Topic	Name	Description
	Course Syllabus

1.1: Operations and Productivity	Operations Management	Watch this video which provides a general overview of operations and productivity. Pay attention to the lists on the white board. Which elements do you think are the most important to operations? What elements will help to increase productivity?
	Supply Chain Management	Watch this video. It will visually walk you through Supply Chain Management along with a mention of associated careers.
	Overview of Production and Operations Management	Read this article. Pay particular attention to the 3 main types of decisions.
	Introduction to Management Introduction	Watch this video. It is a good introduction to operations management, presenting both a historical context and a description of how individuals require management and leadership qualities within the organizational structure. In addition, it details the overall role of OSCM in a business, system optimization, and within the context of globalization.

1.2: Optimizing Operations	Supply Chain Management	Read this chapter. More than ever, supply chain managers play a major role in both cost control during the process and customer satisfaction at the end. Dell computer is used here as an example of their international supply chain process.
	Improving Production and Operations	Read this article and compare and contrast different production and operations approaches. Which ones do you think would apply to your favorite brand?
	Productivity	Read this chapter, which explores the beneficiaries of, affecting factors, measurement of, and technological advances associated with productivity.

1.2.1: Global Optimization	Supply Chain Management Case Study	Read this journal article, which examines supply chain management drivers and the motivation of sustainability for manufacturing enterprise supply chains in Pakistan.
	What is Supply Chain Management?	Watch this video which describes the four main global links manufacturing and operations, transportation, warehouse, and distribution. It also explores examples of how effective supply chain management works.
	Global Trade in the United States	Read this article, which, along with trade issues, touches on the interconnectedness of many other countries to be successful. Think of your favorite coffee shop or fast food restaurant and how they differ in products from one country to another.

1.2.2: Uncertainty in OSCM	Supply Chain Uncertainty and Environmental Management	Read this article, which examines the impact of supply chain uncertainty on environmental management spending in manufacturing. Focus on the sections of Supply Chain Uncertainty and Linking Supply Chain Uncertainty to Environmental Management. What is your definition of uncertainty in supply chain management?
	Securing a Supply Chain	Read this executive summary and introduction as a guide addressing security, its importance, the major players, logistics requirements, as well as the overall vision.

1.3: Goods vs. Services	Services versus Products	Read this chapter, which describes how intangibility differentiates a service from a product. While reading this passage think about what intangible purchases you may have made and how you determined the value of the product was high enough given the price.
	Demand, Supply, and Equilibrium	Read this chapter. Pay particular attention to the section on the relationship between gas prices and community natural resource consumption.

1.3.1: Manufacturing	Supply Chain Configuration	Read this article, which examines the challenges western nation manufacturers currently face. Specifically, it covers firms in industrial products, toys, fast fashion, and designer furniture.
	Additive Manufacturing Technologies	Read this article. It covers additive and subtractive manufacturing methods and how technology is changing the future of supply chains. Its presence replacing some conventional manufacturing methods and has increased speed and quality without having to wait for a partner or service provider. Can you describe the limitations of additive manufacturing technologies?

1.3.2: Services	Service Operations	Read this article. The author argues that services are key to success in supply chain and operations management. Can you identify what services are important in e-commerce?

1.3.3: Decentralized Supply Chains	Centralised or Decentralised?	Watch this video, as it presents both centralized and decentralized operations from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. What are some observable challenges associated with decentralized logistics?

1.3.4: Dropshipping	What is Dropshipping?	Watch this video on dropshipping, which describes how an individual acts as an intermediary while another business fulfills the order. What are the benefits and challenges associated with dropshipping?

Study Guide: Unit 1	Study Guide: Unit 1

2.1: Evaluating Production and Service Systems	Statistical Process Control	Read this chapter on the basics of statistical process control (SPC). SPC is a standard tool for monitoring whether a process is performing as expected and, if not, where problems occur. While reading, consider how this kind of tool factors in process capacity management.
	An Overview of Demand Management through Demand Supply Chain	Read this article researching the challenges in the fashion industry to respond to ever-changing consumer tastes. While reading, think about industries other than fashion where managing production capacity is an ongoing task.

