Resilient supply chains Becoming a Resilient business is a popular topic in articles about supply chains. But, to become more Resilient requires a process to be followed, which also provides supporting evidence for the actions taken. Resilience is the ability of core supply chains to reduce the impact of disruptions and recover operational capability after disruptions occur. The Supply Chains … Read More
Misunderstandings about terminology in Supply Chains
Terminology is a challenge A challenge when developing your organisation’s Supply Chains Network Map is the terms to use that describe your intentions. The first part of the challenge is that you will need to build your own dictionary of terms, which is then understood and approved by the senior management group. The second challenge is deciding which of the … Read More
“When can I get it” question for Supply Chains group
Available to Promise The question often posed in different ways by individuals and commercial customers about their upcoming order is “how much and when can I get it”? The responsibility for answering the ‘when’ question lies with Customer Service, from calculations by Operations Planning, working with Procurement and Logistics – the Supply Chains group. An accurate delivery promise is dependent … Read More
Planning in Supply Chains is due for an expanded role
Planning is not well understood Because Planning considers the future, the answers generated will not be ‘correct’ to three decimal places, but that does not make planning less important. It is the process of planning that has the greatest value. It involves collaboration by the affected parties, using agreed definitions and the same data to achieve agreed outcomes concerning the … Read More
How many Supply Chains to satisfy customers’ needs?
Operate with One Plan You cannot ‘do’ supply chains – it is a planning concept. Developed in the early 1980s, the term reflects an effective plan that goes across operational disciplines for moving and storing items to meet end user needs. The ‘doing’ is performed by disciplines that are brought together as the Supply Chains group. At the minimum, the … Read More