Supply Chain Design and Network Optimization

Modern businesses rely on seamless logistics to survive, yet designing an efficient supply network is highly complex. This text-based course guides you through the core principles of structuring and optimizing supply chain operations from the ground up. You will transition from understanding basic logistics to actively designing networks that balance cost, speed, and environmental impact. Through clear explanations, you will learn how to evaluate physical infrastructure, manage financial flows, and implement modern risk-mitigation strategies. What you'll learn: - Understand the fundamental components of physical, financial, and information flows within a supply network - Analyze facility location options and capacity constraints using foundational modeling principles - Evaluate supply chain costs, trade-offs, and service levels to maximize organizational value - Apply modern risk assessment frameworks to design resilient networks capable of handling global disruptions - Integrate sustainable practices and green logistics metrics into traditional supply chain models - Formulate inventory strategies and information-sharing protocols to prevent the bullwhip effect The course begins with essential terminology and structural foundations before moving into network modeling, cost optimization, and modern resilience planning. Through written explanations and practical business scenarios, you will learn how to make data-driven supply chain decisions. This course is designed for beginners, aspiring logistics professionals, and business students looking to understand supply chain architecture without any prior engineering background. Start reading today to learn how to build smarter, more robust supply networks.