APPROVED
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EXAMINATION PAPER : ACADEMIC SESSION 2003/2004
Campus
Medway
School
Engineering
Department
Engineering Systems
Programme
MSc Engineering Suite
COURSE TITLE
Supply Chain Management
COURSE CODE
PROD 1009
LEVEL
Masters
Date and Duration
(incl. reading time)
May 2004, 2-1/2 Hours
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
The attention of the students is directed to the instructions printed on the
answer book.
Answer THREE of the following four Questions.
All questions carry equal marks.
Duration : 2-1/2 Hours.
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______________________________________________________________________________________
Date & Duration of Exam:
May 2004, 2-1/2 Hours
Course Title:
Course Code:
Supply Chain Management
PROD 1009
Page 1 of 5
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Q1.
(a)
Explain with the aid of a diagram the Total Systems Concept which
underpins the management of Supply Chains.
[6 marks]
(b)
Describe, with the aid of diagrams, the four stages of Supply Chain
Integration. Include in your answer an explanation as to why supply chain
integration is difficult to achieve.
[13 marks]
(c)
Write a detailed account of the Key Issues of Supply Chain Management.
[14 marks]
Q2.
(a)
Outline the principal factors contributing to the bullwhip effect and for
each factor describe, in detail, mechanisms for its reduction or elimination.
[18 marks]
(b)
In the past the supply chain was viewed as a set of trade-offs. Typically
high inventory levels and shipping costs, and less product variation
enabled manufacturers and retailers to come closer to meeting their goals.
Today customers demand high variety and low cost and there is an
increased pressure to control inventory and transportation costs.
By considering the aspects of the supply chain detailed above, explain in
detail how through the use of advanced information technology and
creative network design these perceived trade-offs may now be reduced or
eliminated.
[15 marks]
______________________________________________________________________________________
Date & Duration of Exam:
May 2004, 2-1/2 Hours
Course Title:
Course Code:
Supply Chain Management
PROD 1009
Page 2 of 5
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Q3.
(a)
Discuss the application of a lean thinking approach to supply chain
management and hence explain how waste associated with supply chains
can be categorised.
[8 marks]
(b)
Explain how mapping a logistics process is useful for both benchmarking
and a mechanism for process improvement.
[5 marks]
(c)
Figure Q3 represents a Value Time Profile for a simplified supply chain of
an automotive product.
(i)
Explain the concept of the Value Time Profile.
(ii)
Determine the total cost of the product.
(iii)
Calculate the total waste associated with the supply chain.
(iv)
Explain how the supply chain can be improved.
[12 marks]
Cost/Value (Thousand £)
400
300
200
100
raw
materials
purchase
move &
store
materials
process
parts
transport assemble transport & Package
& store product
store
product
parts at
product for
assembly
packaging
plant
Store
finished
products
Time
Figure Q3 - Value Time Profile of Supply Chain for Automotive Product
(d)
Explain the relevance of using a Balanced Scorecard approach for
assessing the performance of a supply chain and briefly describe a
framework for a logistics scorecard.
[8 marks]
______________________________________________________________________________________
Date & Duration of Exam:
May 2004, 2-1/2 Hours
Course Title:
Course Code:
Supply Chain Management
PROD 1009
Page 3 of 5
APPROVED
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Q4.
(a)
Explain in detail how Process Reference models such as the SCOR
(Supply Chain Operation Reference) methodology integrate the concepts
of business process reengineering, benchmarking, and process
measurement into a cross-functional framework.
[12 marks]
(b)
Figure Q4 shows a screen capture from the animation of a simulation
model of the supply chain for tubular pipes. The logistics of distributing
goods from factory to end-user is represented using a macro modeling
approach. Each major phase of the distribution process is shown on one
level of the animation. For example, the process of transforming raw
material into unfinished pipe is accomplished at the Mill level. Finishing
operations are performed on each pipe at the Pipe Process level. Pipes are
then shipped for distribution to the end user. Product inspection is
performed at all levels.
(c)
(i)
Explain how simulation is particularly appropriate for modeling
complex system such as supply chains.
(ii)
Discuss the advantages of using the approach shown in Figure Q4
for modeling supply chains.
(iii)
With reference to the example shown in Figure Q4 discuss
potential recommendations that simulation of the tubular pipes
supply chain would facilitate.
[12 marks]
Explain how Activity Based Costing (ABC) can be used to assess the
performance of a supply chain by integration into a simulation model or
otherwise.
[9 marks]
Cont’d…..
______________________________________________________________________________________
Date & Duration of Exam:
May 2004, 2-1/2 Hours
Course Title:
Course Code:
Supply Chain Management
PROD 1009
Page 4 of 5
APPROVED
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Figure Q4 Simulation of Supply Chain for Tubular Pipes
TAS/19.03.04
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date & Duration of Exam:
May 2004, 2-1/2 Hours
Course Title:
Course Code:
Supply Chain Management
PROD 1009
Page 5 of 5