Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework from edX

In this business and management course, you’ll learn how make effective supply chain decisions that take into consideration all aspects of your business.

The course will take a helicopter view for decision-making. The helicopter view is built upon:

Key questions to decide on: manufacturing organization, late differentiation, location, distribution networks, …
Objectives relevant to your business: cost, speed, flexibility, reliability, …

We will work through questions such as:

Should you locate a process in a given country? This decision has an obvious impact on your HR costs, but it also affects your working capital and your ability to react to the market needs.
Should you centralize your distribution? This decision leads to economies of scale and a better product availability, but it also impacts your carbon emission.

By the end of this course, you will have built a framework that allows you to make better decisions.

What you'll learn

At the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

recognize key questions in the design and management of a supply chain;
identify the possible options and solutions to key questions, along with their strengths and weaknesses;
translate the company strategy into a clear decision making framework;
make strategic decisions based upon this framework.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Recognize key questions in the design and management of a supply chain;
Identify the possible options and solutions to key questions, along with their strengths and weaknesses;

Translate the company strategy into a clear decision making framework;
Make strategic decisions based upon this framework.

Recognize key questions in the design and management of a supply chain;
Identify the possible options and solutions to key questions, along with their strengths and weaknesses;
Translate the company strategy into a clear decision making framework;
Make strategic decisions based upon this framework.

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for learners responsible for supply chain decisions within an organization

Taught by Pierre Semal, an experienced supply chain expert

Develops key skills in supply chain design, management, and decision-making

Uses a helicopter view approach for making effective supply chain decisions

Examines real-world scenarios and use cases to illustrate supply chain challenges and solutions

Lacks hands-on practice and interactive exercises

Reviews summary

Practical supply chain framework overview

According to learners, this course offers a highly practical framework for making effective supply chain decisions. Many students appreciate the way concepts are clearly explained, describing it as a good overview that is especially beneficial for those new to the field. The structure is found to be helpful in understanding the big picture. While the course receives largely positive feedback for its foundational approach, some experienced professionals indicate it may lack the advanced depth they require. This suggests the course is likely best suited for beginners or intermediate learners looking for a solid, applicable introduction to the subject.

Mixed views on assessment quality.

"Some quiz questions felt poorly worded or ambiguous, causing unnecessary confusion."

"The assignments were helpful for applying the concepts learned in the lectures."

"Wish the assessments were more challenging to truly test strategic thinking."

"The quizzes reinforced the learning objectives effectively for the most part."

Concepts explained clearly and concisely.

"The instructor did a great job of explaining complex ideas in a very clear and understandable manner."

"Found the explanations easy to follow, which helped solidify my understanding of the framework."

"Content was well-presented and the concepts were easy to grasp thanks to the clear teaching."

"Appreciate the conciseness of the explanations, getting straight to the point."

Excellent introduction for beginners.

"As someone relatively new to SCM, this was a perfect high-level introduction to key concepts."

"Provided a great overview without getting bogged down in excessive detail, ideal for beginners."

"Ideal for understanding the big picture of supply chain management from a strategic perspective."

"It's a solid starting point for anyone wanting to grasp the fundamentals of supply chain decisions."

Offers a usable framework for decisions.

"This course gave me a practical framework that I can actually use at work immediately."

"I found the decision-making framework taught here to be very insightful and applicable to real scenarios."

"Learned a structured approach to supply chain decisions that was missing from my previous understanding."

"The framework presented is logical and provides a good way to think about complex supply chain challenges."

Too basic for experienced professionals.

"For experienced professionals in supply chain, this course might feel a bit too superficial."

"I was hoping for more advanced concepts and case studies; this is definitely introductory level."

"Didn't provide the depth needed to tackle complex, real-world supply chain optimization problems."

"While a good refresh, it didn't offer much new insight for someone with years in the field."

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 Management: A Decision-Making Framework with these activities:

Explore Best Practices in Supply Chain Management

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Exposes students to real-world examples and industry insights, broadening their understanding of effective supply chain strategies.

Browse courses on Industry Trends

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Identify reputable industry publications, research papers, or online resources.
Research and summarize case studies or articles that showcase innovative or successful supply chain practices.
Extract key lessons and best practices that can be applied to the course context.

Read 'Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Operation'

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Provides a solid theoretical foundation for understanding key supply chain concepts and frameworks.

View Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning,... on Amazon

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Read the introductory chapter to gain an overview of the book's structure and key themes.
Focus on reading chapters that align with the course modules, such as those on supply chain design, inventory management, and distribution networks.
Take notes or highlight important concepts and examples to aid in retention.

Participate in Supply Chain Discussion Groups

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Fosters collaboration, knowledge exchange, and diverse perspectives on supply chain topics.

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Join online forums or discussion groups dedicated to supply chain management.
Engage actively in discussions, sharing insights, asking questions, and responding to peers.
Reflect on the perspectives and experiences shared by other participants.

Five other activities

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Solve Supply Chain Simulation Problems

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Provides hands-on experience in applying supply chain principles and evaluating different decision options.

Browse courses on Optimization

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Access online simulation platforms or use textbooks with simulation exercises.
Run simulations with varying parameters and scenarios.
Analyze simulation results to identify key factors influencing supply chain performance.

Develop an Infographic on Supply Chain Metrics

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Enhances understanding and retention of key supply chain metrics through visual representation.

Browse courses on Performance Measurement

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Identify relevant supply chain metrics and data sources.
Design an infographic that effectively conveys the metrics and their significance.
Use clear visuals, charts, and concise text to illustrate the data.

