1. Identify a Malaysia SME that operates in any industry sector, which the group members are interested in. Briefly provide the background of the chosen SME.
2. Evaluate the entire process of supply chain management in the identified SME. The evaluation must consist of all the following elements on the SME’s supply chain:
i) Purchase management
ii) Creating and managing suppliers’ relationships
iii) Demand forecasting
iv) Resource planning systems
v) Inventory management
vi) Process management
vii) Customer relationship management
viii) Reverse logistics
ix) Supply chain process integration
x) Performance measurement of their supply chain
3. Analyse the entire supply chain process of the SME.
4. Then, propose the best supply chain process management for the SME.
To assist you in your assignment, the listed themes provide questions to answer. Make sure to
incorporate the answers to these questions into your assignment to demonstrate the complexity of your thinking and analysis. Remember to cite your sources and use proper referencing in APA style.
Purchase Management:
1. What is the process of purchasing raw materials for the SME?
2. How does the SME select its suppliers for raw materials?
3. How does the SME ensure timely delivery of purchased raw materials?
4. How does the SME manage its purchase orders and ensure accuracy in documentation?
5. What is the SME’s policy for handling purchase disputes with suppliers?
6. How does the SME ensure that it gets the best price for the raw materials it purchases?
7. How does the SME ensure that it maintains adequate inventory levels of raw materials?
8. What is the process for approving purchases within the SME?
9. How does the SME ensure that its purchasing practices comply with relevant regulations?
10. How does the SME assess the effectiveness of its purchasing practices?
Creating and Managing Suppliers’ Relationships:
1. How does the SME build relationships with its suppliers?
2. What criteria does the SME use to evaluate potential suppliers?
3. How does the SME measure supplier performance?
4. How does the SME communicate with its suppliers?
5. How does the SME manage conflicts or disputes with its suppliers?
6. How does the SME ensure that its suppliers comply with relevant regulations?
7. How does the SME assess the risks associated with working with suppliers?
8. What steps does the SME take to ensure that it has a diverse pool of suppliers?
9. How does the SME maintain positive relationships with its suppliers over time?
10. What strategies does the SME use to negotiate favourable terms with its suppliers?
Demand Forecasting:
1. How does the SME gather and analyse market data to forecast demand?
2. What methods does the SME use to create demand forecasts?
3. How does the SME validate its demand forecasts?
4. How does the SME adjust its demand forecasts to changing market conditions?
5. How does the SME communicate demand forecasts to its suppliers and other stakeholders?
6. How does the SME handle demand uncertainty and variability?
7. How does the SME manage demand forecasting errors?
8. How does the SME use demand forecasts to plan its resource allocation?
9. How does the SME measure the accuracy of its demand forecasts?
10. How does the SME improve its demand forecasting process over time?
Resource Planning Systems:
1. What types of resources does the SME need to manage?
2. How does the SME determine its resource requirements?
3. What systems does the SME use to plan and allocate its resources?
4. How does the SME manage resource constraints and bottlenecks?
5. How does the SME optimize its resource utilization?
6. How does the SME balance its resource allocation between different business units or functions?
7. How does the SME handle unexpected changes in resource demand or supply?
8. How does the SME measure the effectiveness of its resource planning process?
9. How does the SME ensure its resource planning aligns with its strategic objectives?
10. How does the SME improve its resource planning process over time?
Inventory Management:
1. What types of inventories does the SME need to manage?
2. How does the SME determine its inventory levels?
3. What methods does the SME use to control its inventory levels?
4. How does the SME handle inventory storage and handling?
5. How does the SME manage inventory quality and obsolescence?
6. How does the SME handle inventory shortages or surpluses?
7. How does the SME measure the efficiency of its inventory management process?
8. How does the SME integrate inventory management with other supply chain processes?
9. How does the SME use technology to support its inventory management process?
10. How does the SME improve its inventory management process over time?
Process Management:
