Supply Chain Drivers

Supply chain drivers are the factors that determine the performance of a supply chain. They are the key elements that influence the efficiency, responsiveness, and effectiveness of the supply chain. The five primary supply chain drivers are:

Facilities: The physical locations where products are produced, stored, and distributed. The number, size, and location of these facilities impact transportation costs, lead times, and customer service levels.

Inventory: The amount of inventory held in the supply chain. This includes raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods. Inventory levels impact costs, customer service levels, and supply chain responsiveness.

Transportation: The mode of transportation used to move products through the supply chain. This includes trucks, ships, planes, and trains. Transportation costs, lead times, and reliability impact supply chain performance.

Information: The flow of information across the supply chain. This includes data related to demand, inventory levels, production schedules, and logistics. Effective information flow is critical for coordinating activities across the supply chain and ensuring that products are delivered on time and meet customer expectations.

Sourcing: The selection of suppliers and the management of supplier relationships. The quality, cost, and reliability of suppliers impact the performance of the supply chain.

effective management of these supply chain drivers can improve supply chain performance, reduce costs, and enhance customer service. It is important to consider these drivers when designing and managing supply chains.

Measuring Supply Chain Management

Measuring supply chain management performance is critical to evaluating the effectiveness of the supply chain and identifying areas for improvement. The following are some commonly used performance metrics for measuring supply chain management:

Inventory turnover: This metric measures the number of times inventory is sold and replaced over a period of time. A higher inventory turnover indicates that inventory is being managed efficiently and that the supply chain is responding effectively to changes in demand.

Order fulfillment cycle time: This metric measures the time it takes to fulfill an order from the time it is placed to the time it is delivered. A shorter order fulfillment cycle time indicates that the supply chain is more responsive and that customer service levels are higher.

Perfect order fulfillment: This metric measures the percentage of orders that are delivered to the customer on time, complete, and without any defects. A higher perfect order fulfillment rate indicates that the supply chain is meeting customer expectations and delivering high-quality products.

Supply chain cost: This metric measures the total cost of the supply chain, including the cost of inventory, transportation, facilities, and other expenses. Lower supply chain costs indicate that the supply chain is operating efficiently and that resources are being used effectively.

Cash-to-cash cycle time: This metric measures the time it takes to convert cash into inventory, and then back into cash through sales. A shorter cash-to-cash cycle time indicates that the supply chain is operating efficiently and that cash flow is being managed effectively.

Return on investment: This metric measures the return on investment for the supply chain, taking into account the costs associated with the supply chain and the revenue generated. A higher return on investment indicates that the supply chain is generating a positive return and contributing to the overall success of the business.

These metrics can be used to evaluate the performance of the supply chain and identify areas for improvement. By monitoring and analyzing these metrics, supply chain managers can make informed decisions and take actions to improve supply chain performance.