Design a Supply Chain Network for a Case Study Company

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Applies course concepts to a real-world scenario, enhancing practical understanding of supply chain decision-making.

Browse courses on Supply Chain Network Design

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Select a case study company and gather relevant data on their supply chain.
Identify key supply chain objectives and constraints.
Develop and evaluate alternative supply chain network designs using appropriate tools or software.
Present the recommended design along with supporting analysis and justification.

Participate in Supply Chain Case Competitions

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Provides a challenging and rewarding opportunity to apply knowledge, develop problem-solving skills, and network with industry professionals.

Browse courses on Problem Solving

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Identify and register for relevant supply chain case competitions.
Form a team and assign roles based on individual strengths.
Analyze the case study, conduct research, and develop a comprehensive solution.
Present the solution to a panel of judges and receive feedback.
Reflect on the experience and identify areas for improvement.

Contribute to Open Source Supply Chain Projects

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Offers practical experience in supply chain technology and encourages collaboration within the industry.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify open source supply chain projects of interest.
Review project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
Collaborate with other developers and project maintainers.
Submit code changes or improvements to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Supply Chain Analyst

Supply Chain Analysts are the backbone of efficient supply chains. They use their knowledge of supply chain management, their understanding of a company's business strategy, and their analytical skills to help companies make the best decisions for their supply chains. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, will help you build a framework that allows you to make better decisions. By the end of this course, you will have a strong foundation in the key questions, objectives, and decision-making processes involved in supply chain management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Analyst

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of a company's supply chain. They work with suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers to ensure that the company's products and services are delivered to the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, will help you build a framework that allows you to make better decisions. By the end of this course, you will have a strong foundation in the key questions, objectives, and decision-making processes involved in supply chain management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Logistics Manager

Logistics Managers are responsible for planning and executing the movement of goods and services from suppliers to customers. They work with transportation companies, warehouses, and other logistics providers to ensure that goods are delivered on time, in good condition, and at the lowest possible cost. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, will help you build a framework that allows you to make better decisions. By the end of this course, you will have a strong foundation in the key questions, objectives, and decision-making processes involved in supply chain management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logistics Manager

Procurement Manager

Procurement Managers are responsible for sourcing and purchasing goods and services for their companies. They work with suppliers to negotiate contracts, manage inventory, and ensure that the company gets the best possible value for its money. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, will help you build a framework that allows you to make better decisions. By the end of this course, you will have a strong foundation in the key questions, objectives, and decision-making processes involved in supply chain management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Procurement Manager

Inventory Manager

Inventory Managers are responsible for managing the inventory of goods and materials for their companies. They work with suppliers, warehouses, and other logistics providers to ensure that the company has the right amount of inventory on hand to meet customer demand. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, will help you build a framework that allows you to make better decisions. By the end of this course, you will have a strong foundation in the key questions, objectives, and decision-making processes involved in supply chain management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Inventory Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company's supply chain. They work with all of the different departments involved in the supply chain to ensure that the company is operating efficiently and effectively. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, will help you build a framework that allows you to make better decisions. By the end of this course, you will have a strong foundation in the key questions, objectives, and decision-making processes involved in supply chain management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with businesses to identify and solve problems. They use their analytical skills to gather and interpret data, and then develop recommendations for improvement. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, may be helpful to Business Analysts who want to learn more about the supply chain and how it can be improved.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Management Consultant

Management Consultants work with businesses to improve their performance. They use their knowledge of business and management practices to help companies identify and solve problems. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, may be helpful to Management Consultants who want to learn more about the supply chain and how it can be improved.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning and executing projects. They work with teams of people to achieve project goals and objectives. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, may be helpful to Project Managers who want to learn more about the supply chain and how it can be improved.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Quality Manager

Quality Managers are responsible for ensuring that products and services meet customer requirements. They work with all of the different departments involved in the production process to ensure that quality standards are met. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, may be helpful to Quality Managers who want to learn more about the supply chain and how it can be improved.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers are responsible for identifying and mitigating risks to a company. They work with all of the different departments involved in the business to identify and assess risks, and then develop plans to mitigate those risks. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, may be helpful to Risk Managers who want to learn more about the supply chain and how it can be improved.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers are responsible for ensuring that a company's operations are sustainable. They work with all of the different departments involved in the business to identify and implement sustainable practices. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, may be helpful to Sustainability Managers who want to learn more about the supply chain and how it can be improved.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Transportation Manager

Transportation Managers are responsible for planning and executing the movement of goods and services by truck, rail, air, or sea. They work with transportation companies to negotiate contracts, manage inventory, and ensure that goods are delivered on time, in good condition, and at the lowest possible cost. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, may be helpful to Transportation Managers who want to learn more about the supply chain and how it can be improved.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Manager

Warehouse Manager

Warehouse Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a warehouse. They work with warehouse staff to receive, store, and ship goods. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, may be helpful to Warehouse Managers who want to learn more about the supply chain and how it can be improved.

See salaries and explore the career path for Warehouse Manager

Continuous Improvement Manager

Continuous Improvement Managers are responsible for identifying and implementing ways to improve a company's operations. They work with all of the different departments involved in the business to identify and assess opportunities for improvement, and then develop and implement plans to achieve those improvements. This course in Supply Chain Management: A Decision-Making Framework, may be helpful to Continuous Improvement Managers who want to learn more about the supply chain and how it can be improved.

See salaries and explore the career path for Continuous Improvement Manager