No formal pre-requisites are defined. However, a basic knowledge of Production Management is suggested.
During the course, the student acquires the necessary elements and concepts to critically analyze and understand the structure, dynamics, relationships, and logistics configurations of modern supply chains.
At the end of the course, the student has an extensive overview of the main topics that compose the typical knowledge of a supply chain manager with respect to network configuration and management.
The course provides both theoretical notions and practical insights allowing the student to understand how real supply chains operate.
The student learns the specific language used in the supply chain field, which enables him/her to communicate appropriately in the workplace.
During the course, some seminars - held by managers and business representatives - are organized in order to offer students opportunities for discussion and contextualization of what learned in class. Further communication on this point will follow during the course.
The course contributes to the educational objectives of the course of study related to the technological-industrial area, in particular with reference to the design and management of production, logistics and distribution systems.
1. Introduction, definitions, and basic concepts: Supply chain and SCM definitions; Context and background.
2. Supply Chain strategies: Push-pull supply chain; Lean vs agile supply chains.
3. Supply Chain network design: facility location; determinants of facility location; facility location models.
4. Main factors and models in designing the supply chain: service levels, capacity, transportation, facilities roles, flexibility, distribution, and routing.
5. Practical applications of optimization models. Software for solving network design problems.
6. Inventory management in multi-echelon supply chain.
7. Supply chain simulation for network design and robustness assessment.
The course contents are discussed in lectures and case discussions, with particular attention to the interaction with the students who have the opportunity to formulate questions and propose topics for further discussion. The course is structured according to a problem-based approach, in which lectures start with the discussion of a problem. Particular emphasis is devoted to practical applications of optimization models and simulation.
Lectures aim to introduce and discuss the methods and the principles of supply chain network design.
The course material consists mainly of the slides available on the course page on the University website. Such slides are complemented with further readings from the recommended books in the bibliography. The slides serve as a support to the classroom discussion: therefore, during the discussion in the classroom, further details not present on the slides may be provided.
A software application for solving network design problems will be also provided to students.
The password to access the material published on the course web page is communicated during the first lecture of the course. If unable to attend the first lesson, please contact the professor by e-mail.
The exam consists of two parts: a written test (mandatory) and a project work (optional). The test is mandatory and deals with multiple-choice and open-ended questions which involve theory and concepts related to all the course contents.
In particular, the standard written test is composed of:
- 25 multiple-choice questions (worth 1 point each)
- 2 open question (worth 2 points each)
To pass the exam, at least 60% of the available points should be obtained.
The optional project work consists in solving a problem provided during the course and presenting the solution in a 10-minute presentation. The project work should be carried out in groups of 3-4 students.
The exam rules for non-attending students are the same as for attending students.
Non-attending students are however invited to contact the professor to evaluate any supplementary materials.