Supply Chain Implementation

Supply Chain Implementation The complexity of the supply chain can make it difficult to envision the whole, from end to end. Achiev... 3:14 AM

Supply Chain Implementation

The complexity of the supply chain can make it difficult to envision the whole, from end to end. Achieving a truly advantaged supply chain that will provide the participants with a competitive advantage in the market place will have many road blocks. The best (most successful) approach is to segment the supply chain into easily understood parts. Keep in mind that the whole must work together to be truly optimal. The plan for change requires a through assessment of the entire supply chain. Current practices must be weighed against best practices to determine the size of the gap that must be closed. Cost/benefit analysis provides the foundation for prioritizing and sequencing initiatives. There may be portions of the supply chain which you will need to design as sub-optimal even though the entire supply chain will be optimal and provide you with a competitive

advantage. Nothing should be sacred in your assessment even though there will be areas that may not be touchable. Putting together a complete supply chain strategy and the eventual implementation will take time, dedication of resources, and incur expense. In some firms it will be unlikely that the complete supply chain revision will be possible within a short period of time. The company may not be able to absorb or be willing to make the (necessary) changes being proposed. This will be key to the successful  implementation of the competitive supply chain. Attention must be paid to the company culture. If more than one firm is involved, which hopefully there is, then attention must be paid to the cultures of all firms involved. Attention must be paid to the “merger like” combination of the firms. Mergers typically fail because insufficient attention is paid to the details. All questions and concerns must be addressed to have a lasting relationship with other parties/firms that are involved. A continual focus on the expected gains will ease the transition to the expected state of a competitively advantaged supply chain.