ABSTRACT
This chapter presents The Supply Chain Construction Blueprint. The Blueprint is grouped into four sections: (1) project setup, (2) construction of the network container, (3) filling the network container with product contents, and (4) start-up stabilization. The project setup ensures that the supply chain construction project has an objective, a project team, a timeline, and a budget. The supply chain construction begins with the Supply Chain Construction Requirements Specification (SCCRS). The network container is built to specification connecting the market segment with the product while meeting a competitive end-customer price/landed cost. The network container is filled to specification with product contents by transforming raw materials into end products and delivering these products while meeting a competitive delivery lead time. Trading partner cash flow and inventory turns are key parts of The Blueprint. The start-up stabilization validates intended performance levels and provides diagnostics tools to isolate and resolve any start-up issues with the new or modified supply chain. The bulk of this chapter is a step-by-step comprehensive example of the construction of a forward supply chain network. Chapter 8: “Return” presents a step-by-step comprehensive example of the construction of a reverse supply chain network.
