The exam covers chapters 1 thru 6. It has about 4 questions, some of which are like small cases, and others which are problems or require short answers. Keep your answers brief, but by all means write something. If you are working a problem, make sure you show me how you are doing it. I will read every word, and use what’s there to assess whether you know something or not. don’t worry about getting the exact answer to a math problem. I’m interested in the method you used.
You may have a single sheet, both sides, any size type, of whatever information you want for the exam.
Chapter 1: What is a supply chain? How is it different from a distribution system? What moves in a supply chain? Material and what else? What is collaboration and why is it important in modern supply chains. What is the total cost approach, and why important? What is the systems approach, and why important? some terms: postponement, cash spin, integrated service providers, dwell time.
Chapter 2: What is the logsitics value proposition? Why is customer service a key part of logistics? What are some dimensions of customer service important in logistics? What are the major work components of logistics professionals? What kinds of operations happen in logsitics networks? Can you identify them in a description of a logistics situation? what is the logistics performance cycle, how can we measure it, and why is uncertainty a problem?
Chapter 3: Customer accommodation — what is it? How is it different from traditional customer service? what are some measures of customer service, and how are they figured? What do we mean by customer satisfaction and how can we measure it? Is it what we strive for in logistics? why is it a limited concept? How do we achieve customer success? What does it mean we should be concerned about? Forecasting: a key element. What is time series forecasting, how do we do it? Seasonal effect, trend analysis, deseasonalization. Sample problems; you should know how to do the computations.
Chapter 4: Procurement and manufacturing: what are the new goals of procurement in the modern supply chain? What is TCO? What do we do differently now when we procure materials for our process or our business? When should we make design changes, and what does that say about who should be involved and when? What is the pareto principle, how does it apply to managing purchasing? Manufacturing: what is competency based on? (5 dimensions, what are they?) What are three three-letter manufacturing strategies? Give an example of each. What is the total cost of manufacturing, what are its components, and how does the cost per unit depend on volume, and the strategy (see above)?
Chapter 5: Info Technology: What is a transaction system? A control system or management system? a decision analysis system? strategic planning system? who uses each? what are its characteristics? see p 101. What is an ERP system, who has them? EDI and communication: general outlines, some of the issues. RFID and RFDC systems, where might they be applied, what is driving their introduction? See the powerpoint slides for some overview of how the various systems link together. What is the role of a CRM system?
Chapter 6: Inventory: what is inventory? why do we need it? wha tis an inventory policy? what decisions do we need to make? What is a service level, how do we measure it? Know how to compute EOQ, know how to figure inventory cost (carrying cost, order cost) for any order quantity, How to decide when to order? ROP, Safety stock, how to determine safety stock for a specific service level, why have safety stock? What is a quantity discount, and when should we take it? (how to figure out)? What is the standard deviation of demand over lead time (combined), and how do we figure it out? See slides, work problems. ABC classification and what it is good for.
OMIT THE SECTIONS ON PERIODIC INVENTORY REVIEW, REACTIVE METHODS, PLANNING METHODS, DRP, AND COLLABORATIVE INVENTORY REPLENISHMENT! PP 154-161– WE DID NOT DISCUSS THESE AT ALL!
Hope this helps.
bruce
Supply Chain and Logistics 