System Design for Supply Chain Management and Logistics from edX

Logistics and supply chain structures can be found in virtually any system. In this business and management course you will learn not only what makes leading systems competitive but also how to design, or redesign, your own system.

The MOOC is based on a widely popular university course that will give you a working knowledge on supply chain strategy and design that can be applied in your organisation.

Course topics include:

How to increase ROI (Return on Investment) using logistics
Logistics trade-offs (service vs cost vs capital)
The SCOR model for analysis of supply chains
Sustainability in supply chains (the triple bottom line)
The Bullwhip effect and how to beat it
Strategies regarding:
- Sourcing
- Warehousing
- Product range
- Production
- Distribution
- Transportation
- Etc.
Concepts like:
- Quick Response - QR
- Efficient Consumer Response, ECR
- Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment, CPFR

Many of the topics in the course will be illustrated using real companies and real logistics professionals as logistics is not a theoretical subject – it exists all around us – everywhere.

By the end of this course, you will be able to better describe, understand and ultimately design your own system for your organisation based on existing knowledge in this exciting field.

Regardless of your industry or organisation type, the concepts and methods from this course will help you become a logistics and supply chain professional. You will never look at a hotel breakfast buffet, a loading bay, a warehouse, a factory, an emergency room or even at a fast food restaurant the same way again…

What's inside

Learning objectives

Basic economic analysis of systems and their profitability (in a logistics context)
Basic logistics and supply chain design principles

Taking a sustainability perspective using the triple bottom line of sustainability model
A system’s perspective on a whole supply chain including design, sourcing, production, warehousing, distribution and transportation

Basic economic analysis of systems and their profitability (in a logistics context)
Basic logistics and supply chain design principles
Taking a sustainability perspective using the triple bottom line of sustainability model
A system’s perspective on a whole supply chain including design, sourcing, production, warehousing, distribution and transportation

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces basic concepts of supply chain management, including analysis, design, and strategy

Covers a wide range of topics relevant to logistics and supply chain professionals

Led by experienced instructors Per Olof Arnäs and Ola Hultkrantz

Emphasizes real-world examples and case studies for practical application

Develops skills in economic analysis, system design, and sustainability

Provides opportunities to explore various logistics and supply chain strategies

Reviews summary

Well-designed supply chain course

Learners say that this well-designed course covers the basics of supply chain management and logistics and its key objectives. The course is engaging, informative, and well-structured. The instructor is knowledgeable and responsive, and the assignments are helpful and practical.

The instructor is well-versed and responsive.

"The instructor is very knowledgeable."

"The instructor is responsive and provides timely feedback."

"The instructor provides clear and concise explanations."

The course provides practical skills that are applicable in the workplace.

"The assignments are practical and help me develop real-world skills."

"The course provides case studies and examples that are relevant to the industry."

"I feel confident in my ability to apply what I've learned in my career."

The course content is interesting and informative.

"The course covers a wide range of topics in supply chain management."

"The readings and lectures are well-structured and easy to follow."

"The assignments are engaging and help me apply what I've learned."

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 System Design for Supply Chain Management and Logistics with these activities:

Review high school-level algebra skills

Show steps

Review algebra skills from high school to prepare for the course's mathematical requirements.

Browse courses on Algebra

Show steps

Enroll in an online course or textbook that offers Algebra 1
Download worksheets and challenge problems to work through
Go through the textbook section by section, completing problems as you go

Enroll in tutorials that cover logistics and supply chain management

Show steps

Watch tutorials and read articles on logistics and supply chain management to gain a foundational understanding.

Browse courses on Logistics

Show steps

Locate websites and online learning platforms that offer logistics and supply chain management tutorials
Check out free resources on YouTube, Coursera, or edX
Watch training videos and make notes of key concepts
Answer short quizzes and tests to check your comprehension

Read 'The Logistics of Global Business: Strategy, Implementation, and Management'

Show steps

Gain a comprehensive understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles from a business perspective.

View Melania on Amazon

Show steps

Purchase or borrow a copy of the book
Read a chapter each week and take notes on key concepts
Answer the discussion questions at the end of each chapter
Participate in online forums or discussion groups to share insights

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Participate in a study group with classmates or online peers

Show steps

Meet with classmates regularly to discuss course topics, work on problem sets, and share resources.

