5 Key Supply Chain Models and Methods that are Used to Analyze Supply Chains
1. Descriptive Analytics
This is the best type of supply chain management analysis that you can use to check out the past performance of the supply chain. It will tell you what has happened, so you can check if the results are matching with your plans and objectives. This method uses data mining to gather raw information from the supply chain. Summarizing it and presenting it in a compact form that will allow you get a clear image of the desired period in the past.
2. Predictive Analytics
If you want to see what might happen in the future, this is the method you should use. As the name suggests, predictive analytics will form potential scenarios that may take place in a month, two, a year from now. Although it is never guaranteed that they will happen exactly as predictive by this method. Even so, you will know what to expect, in a significant proportion, so you can adjust your plans accordingly.
3. Prescriptive Analytics
In case you want to see what could happen and get useful pieces of advice on what to do if future scenarios come to life. This method will help out. In other words, you will be advised what to do according to what the method predicts to happen in the future, based on the acquired data.
4. Performance Metrics
This supply chain analysis method is good to use when you want to see how the supply chain is performing. Just do have in mind that there are several metrics and each of them provides a different type of information. So, you need to decide which metrics are most useful and relevant to your business, so you can keep an eye on those in particular.
5. Hybrid Performance Measurement
This is a more complex form of chain analysis, as it utilizes several methods in the same framework so that the business owner can take the best decisions. Thus, a hierarchy of objectives is used, together with mathematical equations and simulations that should present. Hypothetically, what could be possible if certain conditions are met.
Conclusion
With the help of these supply chain analysis method and models, you will be able to take a closer look at how a supply chain evolves and performs. Of course, you need to find the best method that works in the case of your particular supply chain and not be afraid to adjust these methods. But only if you realize that the obtain results are not as detailed as expected. As you can see, there is the situation in which hybrid methods were utilized in order to take as many advantages as possible from several methods at the same time. Supply chain management analysis is discussed in more details in the logistics certification, supply chain certification, and mba supply chain management programs. These programs are offerd 100% online by AIMS’ Institute of Supply Chain Management.
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