Domain: Supply Chain
Question:
"Imagine this is November 2019 and you are the Supply Chain Director for an African based multinational business producing electric motorcycles (EV bikes), sourcing most components from China and India. Reports of Covid-19 emerging in China raise alarms about possible supply chain disruptions. At the same time, your commercial team forecasts exceptional 2020 sales, driven by a confirmed bulk order from a major ride-hailing service. 
 
 Given that shipments from Asia require approximately 90 days, including customs clearance and any delay poses a significant risk to meeting delivery commitments. Based on the recommendations outlined in the Garnier Report 2021, outline a step-by-step approach detailing the measures you would implement to protect operations, ensure on-time order fulfillment, and sustain business momentum amid escalating global uncertainties."

Expected points in a correct answer:
State that shipments from Asia require approximately 90 days, including customs clearance.
State that any delay poses a significant risk to meeting delivery commitments.
State that exceptional 2020 sales are forecasted due to a confirmed bulk order from a major ride-hailing service.
State that reports of COVID-19 emerging in China raise alarms about possible supply chain disruptions.
In Step 2, state that one inventory management strategy described during the pandemic is to centralize purchasing and inventory management rather than having individual sites manage it themselves.
In Step 1, state that accurate demand forecasting is critical to effective supply chain management.
In Step 4, state that digitization trends include robotics.
In Step 4, state that digitization trends include automation.
In Step 4, state that digitization trends include evolving technologies such as IoT.
In Step 4, state that digitization trends include real-time data.
In Step 3, state that safety stock is used deliberately as a buffer to protect continuity.
In Step 3, state that carrying too much safety stock can snowball.
In Step 3, state that when demand surges, suppliers may respond by reactively increasing their safety stock.
In Step 3, state that companies often try to buffer inventory with safety stock to plan for uncertainty.
In Step 5, state that real-time data is a benefit of using IoT technology.
In Step 4, state that digitization trends include blockchain.
In Step 8, state that digital assets can help supply chain managers understand and analyze situations digitally.
In Step 7, state that optionality is described in terms of modes of transportation.
In Step 7, state that optionality is described in terms of supplier diversification.
In Step 7, state that optionality is described in terms of manufacturing locations.
In Step 6, state that for JIT to work successfully, demand must be precisely monitored at all times.
In Step 8, state that digital assets can help supply chain managers take action within the supply chain before incidents can occur.
In Step 8, state that digital commerce can help create optionality in supply chains by producing digital assets that help create a digital twin securely and in real time.
In Step 8, state that the growing use of blockchain technology can help create optionality in supply chains by producing digital assets that help create a digital twin securely and in real time.
In Step 5, state that legacy systems tend to be the main barrier to moving quickly with IoT adoption.
In Step 1, state that dynamic operations planning is essential for achieving supply chain resilience as consumer behavior and demand continue to shift rapidly.
In Step 1, state that the highlighted stress points include supply chain transparency.
In Step 1, state that sales projections are critical to effective supply chain management.
In Step 1, state that the pandemic highlighted primary stress points within global supply chains.
In Step 1, state that unified operations planning is essential for achieving supply chain resilience as consumer behavior and demand continue to shift rapidly.
In Step 5, state that real-time visibility can support planning in real time based on inbound inventory visibility.
In Step 5, state that real-time visibility can support staffing in real time based on inbound inventory visibility.
In Step 5, state that managers require more precise location-based information for service delivery alerts.
In Step 5, state that managers require more precise location-based information for real-time inventory tracking.
In Step 4, state that the first step many companies are taking toward automation is focusing on digitizing internal processes.
In Step 4, state that leaders are being forced to seek new technologies and solutions to overcome the challenges of an increasingly complex environment.
In Step 1, state that unified financial planning is essential for achieving supply chain resilience as consumer behavior and demand continue to shift rapidly.
In Step 1, state that dynamic financial planning is essential for achieving supply chain resilience as consumer behavior and demand continue to shift rapidly.
In Step 1, state that the highlighted stress points include inventory management.
In Step 6, state that underestimating demand can lead to lost sales.
In Step 6, state that underestimating demand can lead to empty shelves.
In Step 7, state that companies are focusing on diversifying their supplier base to help combat supply chain disruptions.
In Step 6, state that underestimating demand can lead to lower profits.
In Step 6, state that a small miscalculation can have a substantial adverse impact on business operations.
In Step 6, state that some companies are shifting to just-in-time inventory to keep the carrying cost of inventory off company financials.
In Step 6, state that just-in-time requires technology that allows inventory to be tracked in real time.
In Step 8, state that creating the supply action at the point of discovery can accelerate the supply action.
In Step 8, state that creating the supply action at the point of discovery can accelerate the repair.
In Step 8, state that creating the supply action at the point of discovery can eliminate dirty data because it happens right at the point of discovery.
In Step 7, state that companies are focusing on reshoring manufacturing to help combat supply chain disruptions.
