Question

Given multiple tools and techniques for analyzing and controlling the flow of supply chain activities- process mapping, process analysis, and customer relationship management (CRM)- recommend how to improve supply chain effectiveness whil increasing customer repsonse time and service levels.

Develop a process flowchart and detemine how effective the supply chain process is in achieving designed goals.

Detemine how to change a process to improve supply chain effectiveness and efficiency by revising and war designing a new replacement process

Explain how oprations and supply chain management fufills specific levels of organizational commitment to consumers.

Define the relational aspects of customer satisfaction, customer relationship management, and operations and supply chain strategies.

Answer 1

1.) Given multiple tools and techniques for analysing and controlling the flow of supply chain activities- process mapping, process analysis, and customer relationship management (CRM)- recommend how to improve supply chain effectiveness while increasing customer response time and service levels.

To improve supply chain effectiveness while increasing customer response time and service levels:-

• Identify areas where technology can help to streamline processes
• Source the suppliers collaboratively and with strategy
• Optimize inventory to reduce cost
• Assign contract management to supply chain associates
• Establish ‘green initiatives’ and support sustainability
• Improve customer service through Just-in-time
• Manage uncertainty through supply chain flexibility

2.) Develop a process flowchart and determine how effective the supply chain process is in achieving designed goals.

Companies design the SCM process according to their product flow optimization process. The basic flowchart in supply chain management consists of the following:-

Plan - Deliver/Source - Make - Deliver - Return

The effectiveness of supply chain management can be summarised as following:-

• Improves Material and product flow assuring that it takes less time for the goods to reach the end consumer
• Improved cash flow in the value chain allowing companies to evaluate their current processes
• Repeatability and consistency of the processes to achieve the business goals
• Optimizing overall performance of the business ensuring growth

3.) Determine how to change a process to improve supply chain effectiveness and efficiency by revising and war designing a new replacement process

• Select the optimum ERP system that would benefit the business in the best possible way
• Demand planning beginning at the end of cycle adopting a demand driven model
• Building an agile supply chain with integrated execution and rapid planning
• Aligning supply chain business goals with the corporate business goals
• Embed sustainability into supply chain management process

4.) Explain how operations and supply chain management fulfils specific levels of organizational commitment to consumers.

• Committing certain percentage to trusted outlets and prioritizing allocations
• Strategically organizing launching of new or volatile products
• Optimise positioning to channelize products
• Predicting early stage demand
• Investing in the accurate infrastructure and people.
• End-to-end visibility and association in a multi-tier environment
• Making quick delivery promises that the customer can rely on

5.) Define the relational aspects of customer satisfaction, customer relationship management, and operations and supply chain strategies.

The ability of an organisation to add on a service covering to the core product, overcome the constraints linked to time and place of distribution and thereby, satisfying the customers’ need with an advantage over the other players or competitors in the market place, is the prime concern in today’s context. This could take numerous forms as those branding with exclusive benefits, extensive knowledge exchange between organisation and customers, control of knowledgeable properties, exclusive supplier-buyer interface and relationship management with customers, employees and other value chain partners resulting in streamlining the flow of entire supply chain. SCM pursues to enhance supply whereas CRM seeks to improve demand. SCM is cost focused and deals with production and execution while CRM is revenue focused and involves identifying and responding to customer needs.