2.2: System Design and Economies of Scale	Economies of Scale: A Case Study with Netflix	Read this book section describing Netflix's journey from a startup company to a worldwide brand. Pay particular attention to how Netflix was able to leverage its technology to gain customers and very quickly beat its competition - specifically Blockbuster. Their continuing evolution from DVD, to streaming service, to content developer has created a unique competitive advantage. The article speaks to Netflix's economies of scope, where they could have diversified in many different directions. However, their specific focus directed their strategy to a few key areas. How did their strategic revenue streams generate money for the company?

2.2.1: More on Economies of Scale	Economies of Scale	Read this section. It describes how warehouse stores such as Costco and Sam's Club can sell at low prices. Study the economies of scale curves, specifically the long-run average cost curve and the short-run average cost curves.
	Structure of Costs in the Long Run	Read this chapter. As you read and begin to understand what economies of scale are, create your own definition and see how it is similar or different from the text. In addition, focus on the diseconomies of scale to see what happens when a factory grows too quickly and becomes increasingly difficult to manage.
	Economies and Diseconomies of Scale	Watch this video. It presents a case study on the dairy industry in the U.S. Think about what this industry can do to effectively manage its short-run average total cost. Are economies of scale positive and negative for consumers?

2.2.2: Priorities and the Role of Buffers	Buffer Capacity	Read this article. The researchers studied buffer capacity and the effects of holding on to extra buffer inventory. Do you agree or disagree with the concluding analysis and why?
	Safety Stock	Read the introduction and first section of this article. We will go over inventory models in more detail in Unit 6. For now, focus on the role of safety stock to help deal with differences in producer supply and consumer demand.

2.3: Little's Law	Little's Law	Read this article. The researchers studied the capacity of queueing models specific to Little's Law. How is the law expressed, and what does it mean?
	Queue Time	Read this research article about a cross-docking problem, which proposes a nonstationary queuing model to speed up logistics timeframes. As you read, try to think about your next online order and how your order is fulfilled, packaged, transported, sorted, and delivered. Which part of this process had the longest queue time?

2.4: Flow Analysis	Multilayer Network-Based Production Flow Analysis	Read this article. The intent is to explore production technologies in relation to flow analysis. Pay attention to how production flow analysis is defined. Do you agree or disagree?

2.4.1: Flow Diagrams	Data Flow Diagrams	Read this article. Think about how flow diagrams in different parts of a business improve the respective area. Study the essential components of a diagram and the associated symbols. While doing so, create in your mind a flowchart of the series of events that take place when you purchase at your local pharmacy.

2.4.2: Capacity, Throughput Time, and Cycle Time	Evaluating Capacity	Read this article. It highlights the Toyota Production System as a process set up to understand its potential capacity, minimize its product throughput, and reduce cycle time. Analyze the Traditional Operational Availability Model for areas that could produce the greatest bottleneck.

2.4.3: Product and Process Layouts – Line Balancing	Designing an Assembly Line for Reliability	Read this article. It deals with production efficiency and human behavior. Despite advanced technology and automation, systems are still dependent on human interaction. How can the human component enhance performance, and conversely, how does this human interaction contribute to system failure?

2.4.4: Bottlenecks	Identifying Bottlenecks	Read this article. It describes an example-generic production process and seeks to identify bottlenecks within the overall process. Focus on the Theory of Constraints, its uses, and its approach to production efficiency.

2.4.5: Process Analysis and Gantt Charts	Gantt Charts	Watch this video on Gantt charts. Project managers utilize this tool as a shopping list of sorts, and it has become useful for project continuity, breaking down content, and identifying vital activities to complete a particular subject. Can you identify some advantages and disadvantages of using a Gantt chart?

2.4.6: Throughput and Bottleneck Factors	Managing Bottlenecks	Read this article. It details a bottleneck analysis and proposes a bottleneck management process. From the reading, can you describe why bottlenecks occur in a production process?

Study Guide: Unit 2	Study Guide: Unit 2

3.1: Process Analysis	What is Service Design?	Watch this video. It demonstrates how a process analysis is used to improve customer service. By breaking down stakeholder experiences, the organization can test different approaches at any stage to see how it changes the overall experience. While watching, think of the last time you had to stand in a long line to register your automobile or pay a bill. What would you modify in the process to improve your experience?

3.1.1: Process Flow Charting	Flow Chart Symbols	Read this chapter. It presents a general overview of the flow-charting process. The part on types of charts helps us understand what chart can be used for a given scenario. When do you think a flow chart would not be necessary?

