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Rudolf Leuschner, Ph.D.

Supply Chains are made up of a network of companies from the initial raw materials to the ultimate consumer of the finished product. Within this network of companies, there are three ongoing flows: products, information, and finances. To properly understand and manage the supply chain, you need to understand all the flows. If you do not consider all of the flows, you will miss opportunities or sub-optimize parts of the supply chain.

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Supply Chains are made up of a network of companies from the initial raw materials to the ultimate consumer of the finished product. Within this network of companies, there are three ongoing flows: products, information, and finances. To properly understand and manage the supply chain, you need to understand all the flows. If you do not consider all of the flows, you will miss opportunities or sub-optimize parts of the supply chain.

The last of five courses in this specialization is a capstone. You will have the opportunity to show what you learned and apply it to your Supply Chain Excellence project. It will consist of four modules, which will cover the following topics: product flow strategy; information flow strategy; how to use the supply chain to create financial success; and finally, the capstone case study.

You will have lectures, readings, and discussions with your peers for each topic, as well as a practice quiz in each lesson. At the end of each module, you can put your knowledge to the test and take a graded quiz. The Capstone Analysis module contains a real-life case analysis that will enable you to be an expert on a company of your choosing.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Product Flow Strategy
In this module, you will combine all the pieces and create a product flow strategy. The lessons in this module are 1. Planning for Product Flow, 2. Identifying Product Flow Issues, and 3. Designing Solutions.
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Module 2: Information Flow Strategy
In this module, you will be ready to make some actual improvements in your organization. The lessons in this module are: 1. Planning for Information Flow, 2. Identifying Information Flow Issues, 3. Designing Solutions, and 4. Leading Change
Module 3: How to Use the Supply Chain to Create Financial Success
In this module we will cover the impact of SCM on the financial performance of a company. Specifically, we will look at how SCM affects: (1) the income statement, (2) the balance sheet, and (3) the overall financials.
Module 4: Supply Chain Excellence Capstone Analysis
Now it is time to put all you learned into a final captsone study. You have started working on your analysis of a company of your choice since the second course in this specialization. Let's see what you came up with.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores supply chain management, a topic that is core knowledge for professionals in business
Involves several common media formats, such as lectures, readings, discussions, and quizzes
Provides learners with an opportunity to apply learning to real-world case studies
Taught by a PhD instructor who is well-respected in the field of supply chain management
Requires knowledge of basic supply chain concepts
The course is part of a larger specialization, which may require additional time and resources

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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 Excellence Capstone with these activities:
Create a digital notebook for course notes and assignments
A well-organized digital notebook will help you stay organized, review course materials effectively, and easily access information.
Show steps
  • Choose a user-friendly note-taking app or software.
  • Create separate sections or folders for each module or topic covered in the course.
  • Regularly add notes from lectures, readings, and discussions to the notebook.
  • Upload relevant documents, such as assignments and quizzes, to the notebook.
  • Use tags or keywords to categorize and search for specific information within the notebook.
Volunteer at a local organization that focuses on logistics or supply chain management
Volunteering provides hands-on experience and insights into practical applications of supply chain principles.
Browse courses on Logistics
Show steps
  • Identify local organizations that offer volunteer opportunities in logistics or supply chain management.
  • Contact the organization to inquire about volunteer positions and requirements.
  • Commit to a regular volunteer schedule and actively participate in assigned tasks.
  • Observe and assist with various logistics or supply chain operations, such as inventory management, order fulfillment, and transportation.
  • Reflect on your experiences and identify areas where you can apply your learnings to your coursework.
Attend a webinar on supply chain trends and innovations
Webinars provide an opportunity to stay updated on the latest advancements and best practices in supply chain management.
Show steps
  • Identify reputable organizations or industry experts who host webinars on supply chain topics.
  • Register for a webinar that aligns with your interests and learning goals.
  • Actively participate in the webinar by asking questions and taking notes.
  • Follow up with the speaker or organizers to clarify any points or explore further resources.
Three other activities
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Solve supply chain management case studies
Applying SCM concepts to real-world scenarios will enhance your understanding and ability to make informed decisions.
Show steps
  • Identify a reputable source for supply chain case studies, such as a university or industry publication.
  • Choose a case study that aligns with the specific topics covered in the course.
  • Analyze the case study and identify the key supply chain issues and challenges.
  • Develop and evaluate potential solutions to the identified issues.
  • Write a summary of your analysis and findings, highlighting the key takeaways.
Develop an infographic on supply chain optimization strategies
Creating an infographic will help you synthesize and visually represent the key concepts of supply chain optimization.
Browse courses on Supply Chain Optimization
Show steps
  • Research and gather data on various supply chain optimization strategies.
  • Identify the most important and effective strategies.
  • Design an infographic that clearly explains the strategies and their benefits.
  • Use visuals, charts, and graphs to enhance the presentation of information.
  • Share your infographic with peers or industry professionals for feedback and discussion.
Contribute to an open-source project related to supply chain management
Contributing to open-source projects allows you to apply your skills, learn from others, and gain experience with real-world supply chain challenges.
Browse courses on Supply Chain Management
Show steps
  • Identify reputable open-source projects in the field of supply chain management.
  • Read the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
  • Fork the project and create a branch for your changes.
  • Implement your changes and submit a pull request for review and feedback.
  • Collaborate with other contributors to refine your changes and ensure they align with the project's goals.

