ASQ Supply Chain Management Primer

This primer was written to promote the application of basic and sound supply chain management principles. It was written for a global audience of practitioners and their managers. Authors and reviewers were chosen from around the world to capture these accepted methods used in national and international commerce. Most of the described methods come from decades of use in quality management programs. They are equally important when managing for environment, safety, security, and sustainability. They are basic.The global economy has presented both a challenge and an opportunity for organizations to better manage their supply chains. An organization’s supply chain has come to be viewed as more like a supply web, because an organization has a complex network of customers, distributors, wholesalers, suppliers (first tier, second tier and sometimes third tier), and includes logistics, transportation and warehousing.This primer draws content from experts in the field and was blended into a useful tool for you to use managing your organization’s supply chain. It covers key supply chain topics, like: supply chain and logistics management processes, defining organizational needs and requirements, identifying supply network sources, building relationships, awarding contracts, and managing supplier performance.Creating an effective supply chain is key to staying ahead in today’s complex global economy. This primer provides the tools, guidance, and examples to help maximize business performance and create competitive advantage for your organization.