3.1.2: Performance Analysis Measures	Measuring and Evaluating Strategic Performance	Read this section. It suggests that performance can be measured in different ways. Given that, is it possible to measure everything? How are you measured at work?

3.2: Production Analysis	Production Analysis Case Study	Read this journal article. The study uses production analysis to develop a robust workflow and help in designing sustainable shale production. Figure 2 depicts an initial production analysis. What would an organization need to collect production parameters?

3.2.1: Lean Production Systems	Lean Manufacturing	Read this chapter. It presents the lean 5S approach to workplace organization and safety. It also covers the Kaizen idea of continuous improvement. Kaizen seeks out and identifies waste, inconsistencies, and strain on people and machines. Reflect on your current or previous job. What types of waste occurred, and how would you apply the Kaizen philosophy?

3.2.2: Performance Analysis Measures	Using Lean Manufacturing Tools	Read this article. It highlights the importance, in a global competition environment, of measuring and analyzing lean manufacturing processes.
	Best Practices in Sustainable Supply Chain Management	Read this article. Given the speed with which consumer tastes change, being able to develop new, high quality products on a regular basis is key to sustainable profits for firms. This article covers performance measurements for new product development.
	Break-Even Point Analysis	Read this text on break-even point analysis. It goes through the process of calculating the break-even point for cost analysis under different scenarios. Take notes on each of the following: define the break-even point, differentiate between fixed and variable costs, and write the formulas on how to calculate the break-even point, calculate the contribution margin, calculate the contribution margin ratio, and calculate the margin of safety.

3.3: Services Analysis	Services Development and Comparative Advantage in Manufacturing	Read this working paper in the Policy Research Working Papers series put out by the World Bank. The authors argue that services have to compete for resources alongside manufacturing, with implications for export industries.

3.4: Waiting and Queues	Synchronizing Schedules for Transportation	Read this article. It discusses synchronizing transportation schedules. Because the logistics segment of the cycle is a large-scale effort, the waiting and queues are magnified. How many different modes of transportation do you think are required to make a product from raw material to the customer's hand?
	A Survey on Queueing Systems with Mathematical Models and Applications	Read this paper on waiting line analysis and queues. It provides a good survey of the theory and uses of this type of analysis. Pay particular attention to sections 1 through 3. How might these models be used to balance firm costs with different levels of customer satisfaction?

Study Guide: Unit 3	Study Guide: Unit 3

4.1: The Role of Manufacturing Processes in Scheduling	Scheduling in Manufacturing Systems: The Ant Colony Approach	Read this section. It makes the case that production systems are similar to ant colonies because ants continue to learn from one another and find ways to become more efficient at their task at hand. As you read, pay special attention to some of the scheduling problems.

4.1.1: Types of Manufacturing Processes	Manufacturing Processes	This textbook gives an introduction to the various types of manufacturing processes. Read these chapters, for an overview of different processes, including computer numerical control (CNC) processes. What consumer items would be appropriate to be manufactured through CNC?

4.1.2: Job Sequencing and Priority Rules	Production Scheduling Approaches	Read these sections, which highlight key problems in production scheduling. How can job sequencing and priority rules help to alleviate the key problems? Can you identify the different rules that affect job sequencing and priority rules in operations management?

4.2: Labor Resource Scheduling	Managing Labor Costs	Read this chapter. Pay particular attention to the areas of labor cost and labor productivity. How can the service industry maintain or reduce labor costs while simultaneously boosting performance?

4.2.1: Analytical Approaches to Developing Personnel Schedules	Resource Planning	Read this article. The part on estimating resources is of interest because it highlights important considerations when scheduling staff for a particular activity. Can you also list some of the areas affecting interpersonal relationships while on the job?

4.2.2: Labor Standards	Legal Environment of Human Resources and Labor Relations	Read this chapter. It highlights standards that are meant to ensure personnel are treated fairly from their first day on the job until the very last. In the piece on Laws Impacting Human Resource Management, what US Act do you think was most instrumental in bringing change to the labor standards?
	Human Resource Management and Compliance	Read this chapter. It addresses labor movements through unionization to further protect employees at local, national, and international levels. Can you think of how unions can both help and hinder economic development?

4.3: Scheduling Workers, Material, and Jobs	Scheduling IT Staff at a Bank: A Mathematical Programming Approach	Read this article, which addresses staffing optimization. What are some of the scheduling models associated with personnel scheduling? Compare and contrast each to flesh out the pros and cons.

