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."

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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