information lag drives the bullwhip.
Inventory vs Backlog Cost
Holding inventory costs per unit. Unfulfilled orders (backlog) cost more. Balance is the challenge.
Total Cost Minimization
Your team wins by minimizing cumulative cost across all roles. Coordination beats optimization of a single node.
Multiple Teams
Several teams play in parallel. Compare strategies and outcomes in the debrief.
Post-Game Report
Facilitators get per-role, per-turn analytics. See where the bullwhip hit hardest.
What Your Team Learns
Flexible Formats
Fully Remote
Teams play from anywhere. The platform manages turns and costs, no physical board needed.
Hybrid
Some in-person, some remote. All synchronized through the platform.
In-Person Workshop
Multiple teams in one room. Perfect for supply chain or operations training.
Data-Driven Insights
Every order and delivery is recorded. After the game, managers receive reports: per-role cost curves, turn-by-turn inventory/backlog, and team comparison. Real data for debrief.
Cascade Rulebook
View the full Cascade rulebook: clear, intuitive, and in your language. Enter your details below to open it.
4-24 players. 4-6 roles per team. 12-16 turns. No prior supply chain knowledge required.
Cascade FAQ
How long is a session?
60-90 minutes depending on configuration. 12-16 turns at ~2-3 minutes per turn plus briefing and debrief.
How many people can play?
4-24 players across 1-6 teams. Each team has 4-6 roles. 1-2 players can share a role for discussion.
Do we need a facilitator?
The platform handles turn flow and costs. A facilitator enriches the debrief by connecting game outcomes to your real supply chain challenges.
Can we customize roles?
Yes. Managers can choose 4-6 roles and name them to match your context (e.g. Retail, Wholesaler, Distributor, Factory).
What data do managers get?
Per-role cost, inventory and backlog over time, per-team total cost, and comparison across teams. Exportable for analysis.
Ready to run Cascade for your team?