Study Guide: Unit 4	Study Guide: Unit 4

5.1: Forecasting the Fundamentals	Forecasting and Inventory Management	Watch this video. The speakers present forecasting methods based on overall business demand. How does a business reconcile the discrepancy between a forecast and actual demand?
	Forecasting	Forecasting can be thought of as making predictions based on historical and current data to anticipate future needs. Quantitative forecasting is accomplished through objective numerical data and statistical analysis. In contrast, qualitative forecasting makes predictions using subjective knowledge guided by expertise or past experience. This page gives a simple overview of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Study the forecasting diagram as it displays a visual representation of forecasting. When is it appropriate to use a qualitative forecast? A quantitative forecast?

5.2: Quantitative Forecasting	Measuring Forecast Accuracy in a Pharmacy	Read this article where forecasting approaches, along with a hybrid forecasting method are covered. What types of data can a company use in quantitative forecasts?

5.2.1: Time-Series Forecasting	Time-Series Forecasting in the Energy Sector with Automated Machine Learning	Watch this video. Pay attention to the definition and explanation of time series. How would you define time series and what industries can use this approach?

5.2.2: Decomposition	Time-Series Modeling and Decomposition	Read this article. It provides an overview of techniques associated with decomposition. Part 4, The Business Cycle, presents how this tool is applied in business operations. Why do you think decomposition is useful in understanding seasonality costs?

5.2.3: Linear Regression	Regression Basics	Read this chapter, which provides a general overview of regression. Focus on the Correlation and covariance section. How would you define correlation and covariance?

5.2.4: Moving Average	Kinds, Traits, and Weak Points	Watch this video. Consider the different types of moving averages that are presented. Can you clearly articulate the differences in your own words?

5.2.5: Exponential Smoothing	Exponential Smoothing in Excel 2016	Watch this video, and note how the data is manipulated and forecasted. Can you identify any patterns?

5.3: The Components of Demand	Forecasting Electricity Demand	Read this article. The authors suggest that underestimating demand for electricity services can result in shortages that impact productivity and overall economic growth. Box 1 presents a case study of electricity forecasting in Armenia. How do you think your personal energy consumption helps or hurts your country's economic development?

5.3.1: Trends	Basic Forecasting for Airlines	Watch this video. It explains forecasting for the short, medium, and long term. What trends can you identify in the airline sector and how do you think these trends affect the price you pay?

5.3.2: Seasonality	Forecasting Daily Demand in Cash Supply Chains	Read this article. It is important because seasonal demand is addressed as the authors attempt to successfully predict demand. In your experience, what are some seasonal products or services that you purchase?

5.4: Causal Relationships	Facilitating Communication	Read this article. It posits that investments in information technology enhance supply chain business performance. As you read the Literature Review, think about how advances in technology have increased your own productivity.

5.5: Forecasting Errors	Forecasting Errors	Watch this video. Pay particular attention to the presentation of a summary of forecasting errors. In your personal life, what happens when your forecast of costs for a vacation holiday is less than your actual costs?

5.6: Qualitative Forecasting	Forecasting Approaches	Read this article. Two forecasting approaches are employed for forest fire disaster response planning. Focus on the qualitative flow chart in Figure 2.

Study Guide: Unit 5	Study Guide: Unit 5

6.1: Lean Operations	10 Rules of Lean Assembly Cell Design	Watch this video. It provides a list of basic rules to operate a manufacturing process. Along with the benefits indicated, what are some other benefits of being lean?

6.1.1: JIT versus JIC	Using JIT in a Green Supply Chain	Read this article on the Green Supply Chain. The authors analyzed the JIT approach to a transportation supply chain. As you read, think about what JIC materials, goods, and labor must be on hand in order to deliver JIT products?

6.1.2: Kanban Systems	Kanban Methodology	Watch this video on Kanban. Based upon the list of core practices associated with the Kanban system highlighted in the video, in your own words can you list and describe the core practices of a Kanban system?

6.2: Quality Control	Quality and Operations Management in Food Supply Chains	Read this article. The authors present a review of quality and operations management problems associated with food supply chains. In regard to transportation, how can a supply chain improve the transportation problems of perishables?

6.2.1: Process Capability	Estimating Process Capability	Read this paper. The main topic is to estimate the capability of a particular process. How would you define a process capability?

