The Dual-Impact of Project Stakeholder Delays: Gamifying Gains and Losses in MBA Project Management Curriculum

Abstract

Project delays, pervasive in management, stem from inadequate planning, natural factors, and stakeholders’ strategic self-interest. While traditionally linked to losses (cost overruns, penalties), delays may paradoxically yield benefits like renegotiated contracts or optimized resource allocation. Conventional business pedagogy—lectures and case studies—does not sufficiently convey these dual dynamics. We address this via a card-based simulation where students enact stakeholder decisions in delay scenarios. Results reveal frequent player-induced delays, often reducing project gains below theoretical maxima. However, a subset strategically exploited delays caused by players to exceed initial projections, aligning with real-world cases where extended timelines enable gains. This supports our hypothesis: interactive simulations uniquely illuminate delays’ duality—as risks and strategic tools—while outperforming traditional methods in engagement. The game’s asymmetric scoring (-1 penalty vs. +2 reward) mirrors empirical cost-time ratios, fostering experiential understanding of incentive-driven delays. Findings underscore gamification’s value in training managers to navigate socio-political complexities inherent in delay escalation and mitigation.