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Supply Chain Fundamentals

This Supply Chain Fundamentals course is part of the MITx MicroMasters Credential in Supply Chain Management, offered by #1 ranked SCM Master's program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The CTL.SC1x Supply Chain Fundamentals course provides the foundational skills for supply chain management and logistics. You will learn how to develop and apply analytic tools, approaches, and techniques used in the design and operation of logistics systems and integrated supply chains. The material is taught from a managerial perspective, with an emphasis on where and how specific tools can be used to improve the overall performance and reduce the total cost of a supply chain. We place a strong emphasis on the development and use of fundamental mathematical models to illustrate the underlying concepts involved in both intra- and inter-company logistics operations.

The main topic areas we will focus on this course are:

Demand Forecasting, Planning, and Management
Inventory Planning, Management, and Control
Transportation Planning, Management, and Execution

While our main objective is to develop and use models to help us analyze these situations, we will make heavy use of examples from industry to provide illustrations of the concepts in practice. This is neither a purely theoretical nor a case study course, but rather an applied analytical course that addresses real problems found in practice.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Incorporate and manage uncertainty and risk within supply chain management
Segment different customers, products, and channels and design an optimal portfolio of logistics approaches and strategies for these various segments
Identify, design, and implement the appropriate forecasting methodology for each segment

Identify, design, and implement the appropriate inventory replenishment policy for each segment
Select the optimal transportation routing and modal choice for each segment

Incorporate and manage uncertainty and risk within supply chain management
Segment different customers, products, and channels and design an optimal portfolio of logistics approaches and strategies for these various segments
Identify, design, and implement the appropriate forecasting methodology for each segment
Identify, design, and implement the appropriate inventory replenishment policy for each segment
Select the optimal transportation routing and modal choice for each segment

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a solid grounding in the fundamentals of supply chain management and logistics

Taught by instructors from the #1 ranked SCM Master's program at MIT

Covers essential topics such as demand forecasting, inventory planning, and transportation management

Emphasizes the development and use of mathematical models to analyze supply chain operations

Provides numerous examples from industry to illustrate the concepts taught

Requires a strong foundation in mathematics and statistics

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Reviews summary

Supply chain basics covered well

Learners say this Supply Chain Fundamentals course is a great introduction to the field, with many finding the content to be engaging and in-depth, while challenging. While no reviews specifically mention it, the course is part of a MicroMasters credential in Supply Chain Management from MITx.

Part of MITx MicroMasters credential in Supply Chain Management.

"This is also a part of MITx Micromasters credential in Supply chain Management."

Course was rigorous and challenging.

"This course was rigorous and challenging."

"As expected from MIT-level of course: it's interesting, challenging, engaging, and for me personally quite enlightening."

High-quality, in-depth content.

"High-quality, in-depth content and engaging style of the instructor."

"quality was high (up to my expectation of a MIT course)."

You should have Excel skill before taking this course.

"You should have Excel skill before taking this course, so I recommend Data Analysis to the Max() , an edX course taught by DelfX."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Supply Chain Fundamentals with these activities:

Review mathematics skills

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Identify areas of weakness by going through high school math topics such as basic algebra, statistics, and probability.

Browse courses on Mathematics

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Review basic algebra
Review probability and statistics
Take practice problems

Introduction to Supply Chain Management

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Supplement course information and gain insights on industry best practices.

View Introduction to Logistics Systems Management on Amazon

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Read chapters covering foundational concepts
Summarize key points
Discuss insights with peers

Organize Course Notes and Materials

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Effective organization of course materials will enhance accessibility and support effective revision.

Browse courses on Supply Chain Management

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Review and categorize course notes
Create a comprehensive study guide
Utilize digital tools for organization and retrieval

Five other activities

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Develop a supply chain diagram

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Visually represent the flow of goods and information to understand supply chain processes and potential bottlenecks.

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Identify key supply chain components
Map the flow of goods and information
Analyze the diagram to identify areas for improvement

Host a Supply Chain Discussion Group

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Engage in discussions, share insights, and collaborate on supply chain topics to deepen understanding and foster critical thinking.

Browse courses on Supply Chain Management

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Schedule regular meetings
Prepare discussion topics
Facilitate discussions and encourage participation

Solve supply chain case studies

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Apply course concepts to real-world scenarios, develop analytical skills, and enhance decision-making abilities.

Browse courses on Supply Chain Management

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Read and analyze case studies
Identify problems and potential solutions
Develop and present recommendations

Supply Chain Improvement Proposal

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Integrate course learning to develop a comprehensive plan for enhancing efficiency and reducing costs in the supply chain.

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Identify areas for improvement
Research best practices and industry trends
Develop and present a detailed proposal

Mentor Junior Supply Chain Professionals

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Share knowledge and experience to guide and support early-career professionals in the supply chain field.

