- Supply Chain:
- The network of organizations, resources, activities, and processes involved in the creation and delivery of products or services to end customers.
- Supply Chain Management (SCM):
- The strategic coordination and integration of all activities involved in the sourcing, procurement, conversion, and logistics management to deliver value to customers.
- Demand Planning:
- The process of estimating future customer demand for a product or service to optimize inventory levels, production, and supply chain operations.
- Forecasting:
- The process of estimating future demand based on historical data, market trends, and other relevant factors to support planning and decision-making.
- Inventory Management:
- The practice of controlling and overseeing the acquisition, storage, and usage of materials, components, and finished products to ensure optimal levels and minimize costs.
- Supplier Management:
- The activities involved in selecting, evaluating, developing, and managing relationships with suppliers to ensure the availability of quality materials or services.
- Procurement:
- The process of acquiring goods, services, or works from external sources, typically involving activities such as supplier identification, negotiation, and contract management.
- Logistics:
- The management of the flow of goods, services, and information between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet customer requirements.
- Transportation Management:
- The planning, execution, and control of the movement of goods, utilizing various modes of transportation, to ensure timely and efficient delivery.
- Warehouse Management:
- The activities involved in the efficient storage, handling, and control of goods within a warehouse, including inventory management, order fulfillment, and facility layout optimization.
- Distribution:
- The process of delivering finished products or services from the manufacturing or distribution center to the end customer through various channels and intermediaries.
- Demand Fulfillment:
- The process of meeting customer orders and requests in a timely manner while optimizing inventory, production, and distribution resources.
- Lean Manufacturing:
- An approach that focuses on eliminating waste and maximizing value in production processes, aiming for continuous improvement and efficiency.
- Six Sigma:
- A data-driven approach to quality management and process improvement that seeks to minimize defects and variability in manufacturing and service processes.
- Supply Chain Integration:
- The alignment and collaboration of all stakeholders in the supply chain, including suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers, to achieve common goals and improve overall performance.
- Supply Chain Visibility:
- The ability to track and monitor the flow of goods, information, and funds across the supply chain in real-time, providing insights for decision-making and risk management.
- Supply Chain Resilience:
- The ability of a supply chain to withstand and recover from disruptions, such as natural disasters, supplier failures, or market shifts, while maintaining operations and meeting customer demands.
- Sustainability:
- The consideration of environmental, social, and economic factors in supply chain decision-making to minimize negative impacts and promote responsible practices.
- Continuous Improvement:
- The ongoing effort to identify and implement small, incremental changes and innovations to improve supply chain processes, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- Quantifiable measures used to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of supply chain activities, such as on-time delivery, inventory turnover, cost-to-serve, and customer satisfaction.
This glossary provides a comprehensive overview of key terms in supply chain management. It can serve as a reference guide for professionals and practitioners in the field.