Learning path
Supply Chain Management learning path: everything to study, topic by topic
Comprehensive supply chain management assessment covering fundamentals, procurement, logistics, demand planning, risk management, digital transformation, and strategic network design.
Short answer
To learn Supply Chain Management, work through 7 modules and 20 topics in the order they build on each other. It starts with Supply Chain Fundamentals, then moves on to Procurement & Sourcing and Logistics & Distribution. Use the map as a checklist, or measure your level and study only what is missing.
What you will study
Topics are grouped by module. Open one to see its objectives and key concepts.
1 · Supply Chain Fundamentals3 topics
Supply Chain Overview
Understanding end-to-end supply chain structure including material, information, and financial flows from raw material sourcing to end-customer delivery
Objectives
- Describe the three flows in a supply chain and how they interact
- Identify all participants in a supply chain from raw material to end customer
Key concepts
- material flow
- information flow
- financial flow
- upstream vs downstream
- supply chain participants
SCOR Model
Applying the Supply Chain Operations Reference model to structure, measure, and benchmark supply chain performance across Plan, Source, Make, Deliver, Return, and Enable
Objectives
- Map a supply chain to the six SCOR processes and identify gaps
- Use SCOR Level 1 metrics to benchmark supply chain performance
Key concepts
- SCOR framework
- Plan
- Source
- Make
- Deliver
- Return
- Enable
- SCOR metrics
Supply Chain Mapping
Creating detailed supply chain maps that capture nodes, links, lead times, inventory positions, and critical dependencies across tiers
Objectives
- Map a multi-tier supply chain identifying all critical nodes and dependencies
- Calculate end-to-end lead time across a supply chain network
Key concepts
- tier mapping
- node analysis
- lead time mapping
- critical path
- dependency identification
2 · Procurement & Sourcing3 topics
Strategic Sourcing
Developing sourcing strategies using Kraljic matrix, supplier evaluation, competitive bidding, and contract negotiation to optimize cost, quality, and reliability
Objectives
- Apply the Kraljic matrix to categorize spend and define sourcing strategies
- Design an RFP process that evaluates suppliers on total value, not just price
Key concepts
- Kraljic matrix
- sourcing strategy
- RFQ/RFP
- supplier evaluation
- competitive bidding
- single vs multi-source
Supplier Management
Building and managing supplier relationships through scorecards, performance reviews, development programs, and collaborative planning frameworks like VMI and CPFR
Objectives
- Design a supplier scorecard that drives the right behaviors and outcomes
- Evaluate when to implement VMI or CPFR with a strategic supplier
Key concepts
- supplier scorecards
- VMI
- CPFR
- supplier development
- performance reviews
- relationship segmentation
Total Cost of Ownership Analysis
Calculating total cost of ownership beyond unit price to include transportation, quality costs, carrying costs, risk premiums, and hidden procurement expenses
Objectives
- Build a TCO model that captures all cost components for a sourcing decision
- Use should-cost modeling to validate supplier pricing
Key concepts
- TCO
- landed cost
- quality costs
- carrying costs
- risk premiums
- should-cost modeling
3 · Logistics & Distribution3 topics
Transportation Management
Optimizing freight mode selection, routing, carrier management, and transportation cost analysis across inbound and outbound logistics
Objectives
- Select the optimal freight mode by balancing cost, speed, and reliability
- Design a carrier management program that improves OTIF performance
Key concepts
- mode selection
- TMS
- freight optimization
- carrier management
- routing algorithms
- OTIF
Warehouse Operations
Designing warehouse layouts, managing receiving, put-away, picking, packing, and shipping processes with WMS technology and labor optimization
Objectives
- Design a warehouse layout that minimizes travel time and maximizes throughput
- Select the right picking strategy based on order profile analysis
Key concepts
- WMS
- slotting optimization
- pick strategies
- cross-docking
- receiving processes
- labor planning
Last-Mile Delivery
Optimizing last-mile delivery operations including route optimization, delivery density, customer experience, and reverse logistics
Objectives
- Design a last-mile delivery model that balances cost with customer experience
- Build a reverse logistics process that recovers value efficiently
Key concepts
- route optimization
- delivery density
- customer time windows
- reverse logistics
- last-mile cost
- proof of delivery
4 · Demand & Inventory Planning3 topics
Demand Forecasting
Applying statistical and collaborative forecasting methods to predict demand, manage forecast accuracy, and mitigate the bullwhip effect across supply chain tiers
Objectives
- Select the right forecasting method based on data availability and product lifecycle
- Identify and mitigate bullwhip effect amplification across supply chain tiers
Key concepts
- statistical forecasting
- collaborative forecasting
- forecast accuracy
- bullwhip effect
- demand sensing
- bias detection
Inventory Optimization
Optimizing inventory levels using EOQ, ROP, safety stock calculations, ABC/XYZ classification, and Kanban systems to balance service levels and carrying costs
Objectives
- Calculate optimal order quantities and reorder points for different demand patterns
