OPM 505: The Supply Chain Strategy Process – A Practical Approach

Contents
This module provides a practice-oriented perspective on the development and implementation of supply chain strategies, drawing extensively on the experience of a senior supply chain manager. It offers students direct insights into how supply chain strategy is shaped, discussed, and executed in real-world corporate environments.
The course begins with an overview of global trends and challenges and discusses how these factors influence corporate decision-making. It then examines the relations­hip between corporate strategy and supply chain strategy, illustrating how supply chains contribute to competitive advantage in practice.
Building on this foundation, the module provides a structured deep dive into the key elements of supply chain strategy. These include defining vision, mission, and performance targets, as well as making strategic choices in core areas such as service design, inventory and supply structures, strategic procurement, and logistics networks. Additional sessions address supporting and cross-functional elements, including governance, management systems, and planning processes. Throughout these sessions, the instructor integrates real-life examples, practical frameworks, and lessons learned from industry experience.
The module also covers the challenges of strategy implementation, including organizational alignment, change management, and capability development. Particular emphasis is placed on trans­lating strategic intent into actionable decisions and managing trade-offs in complex, real-world settings. The course concludes with an integrated recap and an interactive career dialogue, offering insights into roles and career paths in supply chain management and consulting.

Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, students will:

• understand how global trends and business realities shape supply chain strategies,
• be able to explain the role of supply chain strategy within the broader corporate context,
• develop a structured understanding of how supply chain strategies are formulated and implemented in practice,
• be familiar with key strategic design elements, including service, inventory, sourcing, logistics, and planning,
• be able to analyze and evaluate real-world supply chain strategies and derive actionable implications,
• understand typical challenges in strategy implementation and how they are addressed in practice,
• gain practical insights into roles and career paths in supply chain management.

Necessary prerequisites
–

Recommended prerequisites
Basic knowledge in supply chain management