There are various government agencies and institutions that have already embraced the use of training simulations and interactive 3D serious games in a variety of different areas. Some of these 3D simulations are designed to provide a greater proficiency with specific skills while others are designed to provide higher levels of ethical training and decision making within a specific institution or agency.

The key to determining how simulations can be most effectively used in governments is to consider all the different types of decisions and jobs within a particular department or agency. Of course each specific agency will have different needs, so individual serious games can be developed to meet each requirement.

The Military
Interactive training simulations are perhaps best known in military training, and many of these types of simulations have actually become mainstream types of games, just with a different emphasis. In military types of agencies and departments flight simulations, war games and management of various military operations can all be created in real time 3D simulations. This means that decision making skills as well as strategic skills can all be rehearsed and reviewed with a clear understanding of consequences without the need to engage in real or mock battles.

Protocols And Procedures
Every government agency has its own requirements for paperwork, documentation and legal requirements. Since keeping up with the latest laws and bills passed is almost a full time job in government agencies, online simulations and trainings are a simple and very effective option. The great advantage to using training simulations over just having government workers read the laws, is that they can actually see how they are going to impact people, current rules and regulations, and how they are applicable in the real world.

Ethical Issues
Government agencies have strict ethical codes of conduct that are implemented at every level. Training scenarios can provide a variety of ethical dilemmas for learners to work through that relate specifically to their job environment. The information from the scores and learner feedback can be used in evaluations for promotions or for hiring purposes. The training is also invaluable to help employees in the public sector understand the importance of ethical standards and how to avoid common pitfalls associated with “bending the rules”.

Task Or Process Training
Imagine how easy it would be if your employees could be trained in an engaging, highly effective format to use a new software. What if that training could be expanded to include procurement and purchases, working effectively with customers and clients and to become better overall managers and supervisors? Task or process training is ideally suited to online training simulations since errors don’t cause any major problems for the department or the vendors, plus the employee can gain confidence in the specific task before ever having to use the skill in the real world. As with the ethical simulations the process training simulations can be used to evaluate employee progress and as a factor to determine promotions and job suitability if a transfer is considered.

The government, as with any other type of business or organization, has many different ways to incorporate training simulations into their professional development programs. The cost effective nature of these serious games also makes a great deal of fiscal sense with the huge numbers of employees that need to have training on an annual basis.