6.2.2: Statistical Process Control	Statistical Process Control	Watch this video. It presents a simple overview and visual aid for understanding SPC. What industries employ statistical process control metrics?

6.2.3: Total Quality Management	Total Quality Management (TQM) for Sustainable Customer Loyalty	Read this article. The paper seeks to demonstrate how implementing TQM can be a precursor to sustainable customer loyalty. While reading, reflect on how your favorite store or brand seeks to maintain your satisfaction and loyalty. What in particular do they do that keeps you a loyal customer?

6.2.4: Six Sigma	Six Sigma	Read this chapter, which gives a clear description of Six Sigma, when it is used, and how to interpret the results.

6.2.5: ISO 9000	ISO 9000	Read the first section of this text on ISO 9000. What are the benefits, for both the firm and the customer, of a firm going through the ISO 900(1) certification process?

6.3: Inventory Models	Production-Consumption Inventory Model	Watch this video. Three basic inventory groups are presented. For the deterministic group, what are some of the assumptions noted?

6.3.1: Questions and Metrics	Managing Inventory Control and Procurement	Read this chapter. It uses the food service industry as a case study because of the different types of raw material inventory food establishments need to consider. As you read the section on Three Ways to Increase Your Value, can you recommend a fourth or even a fifth to help these businesses?

6.3.2: Constant Demand Model	Demand in an Open Economy	Watch this video. For a constant demand model, the presenter suggests that demand is equal to output. What factors are attributed to a product being in constant demand?

6.3.3: Time-Varying Demand Model	Optimal Policies for a Finite-Horizon Production Inventory Model	Read this article. The research indicates challenges associated with the timely ordering of products, especially those that can degrade with time. What kinds of challenges can you see with products that have a defined shelf life and can spoil or deteriorate?

6.3.4: Stochastic Inventory Model	Stochastic Inventory Management in a Shortage	Read this article. The study indicates that a stochastic inventory management system should be preceded by determining the economic feasibility of the shortage. How does using real-time statistics help determine purchasing?

6.4: Safety Stock and Uncertainty	Determining Safety Stock with Uncertain Demand	Read this article. It concludes by suggesting that errors in ordering safety stock can be affected by costs, time, and human error. What other factors should a company consider when ordering safety stock to avoid uncertainty?

Study Guide: Unit 6	Study Guide: Unit 6

7.1: Criteria for Location Selection	Plant Location Selection for Food Production	Read this article. The authors propose a location selection procedure by simulating daily production volume and supply chain failures of raw materials for producing kimchi. Given the identified failures what must service-based industries consider in location selection?

7.1.1: Factor Rating System	Garage Location Selection for Public Transportation System in Istanbul	Read this article. The study covered uses various tools to determine the best location for bus garages to operate including maintenance and repair activities. Focus on Figure 1 in the Methodology section as it visually demonstrates the analytical process.

7.1.2: Cost-Profit-Volume Analysis	Locational Cost Volume Profit Analysis	Watch this video. In it, the presenter demonstrates how to conduct a cost-profit volume analysis for selecting a location. Notice how the data sets are used to create a visual chart for three potential locations. When comparing the analyses for these locations, what does the intersection of the lines mean?

7.1.3: Linear Programming Transportation	Minimizing the Cost of Transportation	Read this article. The study employed a transportation model to find the minimum cost of transporting manufactured goods from factories to warehouses. As you read, think of some factors that can greatly increase transportation and logistics time.

7.1.4: The GIS/Centroid Method	Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)	Read this article. When you read the section on Centroid (geometric and population-weighted), think about the location of your local supermarket. Where is it in relation to customers, suppliers, or other partners?

7.2: Facility Layout Objectives	Location, Location, Location	Read this chapter What are some of the most important objectives to consider when designing a layout? How can a producer mitigate layout inefficiencies?
	Facility Location	Many factors affect how organizations locate their facilities, and these factors vary in importance in different situations.

7.2.1: Classifying Layouts	Introduction to Facility and Product Layout Planning	Watch this video. It highlights facility layout and optimization and layout types. When is it appropriate to use a mixed hybrid layout?

7.2.2: Layout Problems	Coupling Layout Optimization of Key Plant and Industrial Area	Read the introduction and sections 5 and 6. This article discusses a hybrid model for optimal layout planning, considering factors in plant layout design. What factors does the model not consider, and how important are these factors?

