What are the best ways to maintain supply chain visibility across partners?

Supply chain visibility is the ability to track the flow of materials, products, information, and money across different stages and partners in a supply chain. It is essential for managing supply chain risk and resilience, especially in uncertain and dynamic environments. In this article, you will learn some of the best ways to maintain supply chain visibility across partners, using operations research techniques and tools.

1 Define visibility goals and metrics

The first step to maintain supply chain visibility across partners is to define what you want to achieve and how you will measure it. Visibility goals and metrics should align with your overall supply chain strategy and objectives, such as cost, quality, service, sustainability, or innovation. Some examples of visibility goals are reducing lead times, improving inventory accuracy, enhancing customer satisfaction, or mitigating disruptions. Some examples of visibility metrics are on-time delivery, fill rate, stockout frequency, or risk exposure.

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Kuldeepak Singh

Author, M.Sc (Maths), PGDBM (Marketing), GDMM, Six Sigma Green Belt , APSCM-IIM Kolkata
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Echelon based metrics is key to ensure that each one focuses to achieve what is expected outcome from them e.g. Fill rates and safety stocks will differ for each nod in supply chain/value chain. Visibility is to have real time inputs on the metrics defined. In rapid changing landscape of consumer behaviour the course correction, swift decision making and reversing any negative affects decides sucess against competition. What we need to track, by what means, how much and at what frequecy needs to be choosen diligently. And this also has to be reviewed regularly

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2 Identify visibility gaps and root causes

The next step is to identify where and why you lack visibility in your supply chain. You can use various methods and tools to map your supply chain processes, flows, and actors, and to assess their performance and interdependencies. For example, you can use value stream mapping, process flow diagrams, or network analysis to visualize your supply chain structure and activities. You can also use data analysis, surveys, interviews, or audits to collect and evaluate information from your supply chain partners. By identifying the visibility gaps and root causes, you can prioritize the areas that need improvement and the actions that can address them.

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Hassan Alhaj Mohammad

Assistant Professor | Operations, Supply Chain, Analytics
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Various factors contribute to gaps in supply chain visibility, encompassing both technological and non-technological challenges. Inbound logistics frequently experiences a deficiency in visibility, and this issue can be effectively tackled through the application of a design science approach. The shipping industry faces challenges in supply chain visibility influenced by factors such as the technology employed in supply chain integration and shipping visibility. Nevertheless, while supply chain visibility is vital for responsiveness, it alone is not adequate and necessitates additional information processing capabilities derived from internal integration.

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Kuldeepak Singh

Author, M.Sc (Maths), PGDBM (Marketing), GDMM, Six Sigma Green Belt , APSCM-IIM Kolkata
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Keeping the ears on ground is key whether its human or techonolgy or mix of it. We need to move swiftly from descriptive to prescriptive and then cognitive analysis which should provide required ammunition for tactical and strategic decision. Human thread and parallel digital twins are the best for manufacturing setup. For service sectors we need to evolve on the visibility as remains in value creation and hours.We need deeper insights to understand performance of human processesvas its very subjective assesment

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3 Implement visibility solutions and technologies

The third step is to implement the solutions and technologies that can enhance your supply chain visibility across partners. Depending on your visibility goals and gaps, you can choose from a range of options, such as standardizing data formats and protocols, sharing data and information through cloud platforms or blockchain, using sensors and RFID tags to track products and assets, or applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze and forecast supply chain events and trends. You can also use operations research models and methods, such as optimization, simulation, or scenario analysis, to support your decision making and planning based on the visibility data and insights.

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4 Monitor and evaluate visibility outcomes and impacts

The final step is to monitor and evaluate the outcomes and impacts of your supply chain visibility initiatives. You can use dashboards, reports, or scorecards to track and communicate your visibility metrics and indicators, and to compare them with your baselines and targets. You can also use feedback loops, reviews, or audits to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of your visibility solutions and technologies, and to identify any issues or opportunities for improvement. By monitoring and evaluating your supply chain visibility across partners, you can ensure that you are achieving your desired results and benefits, and that you are adapting to any changes or challenges in your supply chain environment.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best ways to maintain supply chain visibility across partners?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Define visibility goals and metrics

2 Identify visibility gaps and root causes

3 Implement visibility solutions and technologies

4 Monitor and evaluate visibility outcomes and impacts

5 Here’s what else to consider

Operations Research

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What are the best ways to maintain supply chain visibility across partners?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Define visibility goals and metrics

2 Identify visibility gaps and root causes

3 Implement visibility solutions and technologies

4 Monitor and evaluate visibility outcomes and impacts

5 Here’s what else to consider

Operations Research

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