Supply Chain Planning and Strategy from edX

This course is part of the edX Professional Certificate program Certified Supply Chain Analyst (CSCA), offered by ISCEA. This course prepares you for the ISCEA Certified Supply Chain Analyst (CSCA) Exam on edX and is a requirement for becoming ISCEA certified. To become an ISCEA Certified Supply Chain Analyst (CSCA), you must complete all three preparatory courses and successfully pass the CSCA Exam.

Every fortune 500 company relies on their supply chain to keep goods and services flowing into the marketplace, but supply chain processes are only as good as the people who keep them running. Certified supply chain professionals that truly understand the relationship between a company's competitive advantage and its supply chain strategy are getting the best employment opportunities.

This course is designed to introduce foundational supply chain topics that are relevant to make both strategic and tactical decisions. Strategic decisions covered in the course are the ones required to achieve a fit between competitive strategy and supply chain strategy. Tactical decisions covered, are the ones aimed to develop a plan to balance demand with supply.

It all starts with the management of supply chain flows and the linkages between financial and operational measures. Next a supply chain strategy is developed around a competitive strategy considering both efficiency and responsiveness. And finally, the essentials of forecasting are covered in the context of demand management and sales and operations planning - S&OP.

The course is part of the ISCEA CSCA - Certified Supply Chain Analyst - Internationally Recognized Certificate.

ISCEA, the international supply chain education alliance was the first organization on the globe certifying supply chain managers, and it remains the worldwide authoritative resource for Supply Chain career validation with thousands of certificate holders commanding top-tier salaries

What's inside

Learning objectives

The overview of supply chain management - scm in the global economy including the linkages between operations management and financial results.
How a supply chain design is developed based on a competitive business strategy

The relationships between global supply chain cross functional and logistic drivers that include information systems, strategic sourcing, inventory management and warehousing.
The fundamental issues of sales and operations planning - s&op. demand planning, forecasting, inventory control and supply planning

The overview of supply chain management - scm in the global economy including the linkages between operations management and financial results.
How a supply chain design is developed based on a competitive business strategy
The relationships between global supply chain cross functional and logistic drivers that include information systems, strategic sourcing, inventory management and warehousing.
The fundamental issues of sales and operations planning - s&op. demand planning, forecasting, inventory control and supply planning

Syllabus

CSCA01.1 Supply Chain Overview

CSCA01.1.1 Supply chain essentials

Supply Chains

Flows in a Supply Chain

CSCA01.1.2 Financial performance

The Objective of a Supply Chain

Financial Measures

Linking Financial Measures to Supply Chain Operation Measures

Managing the cash flow

Cash to cash cycle time

CSCA01.1.3 Strategic fit

Competitive strategy and supply chain strategy

Framework to attain strategic fit

Logistical drivers

Cross Functional Drivers

Beyond the walls of our own organization

CSCA01.2 Strategy

CSCA01.2.1 Introduction to strategy

Competitive strategy

Competitive advantage

CSCA01.2.2 Consistency between competitive strategy and functional strategies

Typical Functional Strategies

Supply chain strategy

CSCA01.2.3 Aligning processes with strategy

Push/Pull Processes

CSCA01.3 Framework for discussion

CSCA01.3.1 Sources of costs and revenues

Sources of the costs across the supply chain

Drivers of supply chain performance

CSCA01.3.2 Logistic decisions

Facilities decisions

Inventory decisions

Transportation decisions

CSCA01.3.3 Cross functional decisions

Information decisions

Sourcing decisions

Pricing decisions

CSCA01.4 Fundamental Issues

CSCA01.4.1 Introduction to Sales and Operations Planning

Demand management issues

Sales and Operations Planning

CSCA01.4.2 Forecasting

Introduction to forecasting

Forecasting example - Data inputs

Forecasting example - Quantitative models

Forecast performance

CSCA01.4.3 Introduction to Supply Management

Supply management terms

Supply management issues

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a thorough overview of supply chain management and the links between operations management and financial outcomes

Taught by experts in the supply chain field, with a proven track record in industry and education

Prepares learners for the globally recognized ISCEA Certified Supply Chain Analyst (CSCA) Exam

Covers the fundamentals of supply chain strategy, operational planning, and demand management

Provides a solid foundation for learners to build a career in supply chain management

Part of a larger professional certificate program, offering a structured learning path in supply chain management

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 Planning and Strategy with these activities:

Review financial management concepts

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Understanding financial management concepts will be essential for understanding supply chain strategy.

Browse courses on Financial Performance

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Revisit your notes and textbooks from previous courses in finance.
Complete practice problems related to financial analysis.
Review case studies on how financial management impacts supply chain decision making.

Read "The Lean Supply Chain" by Marilyn M. Helms

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of lean supply chain principles and practices, which are essential for understanding modern supply chain management.

View Student Study and Lecture Guide for use with... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of the book.
Read the book and take notes.
Discuss the book with other students or professionals in the field.

Create a collection of supply chain resources

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This compilation will be a valuable reference for you as you continue your studies in supply chain management.

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Gather articles, websites, and other resources on supply chain management.
Organize the resources into a logical structure.
Create a document or website to share the compilation with other students.

Five other activities

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Learn about forecasting techniques

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Forecasting is a critical skill in supply chain management, and this activity will provide you with a strong foundation in the topic.