7.3: Manufacturing-Facility Layouts	Layout Models for the Food Processing Industry	Read this article. The topic focuses on the most efficient and effective layout model for food production. Can you identify one advantage of modifying an existing layout to increase efficiency?
	Assessing Shop Floor Layouts in the Context of Process Plans	Read this article. The paper seeks to compare performance of three layouts. Do you agree or disagree with the findings of the research?
	Mixed Assembly Line Balancing	Assembly lines are meant to be a cost-efficient way to manufacture an item through standardization. Balancing the assembly line allows for low-volume, made-to-order production up to high-volume, mass-produced items. Essentially, balancing the assembly consists of allocating or reallocating tasks to a workstation to minimize downtime or constraints. Read this article. The article proposes balancing production lines to attenuate capacity restrictions and increase balancing efficiency. Pay particular attention to section 2.2 on assembly line balancing.

Study Guide: Unit 7	Study Guide: Unit 7

8.1: Distribution Network Analysis	The Roman Transport System	Watch this video. The analysis presented employs distribution network analysis to analyze past transport systems. What were the main uses of transportation roads in Roman times, and how are these applicable today?

8.1.1: Tiered Suppliers	Designing Supply Networks in Manufacturing Industries	Read Sections 1 and 2 of this article. The study investigates how automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) design supply networks. In Table 2, notice how personal ties and contractual, transactional, and professional network ties play a role.

8.1.2: Subassembly Suppliers	Sustainable Procurement	Read this article, which highlights a novel strategy for procurement. Focus on sections 1, 2, and 5 and the opening paragraphs for sections 3 and 4. The model in the paper presents a new strategy to reduce procurement costs and enhance overall procurement flexibility.

8.1.3: Supplier Relations	Managing Supplier Relationship in a Typical Public Procurement Entity in Ghana	Read this article. The idea is to determine ways of managing supplier relations in order to improve procurement performance. After reading this article, what is your own definition of supplier relations?

8.1.4: Reverse Supply Chain	The Reverse Supply Chain of E-Waste Management Processes	Read this article. The authors propose that reverse supply chains can achieve economic as well as environmental and social benefits. Regarding your electronic devices, do you know how you can recycle and reverse supply them back to a vendor?

8.2: Network Design	The Life Cycle of Manufacturing Networks in the Mass Customisation Era	Read this article. The research focuses on network design performance in our current era of product customization and personalization. With online order volume steadily increasing, what network design considerations do you feel are necessary to successfully fulfill custom orders?

8.2.1: Number and Location of Distribution Centers	Location, Routing, and Inventory	Read this article. In it, a model is presented to help determine the number of distribution centers, their locations, and capacity among other factors. Among the 15 assumptions presented, which do you feel are most important and least important?

8.2.2: Global Location Center Decisions	Location-Routing for Distribution Centers	Read this article. One objective of this paper is to determine distribution center locations. Compare and contrast the two cases presented.

8.2.3: Allocating Product to Distribution Centers	Coordinated Location, Distribution, and Inventory Decisions in Supply Chain Network Design	Read this article. The goal is to understand optimum product allocation and distribution locations so products are delivered at the lowest possible cost. As you read Part 2, what are some other problems associated with supply chain allocation and distribution?

8.2.4: Vehicle Routing Models	Vehicle Routing Problem for Multiple Product Types, Compartments, and Trips with Soft Time Windows	Read this article. The paper presents a mathematical model to solve vehicle routing challenges. In your own words, explain what vehicle routing is and why it's important to a supply chain.

8.3: 1PL, 2PL, 3PL, 4PL, and 5PL Logistics	Case Studies of LSP Lifecycle Models in Thailand	Read this article. The study covered improvements to customer service logistics through a redesign. Which PL is the most convenient and widely well-known?
	4PL Digital Business Models in Sea Freight Logistics: The Case of FreightHub	Read this case study of a 4PL model.
	Smart and Sustainable Logistics	Despite technological advances and supply chain automation, logistics remains dependent on diverse skills and competencies. They involve office and operations managers, administrative staff, truck drivers, and many physical warehouses. The combination of technology, heavy machinery, and labor makes this part of the supply chain quite complex. Watch this video. It highlights the many different modes of transportation required to move goods around the world. Why do you think logistics factors a large percentage of the cost of a good?

