| Unit name | Supply Chain Analytics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MGRCM0017 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Holland |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
n/a |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
n/a |
| Units you may not take alongside this one | |
| School/department | School of Management - Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The expanding availability of data and computational power means that analytics approaches have become pervasive in business decision making. This is especially true in supply chain management. A knowledge of what analytical approaches are used and how they are employed is essential for the supply chain manager. Analytics subdivides into three branches: (1) descriptive - summarising data to extract meaning. This is especially important in supply chain management in the context of identifying whether target metrics are being achieved; (2) predictive - techniques to allow measures for which future forecasts are required to support planning e.g. demand; (3) prescriptive - using models to analyse available data for advice on best, or optimal, decisions.
Overview of content:
This unit introduces you to some important methods relevant to supply chain management from the fields of analytics, namely descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics. Some principal descriptive analytical methods for understanding data related to various aspects of managing a supply chain are investigated e.g. exploratory descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, For predictive analytics causal (regression) and time series forecasting methods will be considered. For prescriptive analytics, inventory optimisation, service provision and resource allocation are crucial elements in the design of efficient and effective supply chains. This module introduces you to the analytical techniques from the discipline of management science required to be able to do this.
How will students be different as a result of this unit
On completion of this unit, students will realise that knowledge of analytics plays a key role in supply chain management. You will be able to select appropriate techniques for different situations and then implement and interpret the result of the analysis into useful information for key stakeholders.
Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate understanding of the main descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytical models and tools for supply chain management
2. Apply the main descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytical models and tools available for analysing supply chain management
3. Use computer software to implement solution to supply chain analytics problems
4. Interpret analytical results to form an opinion on a given business question
5. Demonstrate a critical approach to the selection of analytical tools for a given problems and the opportunities and limitations inherent in both the tool and the application environment.
6. Distinguish different approaches when communicating technical information, whether orally or written, to different audiences, whether specialist or generalist, strategic or tactical.
The teaching methods will use a combination of lectures, computer workshops, case studies, and independent problem-based study. Lectures are aimed at communicating the main methods, techniques and ideas of the unit. Computer workshops demonstrate the implementation of important calculations and provide an opportunity to discuss interpretation of output.
You will also be expected to spend a significant number of hours on independent study, practicing formative problems that require implementation of covered techniques in order to fully develop your understanding of the material. These will be provided each week, with solutions made available the following week. Office hours provide an opportunity to receive feedback on solutions that are not clear.
Formative: Each week you will be provided with questions to practice the tools and techniques introduced in that week. Solutions to these problems will be available the following week. Office hours are available to clarify elements on solutions that are not clear. Covers ILOs 1-6.
Summative: There will be two equally weighted individual case studies, each 1500 words. The first will be based on the application of descriptive and predictive analytics. The second on prescriptive analytics. The assessments need to be passed in aggregate. Each case study covers ILOs 1-6: the first case study addressing the descriptive and predictive analytics requirements of ILO1 and the second addressing the prescriptive analytics requirements of ILO1.
Re-assessment. If the assessment is not passed, then the resit will consist of a single case study, 3000 words, covering all three aspects of supply chain analytics. Covers ILOs 1-6.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MGRCM0017).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