Career center

Learners who complete Supply Chain Excellence Capstone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Logistician
A Logistician plans, implements, and controls the efficient flow of goods, services, and information between the point of origin and the point of consumption. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help a Logistician gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain.
Supply Chain Manager
A Supply Chain Manager oversees the flow of goods and services within a company. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help a Supply Chain Manager gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain.
Distribution Manager
A Distribution Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of the distribution of goods and services within a company. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help a Distribution Manager gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain, especially the product flow.
Warehouse Manager
A Warehouse Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of the warehousing of goods and services within a company. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help a Warehouse Manager gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain, especially the product flow.
Purchasing Manager
A Purchasing Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of the purchasing of goods and services within a company. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help a Purchasing Manager gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain, especially the product flow.
Inventory Manager
An Inventory Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of inventory within a company. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help an Inventory Manager gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain, especially the product flow.
Materials Manager
A Materials Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of the materials within a company. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help a Materials Manager gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain, especially the product flow.
Transportation Manager
A Transportation Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of the transportation of goods and services within a company. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help a Transportation Manager gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain, especially the product flow.
Procurement Manager
A Procurement Manager is responsible for the acquisition of goods and services for a company. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help a Procurement Manager gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain, especially the product flow.
Demand Planner
A Demand Planner is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of the demand for goods and services within a company. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help a Demand Planner gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain, especially the product flow.
Operations Manager
An Operations Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of the operations within a company. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help an Operations Manager gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of the business within a company. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help a Business Analyst gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain.
Project Manager
A Project Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of the projects within a company. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help a Project Manager gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain.
Consultant
A Consultant is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of the consulting within a company. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the three ongoing flows within a supply chain, which are products, information, and finances. This course can help a Consultant gain a deeper understanding of how to properly manage each of these flows to optimize the supply chain.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of the data within a company. This course may be useful for a Data Analyst who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the three ongoing flows within a supply chain.

Reading list

We've selected eight 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 Excellence Capstone.
This advanced textbook provides in-depth coverage of supply chain management concepts and practices, including product flow, information flow, and financial management, making it an excellent supplemental resource for this course.
This practical guide provides detailed information on logistics management, including transportation, warehousing, and inventory control, which complements the course's focus on product flow.
Focuses on the logistics aspects of supply chain management, such as transportation, warehousing, and inventory management, providing additional practical insights to complement the course.
This classic novel uses a manufacturing setting to illustrate the principles of supply chain management and process improvement, providing valuable insights into the importance of optimizing flow and eliminating waste.
Explores the impact of time-based competition on supply chain management and emphasizes the importance of speed and flexibility in responding to customer demands, which aligns with the course's emphasis on information flow.
This classic book explores the challenges faced by established companies when disruptive technologies emerge, providing insights into how to manage innovation in the supply chain.
This textbook provides a broad overview of operations and supply chain management, offering a general foundation for understanding the concepts discussed in this course.

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