8.4: Domestic and Global Logistics	Logistics Costs and Competitiveness	Read this article. The document examines issues and costs related to domestic and international logistics. Sections 3 and 4 are most applicable here. What are the unique challenges facing domestic and global logistics?

8.5: Green and Reverse Logistics	Rethinking Progress in the Circular Economy	Watch this video. The presentation proposes rethinking how products and components can be repurposed by sending them back to a business for remanufacturing. What consumer items in your possession can be repurposed or remanufactured for another use?

8.6: Service Response Logistics	Supply Chain Emergency Response	Watch this video. It focuses on the critical link of supply chain management and the difficulties in quickly and efficiently delivering donor-supplied goods in emergencies. How can IT and automation help decision-makers in a crisis?

Study Guide: Unit 8	Study Guide: Unit 8

9.1: Demand and Supply Uncertainty in Supply Chains	Analyzing Supply Chain Uncertainty to Deliver Sustainable Operational Performance	Read this study, which surveyed supply chain managers to understand how they address supply chain uncertainty. Section 5 identifies the study's solutions to overcoming uncertainty.

9.1.1: Supply Chain Strategies	Winning Supply Chain Strategies for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses	Watch this video. This webinar recommends strategies to overcome complexities affecting business operations. Five drivers of complexities and uncertainty are presented. How does understanding these drivers help a business be proactive and increase competitive advantage?

9.1.2: Push- and Pull-Based Systems	Development of a Pull Production Control Method in the Metallurgical Industry	Read this article. It covers how understanding a supply chain can improve internal production processes. Pay particular attention to the section that outlines push versus pull. Can you compare and contrast each system?

9.2: Types of Supply Chains	Effectiveness and Efficiency of RFID in Supply Chain Management	Read this article. Sixteen different types of supply chains are presented in Figure 2. Select one type from the High Complex / High Business Impact quadrant, what are some benefits and challenges associated with it?

9.2.1: The Efficient, Responsive, and Agile Continuum	Agile Information Systems for Mastering Supply Chain Uncertainty	Read this chapter. The main objective of this reading is to identify the different strategies and characteristics of supply chains. Pay attention to Figure 1 and the explanation for each. What types of companies do you think use Agile supply chains which deal with evolving and highly innovative products?

9.2.2: The Effects of Demand and Supply	Integrated Production-Inventory Supply Chain Model	Read this article. An integrated production-inventory model is constructed to address supplier, manufacturer, and retailer uncertainties. According to the author, what are the three types of uncertainties in supply chain management?

9.2.3: Agile and Lean Production Processes	Modeling Lean and Agile Approaches: A Western Canadian Forest Company Case Study	Read this article. Both lean and agile principles were tested to determine if they improved performance in the coastal forest industry. While both agile and lean methodologies have obvious differences, in your analysis what are some similarities?

9.3: Supply Chains and Product Types	Aligning Product Strategy to Supply Chain Practices	Read this article. The authors study whether organizational products are aligned with optimal supply chain types. Besides the product, what other aspects must be analyzed when selecting a specific type of supply chain?
	Price-Setting Models for Innovative Products	Modern organizations have abundant choices in selecting the right product supply chain. Functional products are items that are purchased regularly, are widely available from multiple sources, and have long life cycles. Alternatively, innovative products are new to the marketplace, have unpredictable demand, and usually have short life cycles. Read this article. Researchers suggest that products belong to either a functional or innovative category, where innovative products are much more challenging to price. What innovative products do you own, and how do you know you are getting the value you paid for?

9.4: Measuring and Optimizing Supply Chain Performance	Proactive Supply Chain Performance Management with Predictive Analytics	Read this article. A predictive performance management model is introduced to manage complex business network collaborations and minimize uncertainty. Pay attention to the innovative performance management systems characteristics. What other attributes would you add to the list?
	Supply Chain Optimization for Effective Immunization	Supply chain optimization is the employment of processes, tools, and technology to ensure operations are performing at their highest potential. The goal is to deliver quality products to customers at the lowest possible cost and highest profit. To do so, operations managers balance manufacturing, inventory distribution, transportation, fulfillment, and customer service. Watch this video, which combines qualitative and quantitative data to identify strategies for supply chain optimization. One strategy is to employ a new centralized distribution model. What challenges or benefits do you feel they will encounter with this change?