In Step 8, state that the report describes trying to create efficiency to compress lead time.
In Step 9, state that real-time data and the Internet of Things make it easier and more important to have clear visibility into inventory across all channels.
In Step 9, state that tracking inventory in real time provides greater transparency.
In Step 9, state that tracking inventory in real time provides greater accountability.
In Step 10, state that data-driven tasks and responsibilities started emerging based on new technology, outdating traditional roles and responsibilities.
In Step 10, state that increased technology usage and labor trends driven by COVID-19 are exacerbating these shifts.
In Step 10, state that new collaboration tools enable more efficient work.
In Step 10, state that new collaboration tools enable real-time communication with suppliers at on-site and off-site locations.
In Step 10, state that there is a changing need for new skills due to emerging technology.
In Step 10, state that there is a changing need for workforce education due to emerging technology.
In Step 1, state that forecast inaccuracies can quickly amplify availability issues further down the supply chain.
In Step 3, state that carrying too much safety stock can contribute to the bullwhip effect.
In Step 3, state that the bullwhip effect is described as initial demand continuing to inflate as it moves down the supply chain.
In the Conclusion, state that carrying too much safety stock can snowball and contribute to the bullwhip effect.
In Step 1, state that in periods of sudden demand, there may be an increased risk of inaccurate forecasts due to incomplete information.
In Step 2, state that centralized visibility supports understanding demand.
In Step 2, state that centralized visibility supports ensuring inventory availability.
In Step 2, state that centralized visibility supports understanding the forecast.
In Step 3, state that the risk of over-buffering is actively managed.
In Step 4, state that digitizing internal processes helps make supply chain networks more transparent.
In Step 4, state that digitizing internal processes helps make supply chain networks more agile.
In Step 4, state that increased access to real-time data helps improve workflow processes.
In Step 4, state that increased access to real-time data helps improve supply chain efficiencies.
In Step 1, state that the highlighted stress points include risk management.
In Step 5, state that real-time data reduces reliance on manual scanning.
In Step 5, state that real-time data reduces reliance on manual updates.
In Step 6, state that the pandemic highlighted one of JIT's biggest risks as its reliance on accuracy and precision.
In Step 5, state that RFID technology can enable inventorying a product when it hits a dock where scanning can occur.
In Step 7, state that companies are thinking about diversifying supplier networks to reduce risk rather than relying on one supplier.
In Step 7, state that closer suppliers may be considered even at a higher cost to reduce disruption risk.
In Step 8, state that a digital supply chain can enable shifting production when a manufacturing location is shut down by passing a digital asset and having it manufactured elsewhere.
In Step 7, state that supply chain experts noted the importance of risk management strategies that focus on developing the ability to quickly create optionality within global supply chains.
In Step 9, state that effective supply chain management depends on open communication.
In Step 9, state that effective supply chain management depends on quick access to information and insights.
In Step 9, state that tracking inventory in real time enables monitoring whether items were delivered on time.
In Step 9, state that tracking inventory in real time enables monitoring whether items were delivered intact.
In Step 10, state that broader technology adoption enables more efficient work.
In Step 10, state that broader technology adoption enables real-time communication with suppliers at on-site and off-site locations.
In the Conclusion, state that the approach prioritizes risk management as described in the Grainger report.
In Step 9, state that effective supply chain management depends on visibility.
In the Conclusion, state that the approach prioritizes inventory planning discipline as described in the Grainger report.
In the Conclusion, state that the approach prioritizes supply chain transparency as described in the Grainger report.
In the Conclusion, state that some companies shift to JIT to keep the carrying cost of inventory off company financials.
In the Conclusion, state that JIT relies on accuracy and precision and carries risk if demand is miscalculated.
In the Conclusion, state that digital assets are described as enabling action within the supply chain before incidents can occur.
In the Conclusion, state that digital assets and digital twins are described as enabling optionality securely and in real time.
In the Conclusion, state that JIT risk includes underestimating demand leading to empty shelves, lost sales, and lower profits.
In the Conclusion, state that safety stock is used to plan for uncertainty.
In the Conclusion, state that service delivery alerts are enabled by more precise location-based information needs described in the report.
In the Conclusion, state that real-time inventory tracking is enabled by more precise location-based information needs described in the report.
In the Conclusion, state that digitization using real-time data and IoT is used to improve supply chain efficiencies.
In the Conclusion, state that digitization using real-time data and IoT is used to improve workflow processes.
In the Conclusion, state that optionality is described in terms of supplier diversification.
In the Conclusion, state that resilience is supported by optionality within global supply chains.
In the Conclusion, state that optionality is described in terms of modes of transportation.
In the Conclusion, state that optionality is described in terms of manufacturing locations.
In Step 1, state that planning must consider supply.
In Step 1, state that planning must consider demand.
In Step 1, state that planning must consider production capacity.