Supply Chain Management Implementation in Projects

Projects can be thought of as initiatives where people and resources come together to produce a desirable end result. While it is possible to plan and conduct projects through one’s own means, this is hardly the rule. Most often, supplies, materials, equipment, and even personnel and services, have to be secured from outside sources to ensure a project’s timely completion. It is then that the concepts of supply chains and supply chain management become most relevant.

This topic begins by setting the stage for the exploration of supply chain management by reviewing definitions, delineating terms, and presenting the key decision areas that most often occupy supply chain concepts. The key components involved in the structuring of supply chains are considered next.

The topic provides examples of the business processes, usually under scrutiny in supply chain operations, and further examines the organisational and technical management elements that play a central role in the formation of effective supply chains. The topic proceeds to present alternative supply chain typologies and discusses their contextual deployment and differences.

Subsequently, focus is placed on supply chain integration initiatives, their marked departure from more traditional sourcing approaches as well as specific tools and techniques that aid their implementation. Finally, the topic concludes with a discussion of challenges and risks inherent in supply chain management.