9.5: The Bullwhip Effect	Bullwhip Entropy Analysis and Chaos Control	This article analyzes the bullwhip effect in sales games and consumer returns. Focus on Part 3, Complexity Analysis of the Demand System.
	Modelling the Bullwhip Effect under the Implementation of Supply Chain Management Software	Read this article on using software to model the bullwhip effect.

9.5.1: Variability and the Magnification of Demand	Complexity Assessment of Assembly Supply Chains from the Sustainability Viewpoint	The main point of the paper is to address supply chain networks in terms of sustainability. How can customization of physical networks help to better manage demand?

9.5.2: Distortion, Coordination, and Information Sharing	Information Coordination in Supply Chain Systems	Read this paper. The article reviews the coordination of information in supply chains classified by information types, impact on performance, and information policies. Figure 2 presents the depth of information flow. What should an organization do with this information, given the analysis?

9.6: IT and e-Commerce	e-Commerce and Supply Chain Management in China	Read this article. The authors provide a broad view of decisions on supply chain management concerning e-commerce in China, considering several factors, including consumer access to the internet and telecommunication infrastructure for a given location. Two case studies are included to evaluate the models included in the article. Pay particular attention to the intersection of IT and non-IT considerations for firm supply-chain management strategies.

Study Guide: Unit 9	Study Guide: Unit 9

10.1: Principles and Goals of Project Management	An Overview of Project Management	Read this chapter. It discusses how projects should be managed and explains the project management process along with associated project constraints. Why are interpersonal skills important in managing organizational projects?

10.2: Project Structures	Project Management Organizational Structures	Watch this video. A comparison is made between the three general structures and what they mean. Why would a business restructure its entire organization for a project?

10.3: Work Breakdown Structures, Project Control Charts, and Earned Value Management	Building Control Charts	This video intends to show how control charts can be used to detect problems in a process. When would a control chart be most appropriate to use?

10.3.1: Earned Value Management (EVM)	10 Steps to EVM	Read this article. Despite the 10 steps listed along with explanations, the authors question whether this tool is a worthwhile endeavor because of the time it takes to produce. After going through each step, what benefits can a business reap from conducting this analysis?

10.3.2: EVM Calculations	Earned Value Analysis	Watch this video. It includes a demonstration of calculating an EVM for a specific project. What departments in a business do you think need to participate in generating the numerical and time values?

10.3.3: EVM Charts	An Integrated Efficiency-Risk Approach in Sustainable Project Control	Read this paper, which describes the most common project management tools and then presents a hybrid model combing different elements from each. It then uses the model in a case study analysis. Think about how the hybrid simultaneously controls for model parameters. How does this increase project sustainability and efficiency in the case study?
	Earned Value Management in Microsoft Project 2010	Watch this video. It focuses on creating charts from data inputs. What inferences can you quickly draw by simply looking at an EVM chart?

10.4: Planning Models	Process Models in Design and Development	Read this article. It provides an overview of planning models. Pay particular attention to Figure 1 as it visually provides a global view of planning models. Then review Figures 2 -17 for more in-depth visual planning processes.

10.4.1: The Critical Path Method (CPM) and CPM Sensitivity Analysis	Project Crashing Optimization Strategy with Risk Consideration	Read this article. The study develops a comprehensive evaluation strategy for project management. Section 2.1, Schedule Method-CPM/PERT, suggests that CPM does not consider risk or uncertainty. What would you add to a sensitivity analysis such that it could address risks or uncertainties?

10.4.2: Cost-Time Considerations and Project Crashing	Project Time Compression: Crashing a Project	Watch this video. The presentation demonstrates how this tool can address cost control and time constraints along with the pros and cons of project crashing in general. What other pros and cons can you add?

10.5: Evaluating Tradeoffs Using Probability and Confidence Estimates	Time-Cost-Quality Tradeoff Modeling based on Resource Allocation	Read this article. The paper presents an optimization model that enables managers to effectively evaluate trade-offs related to time, cost, and other competing priorities. Pay particular attention to Section 6 as it provides an illustrated example of building a home.

10.6: Probability and Confidence Estimates of Project Completion	Identifying and Assessing the Risks in the Supply Chain	Read this article. Based on the authors' research, risks related to procurement and suppliers are identified. Focus on Table 1, the hierarchical structure of supply chain risks in 3 levels, and Table 2, risk evaluation criteria.

Study Guide: Unit 10	Study Guide: Unit 10

Study Guide	BUS606 Study Guide

Course Feedback Survey	Course Feedback Survey