Case Study: Northeastern University gamifies supply chain learning and boosts student engagement and career readiness with McGraw Hill's Practice Operations

Northeastern University - Customer Case Study

Northeastern University needed a better way to give students realistic, hands-on practice in its Introduction to Supply Chain and Operations course without overhauling an already strong curriculum. Faculty led by Professor Michael Power sought an immersive, team-based experience to bridge classroom learning to Co-op internships, and partnered with McGraw Hill to adopt a customized game-based tool, Practice Operations (affectionately called “The Game”).

McGraw Hill implemented Practice Operations via its Connect platform: modular simulations in which teams manage a clothing manufacturer’s operations, place bids, allocate resources, and respond to real-world supply chain tradeoffs. The Game, used throughout the term, produced immediate gains in engagement, teamwork, and students’ confidence for Co-op placements—faculty reported overwhelmingly positive feedback, stronger final presentations, and clearer, more applied understanding of supply chain concepts after McGraw Hill’s solution was introduced.

Northeastern University