Browse courses on Forecasting

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Enroll in an online course or tutorial on forecasting.
Follow along with the lessons and complete the exercises.
Apply the techniques you learn to real-world data.

Attend a supply chain workshop

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This workshop will give you the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in supply chain management and network with other professionals in the field.

Browse courses on Supply Chain Management

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Research upcoming supply chain workshops.
Register for a workshop that interests you.
Attend the workshop and participate in the discussions.

Practice inventory management techniques

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Inventory management is a complex and challenging task, and this activity will give you the opportunity to practice the skills you need to be successful.

Browse courses on Inventory Management

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Use a spreadsheet or software program to create an inventory model.
Enter data into the model and run simulations.
Analyze the results of the simulations and make recommendations for improvement.

Mentor other students in the course

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Mentoring other students will help you reinforce your understanding of the course material and develop your communication skills.

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Identify a student who is struggling with the material.
Offer to help the student by providing tutoring or study sessions.
Meet with the student regularly to answer their questions and provide support.

Develop a supply chain strategy for a real-world company

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This project will allow you to apply the concepts you learn in this course to a real-world situation and will give you a valuable experience in strategic supply chain management.

Browse courses on Supply Chain Strategy

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Research a company and its supply chain.
Interview key stakeholders within the company.
Develop a supply chain strategy that aligns with the company's business goals.
Present your strategy to the company's management team.

Career center

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

Supply Chain Analyst

Supply Chain Analysts are responsible for analyzing and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of supply chains. They work with supply chain managers to identify and solve problems, and they develop and implement strategies to improve supply chain performance. This course helps build a foundation for success in this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in supply chain analysis, such as data analysis, process improvement, and simulation modeling.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Analyst

Logistics Manager

Logistics Managers plan and coordinate the movement of goods and services, ensuring that products are delivered to the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost. This course helps build a foundation for success in this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in logistics management, such as transportation management, warehousing, and inventory management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logistics Manager

Inventory Manager

Inventory Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling the flow of goods and materials within an organization. They work with suppliers to ensure that inventory levels are maintained at optimal levels, and they work with customers to ensure that orders are fulfilled on time and within budget. This course helps build a foundation for success in this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in inventory management, such as inventory planning, forecasting, and control.

See salaries and explore the career path for Inventory Manager

Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Managers are responsible for sourcing and procuring goods and services for their organizations. They work with suppliers to negotiate contracts, manage inventory levels, and ensure that goods and services are delivered on time and within budget. This course helps build a foundation for success in this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in purchasing management, such as supplier management, contract negotiation, and inventory management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Purchasing Manager

Transportation Manager

Transportation Managers are responsible for planning and coordinating the movement of goods and services by road, rail, air, or sea. They work with carriers to negotiate contracts, manage transportation costs, and ensure that goods and services are delivered on time and within budget. This course helps build a foundation for success in this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in transportation management, such as transportation planning, carrier selection, and cost management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Manager

Warehouse Manager

Warehouse Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of warehouses, including receiving, storing, and shipping goods. They work with inventory managers to ensure that inventory levels are maintained at optimal levels, and they work with transportation managers to ensure that goods are shipped on time and within budget. This course helps build a foundation for success in this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in warehouse management, such as warehouse design, inventory management, and shipping and receiving.

See salaries and explore the career path for Warehouse Manager

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers lead organizations in managing relationships with suppliers and customers, developing and executing strategies for sourcing, production, and transportation, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the supply chain. This course helps build a foundation for success in this role by equipping learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in supply chain management, such as supply chain design, inventory management, and transportation management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for the human resources management of organizations. They work with other departments to develop and implement human resources policies, and they oversee the human resources performance of the organization to ensure that it is meeting its human resources goals. This course may be useful for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in supply chain management, which is an important aspect of human resources management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Finance Manager

Finance Managers are responsible for the financial management of organizations. They work with other departments to develop and implement financial plans, and they oversee the financial performance of the organization to ensure that it is meeting its financial goals. This course may be useful for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in supply chain management, which is an important aspect of financial management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Finance Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They work with marketing teams to develop marketing plans, and they monitor marketing performance to ensure that campaigns are meeting objectives. This course may be useful for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in supply chain management, which is an important aspect of marketing management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning and executing projects. They work with project teams to develop project plans, and they oversee the project to ensure that it is completed on time and within budget. This course may be useful for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in supply chain management, which is an important aspect of project management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and motivating sales teams. They work with sales representatives to develop and implement sales strategies, and they monitor sales performance to ensure that targets are met. This course may be useful for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in supply chain management, which is an important aspect of sales management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of organizations. They work with department heads to ensure that all departments are working together efficiently and effectively to achieve the organization's goals. This course may be useful for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in supply chain management, which is an important aspect of operations management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Production Manager

Production Managers are responsible for the production of goods and services. They work with engineers and other staff to develop and implement production plans, and they oversee the production process to ensure that products are produced on time and within budget. This course may be useful for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in supply chain management, which is an important aspect of production management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Production Manager

Quality Manager

Quality Managers are responsible for ensuring that products and services meet quality standards. They work with other departments to develop and implement quality control processes, and they monitor the production process to ensure that products are produced to the highest standards. This course may be useful for this role by providing learners with an understanding of the key concepts and processes involved in supply chain management, which is an important aspect of quality management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Manager

Supply Chain Planning and Strategy

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Syllabus

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