Show steps

Establish a regular meeting time and location with classmates
Set group rules and expectations
Choose someone to lead the group and facilitate discussions
Review the course syllabus and assign tasks to each member

Design a Supply Chain Model

Show steps

Design and implement a supply chain model to understand the principles of logistics and supply chain management.

Browse courses on Supply Chain Design

Show steps

Identify the scope of your supply chain
Map out the flow of goods and services
Analyze the costs and benefits of different supply chain options
Develop a plan for implementing your supply chain model

Create a visual representation of a supply chain network

Show steps

Draw a flowchart or diagram to represent the flow of goods, information, and services in a supply chain.

Browse courses on Supply Chain Management

Show steps

Identify the main components of a supply chain
Determine the sequence of activities and processes involved
Use symbols to represent different components and processes
Map the flow of goods, information, and services through the network

Volunteer for a local logistics or supply chain organization

Show steps

Gain practical experience and hands-on learning by volunteering at a local logistics or supply chain company.

Browse courses on Logistics

Show steps

Search for organizations that offer volunteer opportunities
Contact the organization and inquire about their volunteer needs
Attend training and orientation programs provided by the organization
Participate in various volunteer activities, such as packing goods, managing inventory, or assisting customers

Develop a proposal for optimizing a supply chain for a local business

Show steps

Apply your knowledge to a real-world scenario by developing a plan to improve a local business's supply chain.

Browse courses on Supply Chain Management

Show steps

Identify a local business to work with
Analyze their current supply chain and identify areas for improvement
Develop a proposal that outlines your recommendations for optimizing the supply chain
Present your proposal to the business and discuss potential implementation

Career center

Learners who complete System Design for Supply Chain Management and Logistics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Supply Chain Consultant

A Supply Chain Consultant provides advice and guidance to organizations on how to improve their supply chains. This course may be useful for this role as it provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of supply chain management, including topics such as supply chain strategy, design, and implementation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Consultant

Logistician

A Logistician designs, implements, and maintains supply chains for organizations. This course may be useful for this role as it provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of supply chain design, including topics such as sourcing, warehousing, production, distribution, and transportation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logistician

Supply Chain Analyst

A Supply Chain Analyst is responsible for the analysis and improvement of supply chain processes. This course may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in the principles of supply chain analysis, including topics such as data collection, process mapping, and performance measurement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Analyst

Inventory Manager

An Inventory Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of inventory systems. This course may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in the principles of inventory management, including topics such as inventory forecasting, safety stock levels, and reorder points.

See salaries and explore the career path for Inventory Manager

Management Consultant

A Management Consultant provides advice and guidance to organizations on how to improve their operations. This course may be useful for this role as it provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of management consulting, including topics such as business strategy, organizational design, and process improvement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Transportation Manager

A Transportation Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of transportation systems for organizations. This course may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in the principles of transportation management, including topics such as transportation modes, routing, and scheduling.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Manager

Warehouse Manager

A Warehouse Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of warehouse operations. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the principles of warehouse management, including topics such as warehouse design, inventory management, and order fulfillment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Warehouse Manager

Purchasing Manager

A Purchasing Manager is responsible for the procurement of goods and services for organizations. This course may be useful for this role as it provides an overview of the principles of supply chain management, including topics such as supplier selection, negotiation, and contract management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Purchasing Manager

Risk Manager

A Risk Manager is responsible for the identification, assessment, and mitigation of risks within an organization. This course may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in the principles of risk management, including topics such as risk identification, risk assessment, and risk mitigation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Production Manager

A Production Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of production processes within an organization. This course may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in the principles of production management, including topics such as production planning, scheduling, and quality control.

See salaries and explore the career path for Production Manager

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of projects within an organization. This course may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in the principles of project management, including topics such as project planning, scheduling, and budgeting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Sustainability Manager

A Sustainability Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of sustainability initiatives within an organization. This course may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in the principles of sustainability, including topics such as environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and economic sustainability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Quality Manager

A Quality Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of quality systems within an organization. This course may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in the principles of quality management, including topics such as quality planning, quality control, and quality improvement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Manager

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is responsible for the analysis and improvement of business processes. This course may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in the principles of business analysis, including topics such as process mapping, data analysis, and solution design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Operations Manager

An Operations Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and control of operations within an organization. This course may be useful for this role as it provides a foundation in the principles of operations management, including topics such as process design, capacity planning, and inventory management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager