Day 1 - Session 1: Theoretical discussion about the fundamental concepts of supply chain management

Supply chain management (SCM) will be introduced as a concept and the main topics will be discussed to create a “big picture” view of what SCM entails. Topics that will be covered include the supply chain flows (i.e. information, goods and services, and finances), supply chain mapping, broad supply chain strategies as well as supply chain processes (e.g. sourcing, logistics, operations, distribution, etc.) and supply chain relationships both internal and external to the organisation.

Day 1 - Session 2: Introducing the board game – the basic level

The board game consists of several levels. In this session, the basic level of the board game is introduced and linked to the theoretical discussion of the first session. The basic level of the game will be played and supply chain related topics will be discussed as they arise. Delegates will form teams. Decision-making (and alterative) options or trade-offs will also be discussed and the topics will be applied to real business examples. The session will close with a reflection of the learning and playing experience.  

Day 1 - Session 3: Playing the board game - advanced level

The basic level of the board game will be used as an introduction to the more advanced level of the board game. In this session, the scenario for the more advanced level is created. Delegates will be assigned managerial roles in their teams. Each team will receive contracts that need to be fulfilled as well as planning documents to start planning their supply chains. The process will be facilitated. The game will be played over several rounds and during each round teams will have to plan and develop their supply chain strategies. In doing so, they will have to develop a sourcing and logistics plan as well as a production plan, while keeping record of their finances and assessing their supply chain performance. The game may not be completed during this session. The session will close with a reflection of what was learned and experienced. SCM related topics are discussed after each round. These topics will be experienced during the game play and will often lead to additional discussions about related topics or trade-offs. 

Day 2 - Session 1: Playing the board game - advanced level

During this session, the delegates (as part of their supply chain teams) continue playing the board game. The session carries on from where it ended in the previous session. As the game progresses, supply chain planning and decision-making becomes more complicated (but in a fun way) and disruptions start occurring. As deadlines approach for fulfilling contracts and meeting customer demands, there may be some panic to try and ‘fill up the last space in a truck on its way to the markets.’ Also in this session, SCM related topics are discussed after each round. The session closes by determining the performance of each team and reflecting on decisions made and the learning experience.     

Day 2 – Session 2: Conclusion and debriefing

The course closes with a reflective discussion about the entire “learning-by-playing” board game experience and assessing the ‘big picture’ overview of the supply chain. The supply chain topics that were experienced and discussed during the board game are applied to real business examples and the delegates are required to complete a basic assignment by compiling and explaining a supply chain map.

Topics covered in the course

At least 100 supply chain related topics covering the main topics of SCM such as: supply chain strategies, supply chain processes, supply chain relationships, sourcing, logistics (including transportation and materials handling), production (e.g. facility layout, processes, production plans), warehousing, retail characteristics, supply chain finances, supply chain risks, supply chain integration, supply chain performance, sustainability, new trends in SCM (e.g. digital supply chains, drone deliveries, etc.), and many more will be covered in the course.