Strategic Planning for Dynamic Supply Chains: Preparing for Uncertainty Using Scenarios

This book presents a strategic decision-making process (i.e., scenario planning) to help managers build supply chain infrastructures that can adapt to uncertain shifts in the business environment. The authors detail the process for developing and applying scenarios for strategic planning in organizations playing three different roles in supply chains. Using three cases in which the process was applied in association with the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, this primer also explains how companies can monitor their business environments to decide when to take the necessary steps to adapt their supply chain strategies and assets.

The lessons learned are applicable globally: in first-world free-market economies, emerging countries and poorer nations, as well as the states where the government plays a strong role in the economic activity.

For companies looking to assess the numerous drivers shaping their supply chains and use that information to make living strategic plans, this book will teach you how to build adaptable and agile supply chains. It will explain how to approach long-term investments in your organization.

Shardul Phadnis is an Associate Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at the Asia School of Business. Previously, he served as the Associate Professor and Director of Research at MIT SCALE Network’s Malaysia Institute for Supply Chain Innovation. His research explores the intersection of supply chains and strategic management: how organizations create value by orchestrating supply chain operations, and how strategy processes influence adaptability of supply chain structures and processes.

Yossi Sheffi is the Elisha Gray II Professor of engineering systems and director of the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics. He is the founder of the MIT master’s degree in supply chain management and the SCALE network of six supply chain management academic centers. He is the author of a textbook and five award-winning management books which were translated into numerous languages. He is also a multiple entrepreneur, having founded five successful companies. His research areas include supply chain risk management, sustainability, and network structure.

Chris Caplice serves as the Executive Director of the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics where he is responsible for the planning and management of the research, education, and corporate outreach programs for the center. He created and currently serves as Director of the MITx MicroMaster’s Program in Supply Chain Management and founded the MIT FreightLab. In addition to his work at MIT, he serves as Chief Scientist at DAT Freight & Analytics.