- Design a Kanban system that maintains service levels with minimal inventory investment
Key concepts
- EOQ
- ROP
- safety stock
- ABC/XYZ classification
- Kanban
- JIT
- carrying cost
- service level
S&OP and Integrated Business Planning
Designing and running Sales & Operations Planning and Integrated Business Planning processes that align demand, supply, financial plans, and strategic initiatives
Objectives
- Design an S&OP process that produces actionable decisions every cycle
- Extend S&OP into IBP by integrating financial and strategic planning horizons
Key concepts
- S&OP
- IBP
- demand review
- supply review
- executive S&OP
- consensus planning
- gap closure
5 · Supply Chain Risk3 topics
Supply Chain Risk Assessment
Identifying, categorizing, and quantifying supply chain risks across supplier, logistics, demand, geopolitical, and regulatory dimensions
Objectives
- Build a supply chain risk register with quantified probability and impact scores
- Identify concentration risks across geographic, supplier, and modal dimensions
Key concepts
- risk identification
- risk categorization
- probability-impact matrix
- supplier risk scoring
- geopolitical risk
- concentration risk
Supply Chain Resilience Design
Designing resilient supply chains through multi-sourcing, buffer strategies, network redundancy, and agility capabilities that balance cost with resilience
Objectives
- Design a multi-sourcing strategy that provides resilience without excessive cost
- Position strategic inventory buffers to absorb supply chain shocks
Key concepts
- multi-sourcing
- buffer strategies
- network redundancy
- agility vs efficiency
- nearshoring
- dual sourcing
- strategic inventory positioning
Disruption Response
Managing supply chain disruptions through rapid response protocols, alternative sourcing activation, demand shaping, and stakeholder communication
Objectives
- Execute a disruption response that minimizes customer impact within 48 hours
- Design allocation strategies that protect strategic customers during shortage
Key concepts
- disruption response protocols
- war room operations
- alternative sourcing
- demand shaping
- allocation strategies
- crisis communication
6 · Digital Supply Chain3 topics
Supply Chain Visibility
Building end-to-end supply chain visibility through control towers, IoT sensors, track-and-trace systems, and multi-tier supplier transparency
Objectives
- Design a control tower architecture that provides real-time visibility across tiers
- Select the right track-and-trace technology based on supply chain requirements
Key concepts
- control tower
- IoT sensors
- track and trace
- multi-tier visibility
- real-time monitoring
- event management
Supply Chain Analytics
Applying descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics to supply chain decision-making including demand sensing, risk prediction, and optimization
Objectives
- Build a supply chain analytics maturity roadmap from descriptive to prescriptive
- Apply predictive models to improve demand sensing and risk anticipation
Key concepts
- descriptive analytics
- predictive analytics
- prescriptive analytics
- demand sensing
- AI/ML in supply chain
- digital twin
Supply Chain Automation
Automating supply chain processes through robotics, autonomous vehicles, RPA for procurement, and AI-driven planning and execution systems
Objectives
- Build a business case for warehouse automation that accounts for full lifecycle costs
- Design a phased automation roadmap that manages workforce transition
Key concepts
- warehouse robotics
- autonomous vehicles
- RPA in procurement
- AI-driven planning
- dark warehouses
- human-automation balance
7 · Expert SCM2 topics
Supply Chain Network Design
Designing optimal supply chain networks including facility location, capacity allocation, flow optimization, and total landed cost modeling across global networks
Objectives
- Design a global supply chain network that optimizes total cost while meeting service targets
- Run scenario models to evaluate network alternatives under different demand and risk assumptions
Key concepts
- facility location
- capacity allocation
- flow optimization
- total landed cost
- greenfield analysis
- network simulation
- scenario modeling
Supply Chain Strategy
Defining supply chain strategy aligned to business strategy including segmentation, operating model design, sustainability integration, and competitive differentiation
Objectives
- Define a differentiated supply chain strategy that creates competitive advantage
- Design a segmented supply chain that serves different customer needs with tailored service models
Key concepts
- supply chain segmentation
- operating model
- sustainability
- circular supply chain
- competitive differentiation
- supply chain maturity model
Levels: Junior, Mid, Senior, and Expert
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Frequently asked questions
Where should I start studying Supply Chain Management?
Start with Supply Chain Fundamentals: Supply Chain Overview, SCOR Model, and Supply Chain Mapping. The map orders topics by what they depend on, so each one prepares the next.
How long does a full Supply Chain Management assessment take?
A full assessment of this path takes about 50 minutes. Study time depends on where you start; a diagnostic shows which topics you can skip.
Do I need an account to use this page?
No. The map, objectives and key concepts are open. You only need an account to be measured, get your gap by topic and receive a plan.