37990 Digital Transformation and Supply Chain Analytics Level 7 Individual Assignment Brief

Module Learning Outcomes

1) Critically assess the range of digital technologies being utilised within supply chains,  including the role of data and data science in driving supply chain decisions and supporting new disruptive models of business and their impact on organisational performance.

2) Critically evaluate the business value of different digital technologies and data-driven decision-making for SCM. 

3) Critically discuss the various decision building blocks with Logistics and SCM including inventory, capacity management and forecasting. 

4) Critically discuss the different analytics tools available for SCM decision-making, and be able to analyse and interpret data to assist businesses in the SCM decision-making process. 5) Apply a critical approach, using analytical and digital skills to problem-solving in supply chain management. 

Individual Assessments 

PART I BLOG POSTS (30 % of the total module mark; LO1, 2, 3, 4) 

In the digital age, blog posts have become a popular way for individuals, companies, and organizations to share information, express ideas, and engage with a wider audience. Blog posts have an informal or conversational tone, making them more personal and relatable compared to traditional news articles or academic papers. 

Identify two digital technologies/innovations (e.g., IoT, AI, Digital Twin, Big Data, Machine  Learning, Blockchain) discussed in this module and write two blog posts(up to 500 words) for the two chosen technologies/innovations respectively. In each blog post, students should analyse how data science drives decisions and supports disruptive business models in the context of supply chain management and discuss how their chosen digital technologies/innovations contribute to supply chain competitive advantage and efficiency. 

PART II: ASSIGNMENT REPORT (50% of the total module mark; LO1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 

You are required to conduct a management consultancy project on a company that offers a range of services or products (or a single service or product). It can be any manufacturing or service organisation. The objective of this report is to analyse the impact of digital technologies and data analytics on supply chain management through a specific company of your choice. This assignment aims to provide practical insights into how digital transformation and supply chain analytics are implemented in real-world business scenarios and their effects on supply chain management decision-making processes and organizational performance. You are required to write a report (up to 2,000 words) addressing the following tasks: 

i) Effect of Digital Tools & Analytics on Supply Chain Decisions 

Discuss the key decision-making elements (e.g., inventory, capacity management,  forecasting, quality management, service improvement) within the context of the chosen company’s supply chain management. Evaluate the effect of digital tools and data analytics on these decision-making processes. 

ii) Analysis of Supply Chain Analytics Tools  

Identify and examine the analytics tools used for decision-making in the company’s supply chain management (e.g., descriptive analytics, predictive analytics, and prescriptive  analytics). Provide a real or hypothetical data interpretation scenario to illustrate how these analytics tools aid supply chain decision-making in the company. 

iii) Critical Problem-Solving Application  

The implementation of disruptive digital technologies/innovations is often considered as organisational change that might encounter many challenges (e.g., employees’ resistance to change). Discuss potential challenges in adopting digital transformation and supply chain analytics, specifically for the chosen company. What are your suggestions for the managers?