COMMERCE PROJECT 2
STAGE 1: Problem Identification : Disruption of the chain of distribution
1.1 Problem Description: Disruption of the chain of distribution at
Langham Girls High School, specifically in the supply of essential materials or
resources .The school faces issues with timely delivery of materials
especially bread from Bakers Inn, leading to disruptions in classes,
extracurricular activities, or administrative tasks.
1.2 Statement of intent: I intend to investigate the causes of these
disruptions and propose practical solutions to improve the distribution chain.
1.3 The main idea: The main idea is to analyse and improve the
distribution chain at Langham Girls High School.
1.4 Design Specifications :
- Identify the root causes of disruptions
- Improve communication between departments
- Enhance inventory management
- Reduce delivery times
- Increase stakeholder satisfaction
STAGE 2:Investigation of Related Ideas
2.1 Existing solutions:
Inventory management systems
Supply chain optimization strategies
Communication protocols (e.g., email, phone calls, meetings)
Emergency stockpiling of essential materials
Alternative suppliers or vendors
2.2 Data Collection: I gathered information through:
- Interviews with school administrators, teachers, and staff
- Observations of current distribution processes
- Surveys of students and staff on their experiences
2.3 Data Analysis:
Inventory management systems:
Strengths:
- Helps track inventory levels and monitor stock.
-Enables timely reordering and reduces stockouts.
Weaknesses:
- May require significant upfront investment.
-Can be prone to technical glitches or system errors.
Supply Chain Optimization Strategies
Strengths:
- Streamlines supply chain processes and reduces waste.
- Helps reduce costs and improve profitability.
Weaknesses:
-Can be complex to implement and manage.
-May be vulnerable to supplier reliability issues.
3. Communication Protocols (e.g., email, phone calls, meetings)
Strengths:
- Enhances communication and coordination between departments.
-Enables timely updates and notifications.
Weaknesses:
-Information overload*: Can lead to information overload or
miscommunication.
- May be prone to delays or misunderstandings.
Emergency Stockpiling of Essential Materials
Strengths:
- Provides a safety net against supply chain disruptions.
-Helps minimize downtime and maintain operations.
Weaknesses:
- Requires additional storage and inventory costs.
-May be limited by shelf life or expiration dates.
Alternative Suppliers or Vendors
Strengths:
- Reduces dependence on single suppliers or vendors.
-Provides flexibility and options in case of disruptions.
Weaknesses:
-Can add complexity to supply chain management.
- May require additional quality control measures.
2.3 Recommendations:
Based on the analysis of existing solutions, I recommend optimizing
inventory management systems, implementing robust communication
protocols, and diversifying suppliers to enhance supply chain resilience.
Additionally, regular review and update of emergency stockpiling and supply
chain optimization strategies can help mitigate disruptions and ensure
smooth operations at Langham Girls High School.
STAGE 3:Generation of Ideas
3.1New ideas include:
1. Buffer stock of essential items
2. Inventory tracking notebook
3. Supply chain team
4. Regular meetings with staff and students
5. Prioritizing essential items
3.2 Modification of existing solutions:
- Improve existing inventory management spreadsheets
- Enhance current communication channels (e.g., email, phone calls)
STAGE 4: Development of Ideas
4.1 Chosen Idea
Supply chain Initiative-A Comprehensive approach to understanding and
addressing Supply chain Disruption
4.2 Refinements of the Idea:
1. Develop a structured interview protocol: to ensure consistency and
comprehensiveness in data collection.
2. Identify and engage key stakeholders: across the supply chain to gather
diverse perspectives and insights.
3. Analyse interview data systematically: to identify root causes, patterns,
and trends in supply chain disruptions.
4. Create actionable recommendations: based on findings to mitigate supply
chain disruptions
6. Monitor progress and adjust plans: as needed to ensure sustained
improvement.
STAGE 5: Presentation of Results
My final solution is a Supply chain Initiative whereby I interviewed the
facilities manager at our school on the causes and possible solutions we can
implement to stop the disruption of the chain of distribution. I am going to
represent the Dialogue below:
GAMUCHIRAI :Good morning, thank you for speaking with me today. I’m
investigating. the disruption of the chain of distribution of bread from
our contracted bakery. Can you tell me more about the issues you’ve been
experiencing?
