Supply Chain Strategy (SC2020)

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What is Supply Chain Strategy?

Through multiple case study research - and in-depth action research cases in the context of the Supply Chain 2020 Project - CTL researchers have developed the process and tools to help firms understand, evaluate, and improve their current supply chain strategies. This methodology, called the SC2020 Strategy Process, has been systematized to walk practitioners, step by step, through the process of developing a deeper understanding of their supply chain strategy; evaluating it in terms of sufficiency, coverage, and alignment; and improving it to better serve the strategic objectives of the firm.

How does it work?

After the scope of a project has been defined, the SC2020 Strategy Process starts with a few dozen qualitative interviews with practitioners at the firm who are from different areas of interest. Data from the interviews is analyzed qualitatively and validated with the group to build a “strategy map” that connects the firm’s stated strategy and its activities on the field. Based on this map, a series of evaluations is then run to identify areas that are a poor fit in the current strategy, or that do not fit either with the business strategy or with other areas in the business. Based on this diagnostic, a reformulation effort - driven by controlled convergence - is launched, with the goal of producing a superior supply chain strategy that can be then deployed to replace the existing one.

What are the key benefits?

• A better understanding of the current supply chain strategy and other related functional strategies
• An evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the existing supply chain strategy grounded on the actual performance of various activities
• Concrete recommendations on how to improve the coverage and alignment of the existing supply chain strategy

How do I join?

Firms interested in conducting the SC2020 Strategy Process are invited to contact Dr. Mahender Singh, msingh@mit.edu.