1. What are the key processes in the SME’s supply chain?
2. How does the SME design and document its supply chain processes?
3. How does the SME measure process performance?
4. How does the SME ensure quality in its supply chain processes?
5. How does the SME identify and manage process risks?
6. How does the SME handle process changes and improvements?
7. How does the SME ensure process compliance with regulations and standards?
8. How does the SME align its supply chain processes with its business strategy?
9. How does the SME ensure coordination and collaboration among different supply chain processes?
10. How does the SME monitor and control its supply chain processes to ensure efficiency and effectiveness?
Customer Relationship Management:
1. How does the SME identify and segment its customers?
2. What channels does the SME use to interact with customers?
3. What is the SME’s approach to managing customer complaints and inquiries?
4. How does the SME measure customer satisfaction?
5. What is the SME’s approach to building customer loyalty?
6. How does the SME leverage technology to improve customer relationships?
7. How does the SME manage customer data and use it for marketing purposes?
8. How does the SME personalize customer experiences?
9. What is the SME’s approach to cross-selling and upselling to customers?
10. How does the SME handle customer retention?
Reverse Logistics:
1. What is the SME’s approach to managing product returns?
2. How does the SME handle defective products and warranty claims?
3. What is the SME’s process for managing product recalls?
4. How does the SME manage the disposal of returned products?
5. How does the SME handle the reverse flow of materials and products?
6. What is the SME’s approach to recycling and reusing materials?
7. How does the SME manage the transportation of returned products?
8. What is the SME’s approach to managing reverse logistics costs?
9. How does the SME ensure the traceability of returned products?
10. How does the SME use reverse logistics data to improve its supply chain performance?
Supply Chain Process Integration:
1. How does the SME integrate its supply chain processes internally and externally?
2. How does the SME collaborate with its suppliers and customers to integrate its supply chain processes?
3. How does the SME ensure compatibility and standardization of data and information in its supply chain processes?
4. How does the SME use technology and platforms to enable supply chain process integration?
5. How does the SME ensure transparency and visibility of its supply chain processes to all stakeholders?
6. How does the SME manage the trade-offs and conflicts among different supply chain processes in its integration efforts?
7. How does the SME measure and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of its supply chain process integration?
8. How does the SME adapt and adjust its supply chain process integration to changing business and market conditions?
9. How does the SME identify and manage risks associated with its supply chain process integration?
10. How does the SME ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards in its supply chain process integration efforts?
Performance Measurement:
1. What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used by the SME to measure the performance of its supply chain?
2. How does the SME collect and analyse data to measure the performance of its supply chain?
3. How does the SME use performance measurement results to improve its supply chain operations?
4. How does the SME benchmark its supply chain performance against industry standards and best practices?
5. How does the SME ensure alignment of supply chain performance with overall business objectives?
6. How does the SME identify and address performance gaps in its supply chain operations?
7. How does the SME ensure accuracy and reliability of its supply chain performance measurement data?
8. How does the SME communicate supply chain performance results to internal and external stakeholders?
9. How does the SME incorporate feedback from stakeholders in its supply chain performance measurement and improvement efforts?
10. How does the SME continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of its supply chain performance measurement and improvement efforts?
Performance Measurement of Supply Chain:
1. What metrics does the SME use to measure the performance of its supply chain?
2. How does the SME use these metrics to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of its supply chain?
3. How does the SME benchmark its supply chain performance against industry standards and best practices?
4. How does the SME identify areas for improvement in its supply chain performance?
5. How does the SME use technology and data analytics to monitor and analyse its supply chain performance?
6. How does the SME involve all stakeholders in the performance measurement and improvement process of its supply chain?
7. How does the SME develop and implement action plans to address performance gaps in its supply chain?
8. How does the SME communicate and report its supply chain performance to internal and external stakeholders?
9. How does the SME ensure continuous improvement and innovation in its supply chain performance measurement?
10. How does the SME align its supply chain performance measurement with its overall business strategy and goals?
