Group Report on A Chain Reaction: Advanced Project and Logistics Management Assessment brief

Assessment brief

Introduction

Every day, millions of sailors, truck drivers, longshoremen, warehouse workers and delivery drivers keep mountains of goods moving into stores and homes to meet consumers’ increasing expectations of convenience and delivering projects. This complex movement of goods underpinning the global economy is far more vulnerable than many imagined. (From the WSJ video below).

Supply Chains of the future need to be different, to be more resilient and address vulnerabilities. The video introduces specific examples where vulnerabilities have impacted supply chains: cycles, kettlebells, shoes, PlayStation; there are others, toilet rolls, semi-conductors, and the recent incident in Baltimore, for instance.
As a Logistics and Project Management expert in your chosen industry sector, you have been asked to investigate these vulnerabilities, identify risks, and make recommendations based on your research. 

Module Aims 

Evaluate contemporary research in Logistics and Project management considering the interdisciplinary nature of the subjects. Analyse critically advances in Project and Programme management focusing on value generation including Agile, Lean and Benefits Management. 

Critically review world-class innovations and emerging technologies in Logistics (i.e. Additive Manufacturing, Big data analytics, drones etc), Critically review world-class innovations and emerging technologies in Project, Portfolio and Programme (3P) i.e., Virtual technologies and augmented reality environments, Output driven Project management (Benefits Realisation, Target Value) To prepare students for further research and application of Logistics and Project management in their Business

Your task:

Watch the video, and research other sources, to understand how different vulnerabilities manifest themselves in global supply chains.

Based on your research you will need to compose a report that will include the following:

Executive summary of your investigation, recommendations, and associated risks.

1. A problem statement that you have identified from the WSJ video and other sources.
2. A literature review considering the topics identified in the investigation phase including the relevant APLM module teaching and learning material. All sources need to be fully referenced, along with critical reasoning for their inclusion.
Recommendations on how problems identified can be managed and resolved underpinned by the literature review. 
3. A set of risks related to your recommendations.
4. A project plan outlining the steps you would take to implement your recommendations; this should include aspects of change management and a project schedule.
5. A PowerPoint set of slides identifying the key points of your report (max 7 slides).

Assessed intended learning outcomes.

On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:
1. Evaluate, critique, and discuss the importance of innovation in Logistics and Project Management.
2. Apply theoretical ideas to practice via real scenario and live case studies.
3. Implement and critically evaluate advancements in Project Management and Logistics. 
4. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the importance of Logistics and Projects Integration in the development and maintenance of sustainable and global organisations operating in complex market environments.

Transferable/Key Skills and other attributes 

On completion you will have had the opportunity to:
1. Work independently and with others in analysing and presenting solutions to real life problems. 
2. Communicate effectively through a variety of media to different audiences.
3. Make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations using tools and techniques appropriate to the module.
4. Evaluate, critique and present research findings.