Browse courses on Supply Chain Management

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Identify junior professionals seeking guidance
Provide personalized advice and support
Monitor their progress and offer encouragement

Career center

Learners who complete Supply Chain Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Inventory Analyst

Inventory Analysts are responsible for managing the flow of goods and materials within a company. They develop and implement inventory control systems, which help to ensure that the company has the right amount of inventory on hand to meet customer demand. This course will provide you with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to develop and use inventory models, optimize inventory levels, and manage inventory costs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Inventory Analyst

Demand Planner

Demand Planners forecast and anticipate customer demand for products and services, using statistical models and techniques, such as those covered in this course. They are responsible for developing and implementing demand plans that ensure that the right products are available in the right quantities at the right time. This course will provide you with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to collect and analyze data, develop and use forecasting models, and manage uncertainty.

See salaries and explore the career path for Demand Planner

Logistics Manager

Logistics Managers plan, implement, and control the movement of goods and materials within a company. They are responsible for ensuring that goods are delivered to customers on time and in good condition. This course will provide you with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to develop and implement logistics plans, manage transportation costs, and optimize logistics operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logistics Manager

Warehouse Manager

Warehouse Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a warehouse. They are responsible for ensuring that the warehouse is efficient and effective. This course will provide you with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to develop and implement warehouse plans, manage warehouse operations, and optimize warehouse costs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Warehouse Manager

Procurement Manager

Procurement Managers are responsible for sourcing and purchasing goods and materials for a company. They are responsible for negotiating contracts with suppliers and ensuring that the company gets the best possible price and quality for its goods and materials. This course will provide you with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to develop and implement procurement plans, manage supplier relationships, and optimize procurement costs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Procurement Manager

Supply Chain Analyst

Supply Chain Analysts are responsible for analyzing and improving the performance of a company's supply chain. They work to identify and eliminate bottlenecks, reduce costs, and improve customer service. This course will provide you with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to develop and use supply chain models, analyze supply chain data, and manage supply chain risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Analyst

Transportation Manager

Transportation Managers are responsible for planning and managing the transportation of goods and materials. They are responsible for selecting the most efficient and cost-effective transportation modes and routes. This course will provide you with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to develop and implement transportation plans, manage transportation costs, and optimize transportation operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a company. They are responsible for ensuring that the company's operations are efficient and effective. This course will provide you with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role, including how to develop and implement operations plans, manage operations costs, and improve operations efficiency.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers lead and manage projects from start to finish. They are responsible for planning, executing, and controlling projects to ensure that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality. This course may be useful for Project Managers who want to develop a deeper understanding of supply chain management, logistics, and operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify, assess, and manage risks. They develop and implement risk management plans and procedures, and they monitor and mitigate risks. This course may be useful for Risk Managers who want to develop a deeper understanding of supply chain management, logistics, and operations.

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Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts design, develop, and implement computer systems. They work to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization's information systems. This course may be useful for Systems Analysts who want to develop a deeper understanding of supply chain management, logistics, and operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies and programs. They work to reduce the environmental impact of a company's operations and supply chain. This course may be useful for Sustainability Managers who want to develop a deeper understanding of supply chain management, logistics, and operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Quality Manager

Quality Managers are responsible for ensuring that products and services meet quality standards. They develop and implement quality control systems and procedures, and they monitor and improve the quality of products and services. This course may be useful for Quality Managers who want to develop a deeper understanding of supply chain management, logistics, and operations.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts help companies to improve their performance by analyzing their business processes. They identify and recommend ways to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and customer service. This course may be useful for Business Analysts who want to develop a deeper understanding of supply chain management, logistics, and operations.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants help companies to improve their performance by providing advice on a variety of topics, including supply chain management, logistics, and operations. This course may be useful for Management Consultants who want to develop a deeper understanding of these topics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Reading list

We've selected 23 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Supply Chain Fundamentals.

Supply Chain Management

Save

Provides a comprehensive treatment of supply chain management, from strategy to planning to operation. It is written by leading experts in the field and is considered a foundational text on the subject.

Supply Chain Management Revised, 7th Edition by...

Kindle Edition

Introduction to Logistics Systems Management

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Provides a comprehensive introduction to logistics systems management, covering topics such as inventory management, transportation, and supply chain network design. It is written by leading experts in the field and valuable resource for students and practitioners.

Introduction to Logistics Systems Management: With...

Hardcover

$$$

Introduction to Logistics Systems Management

Hardcover

$$$

Introduction to Logistics Systems Management: With...

Kindle Edition

$$$

Introduction to Logistics Systems Management (Wiley...

Kindle Edition

$$$

Supply Chain Management by Pearson

Save

This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of supply chain management, covering topics such as demand forecasting, inventory management, transportation, and logistics. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who want to learn more about the field.

Supply Chain Fundamentals

What's inside

Learning objectives

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Supply chain basics covered well

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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