Strategy Simulation: Competitive Dynamics and Wintel

The simulation teaches strategic decision-making in technology platform competition, focusing on the historical rivalry between Microsoft and Intel during the personal computing era. Participants learn about network effects, standards battles, complementary goods, and the dynamics that made the 'Wintel' alliance dominant. The exercise illustrates how strategic choices around licensing, compatibility, and timing affect market outcomes.

Harvard Business Publishing developed this simulation for MBA and executive education courses to teach competitive strategy and platform economics. Participants take on roles within Microsoft and Intel, making decisions about pricing, product development, and partnership strategies across multiple periods. The simulation typically runs over several class sessions with teams competing against each other.

The simulation models the rise of personal computing, focusing on the period when Microsoft Windows and Intel processors established their dominant 'Wintel' platform. This covers the critical decades when IBM PC compatibles became the industry standard, roughly from the 1980s through the 1990s. The scenario includes key strategic decisions about operating systems, microprocessors, and industry standards.

The simulation is designed for use across multiple class sessions, typically spanning several weeks in an MBA course. Teams make decisions at regular intervals representing different time periods in the PC industry's evolution. The exact duration varies by instructor, but it generally requires 6-10 hours of total engagement including preparation and decision-making.