Assignment

Assignment: Evaluating Supply Chain Performance Metrics

Objective:

This assignment aims to apply the concepts from the article "Frameworks for Supply Chain Performance" by evaluating a real-world company's supply chain performance measures. Students will analyze how well these measures align with the frameworks discussed in the article, assessing their completeness and effectiveness.

Assignment Details:

1. Company Selection:

   • Choose a company that publishes or makes available its supply chain performance metrics and/or key performance indicators (KPIs) publicly. This could be through annual reports, sustainability reports, or other publicly available documents.

2. Data Collection:

   • Gather the relevant performance metrics published by the selected company. This could include metrics related to efficiency, quality, flexibility, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, among others.

3. Framework Comparison:

   • Compare the company's performance measures against the frameworks for supply chain performance discussed in the articles. Consider the following aspects:

     • Completeness: Are all critical aspects [as proposed in the articles] of supply chain performance covered by the company’s metrics? Are there any significant gaps?

     • Effectiveness: How effective do these measures appear to be in providing a comprehensive view of the company’s supply chain performance? Are they aligned with the company's strategic goals?  Note, that the latter question may be hard to ascertain.

4. Analysis and Reflection:

   • Critically analyze the completeness and effectiveness of the company's supply chain performance measures. Consider the following questions in your analysis:

     • Which elements of the framework are well-represented, and which are missing or underrepresented?

     • How might the company improve its performance measurement system to better align with the framework?

     • What impact do these performance measures have on the company's overall supply chain strategy and decision-making?

1. The Deliverable:

   • Write a report (5+ pages) summarizing your findings. Include the following sections:

     • Introduction: Briefly describe the selected company and the purpose of your analysis.

     • Performance Metrics Overview: Summarize the company’s published performance measures.

     • Framework Comparison: Detail your comparison of the company’s metrics with the framework, highlighting strengths and weaknesses. This should be the bulk of your write-up.

     • Recommendations: Provide your recommendations for how the company might improve its supply chain performance measurement system.  Note, that this should be based on your comparison, not conjecture.

     • Conclusion: Briefly summarize your key findings and the importance of comprehensive and effective supply chain performance measurement.

Evaluation Criteria (20 total points, 5 points each):

• Completeness of Analysis: How thoroughly did you compare the company’s measures with the framework?

• Critical Thinking: How well did you identify gaps and suggest improvements?

• Clarity and Organization: Is your report well-structured and clearly written?

• Use of Evidence: Did you appropriately use the company’s published data and the framework from the article to support your analysis?