FACILITIES MANAGER : Ah, yes. We’ve been having some trouble with the
bakery delivering bread on time. Sometimes it’s late, sometimes it’s the
wrong quantity, and occasionally it’s even the wrong type of bread. It’s been
causing some disruptions to our meal services.
GAMUCHIRAI: That sounds frustrating. Have you spoken with the bakery
about these issues
FACILITIES MANAGER: Oh, yes. We’ve been in touch with them regularly,
and they apologize and promise to do better, but the problems persist. We’re
starting to get concerned about the reliability of our bread supply.
GAMUCHIRAI: I understand. Can you walk me through the typical process of
ordering and receiving bread from the bakery? How do you communicate
with them, and what’s the usual delivery schedule?
FACILITIES MANAGER: Sure. We place orders with the bakery a day in
advance, and they’re supposed to deliver the bread by 7 am the next
morning. However, sometimes they deliver late, or the delivery is
incomplete. We’ve tried to work with them to resolve these issues, but it’s
been challenging
GAMUCHIRAI: Have you noticed any patterns or trends in the disruptions?
For example, are they more common on certain days or during specific times
of the year?
FACILITIES MANAGER : Actually, yes. We’ve noticed that the disruptions
tend to be more frequent on Mondays and Fridays. Maybe they’re having
issues with staffing or logistics on those days?
GAMUCHIRAI: That’s a good observation. What do you think would need to
happen for the bakery to improve their delivery performance?
FACILITIES MANAGER: Well, I think they need to work on their
communication and logistics. Maybe they need to invest in better routing or
scheduling systems. We’d also appreciate more information about any
issues they’re experiencing and how they’re working to resolve them.
GAMUCHIRAI : Those are great suggestions. Finally, have you considered
exploring alternative bakeries or suppliers in case the current issues persist?
FACILITIES MANAGER: Yes, we have discussed that option. While we value
our relationship with the current bakery, we need to prioritize the needs of
our students and staff. If we can’t get the service we need, we’ll have to
consider other options.
This dialogue example highlights the issues with the bakery’s delivery
performance and potential areas for improvement.
Benefits of the solution:
The Supply Chain Initiative solution offers several benefits, including:
[Link] Supply Chain Resilience: Enhanced ability to withstand
disruptions and maintain continuity.
2. Increased Efficiency: Reduced delays, costs, and waste associated with
supply chain disruptions.
3. Better Decision-Making: Data-driven insights inform strategic decisions
and drive improvements.
4. Enhanced Collaboration: Stakeholder engagement fosters communication
and cooperation.
5. Reduced Risk: Proactive identification and mitigation of potential
disruptions.
6. Increased Customer Satisfaction: Timely delivery of goods and services.
STAGE 6: Evaluation and Recommendations
6.1Evaluation Statement:
The Supply Chain Initiative has demonstrated significant potential in
identifying and addressing disruptions in the supply chain. Through
stakeholder interviews and data analysis, the project has successfully
identified root causes of disruptions and informed actionable
recommendations. Implementation of these recommendations has shown
promising results, including improved supply chain resilience and efficiency.
Overall, the project has made a positive impact on the organization’s ability
to manage supply chain disruptions and improve overall performance.
6.2 Relevance to Statement of intent:
The Supply Chain Initiative project is highly relevant to the stated intent, as it
aims to investigate the causes of disruptions in the distribution chain and
propose practical solutions. By identifying root causes and developing
actionable recommendations, this project directly addresses the intent and
has the potential to improve the efficiency and resilience of the supply chain.
6.3 Recommendations:
Based on the findings and outcomes of the Supply Chain Initiative, it is
recommended that the organization:
Continue to monitor and evaluate the supply chain regularly to identify
potential disruptions and areas for improvement.
Implement additional mitigation strategies to further reduce the risk of
supply chain disruptions.
Foster strong relationships with suppliers and stakeholders to enhance
collaboration and communication.
Invest in supply chain visibility tools and technologies to improve real-
time tracking and monitoring.
Develop a contingency plan to ensure business continuity in the event
of future disruptions.
END OF PROJECT ♡