Supply Chain Planning Master Class

Whilst many businesses are now aware of the importance of quality supply chain management, the identification of weaknesses and the recommendation and implementation of supply chain improvements can be a daunting prospect.

The Supply Chain Management Master Class focuses on supply chain improvement, through the use of a carefully structured process. It guides individuals and teams through the analysis of an existing supply chain, the identification of areas of under performance, consideration of various improvement options, and the selection and implementation of the most appropriate option. Who should participate?

The Supply Chain Management Master Class is aimed at managers with a tactical or strategic influence on the operation of their companies' supply chains. It would also be ideal for a company working party tasked with enhancing their organisation's competitive advantage by improving their supply chain.

What will they learn?
At the end of the programme participants will have a thorough understanding of supply chain strategy. The programme involves mapping and the identification of weaknesses within a virtual supply chain, before implementing improvements within the unique SCILworld simulation. This simulation will give learners the confidence and competence to make a similar application in the real life work place.

How will they learn?
Participants will learn by using the learning system developed by People Development Group. SCILworld is a simulated environment containing a simulated company called SCIL plc.

Participants will be confronted by a challenging objective which will be broken down into a sequence of tasks requiring the analysis of the supply chain within the SCILworld simulation and identification of improvements to be implemented both immediately and in the longer term. While the method is one of learning by doing, learners will work closely with a specialist coach who will guide them though the components of the task.

Fees and learning methods The Supply Chain Management Master Class is available as a face-to-face event, by distance learning or by a blend of the two. For an additional fee, face to face courses can be put into context to reflect a particular company's operation and culture.

Course Content

. Analyse the Existing Supply Chain
Considering the physical goods flow, draw a map of the supply chain. Add information flow to the diagram.
Draw supply chain thread diagrams for each of the various products.
Prepare an analysis illustrating the impact of time on the company supply chain identifying customer order cycle time, supply chain response time, acceleration and deceleration times.
Audit the existing supply chain determining cost to serve for each product and providing a clear analysis from a quantitative and qualitative perspective.

. Investigation of Requirements
Analyse the data collected in the sales team on customer requirements.
Determine future performance objectives, reporting on the key findings of the analysis and identifying key areas for improvements. Particular attention should be paid to how the supply chain helps and hinders the company in gaining a competitive advantage.
Recommend (and justify) KPIs enabling progress of improvement implementation to be monitored. Consider what external benchmarks may be included.

. Developing Options
Consider the company's two approaches to inventory management investigating and explaining the problems that arise as a result of each. Suggest improvements.
Consider the locations and highlight the problems that arise as a result of the three facilities within the company, recommending improvements.
Consider the inbound and outbound transport activity and detail improvements and recommendations.
Within the context of the company's operations take a view of the advantages and disadvantages of the use of the third party transport as against internally managed operations.
Detail the opportunities available from enhanced relationships with customers and suppliers explaining why the company should approach them with a degree of caution.
Give your view on the company information systems, are they making best use of information. Detail opportunities for improvement.

. Selection and Implementation
Consider the interaction between the supply chain performance drivers and detail and potential for conflict.
Develop a supply chain plan by combining all the thought and ideas generated throughout the programme. The plan should identify the benefits that will accrue in terms of cost and improved customer service.
Finally, consider how you would implement your ideas detailing the major obstacles and how you would overcome them.