FORM B (specific course information)
Course Name/Title Mgt 472 Supply Chain Management
Program
(e.g. MBA or Ph.D.)
Required or elective
Typical number of students enrolled in recent course offerings.
Textbook Used
MBA
Elective
Instructor(s) Name and email address
James Hill (replacement TBA)
Number of Class sessions in course
14
Duration of each class (minutes) 90 min
55
Simchi-Levi
Misc. Instructor comments about course

MGT 472
Supply Chain Management
Spring 2004, Module III
Professor: James Hill
Office:
Phone:
319
343-8094
E-Mail: James.Hill@owen.vanderbilt.edu
Office Hours: Open
Course Description :
Put simply, supply chain management is the coordination of product, information, and monetary flows between companies or locations within companies. Supply chain management has been a hot topic the past decade. Fueled by the growth in information technology that allows companies to “link” together or create virtual marketplaces, increasing customer demands for rapid service and product variety, and de-centralization (outsourcing, subcontracting, etc.) of the supply chain, it will be even hotter in this new decade.
This course is an introductory course on supply chain management. The course focuses on supply chain management issues, ideas, and solutions at a primarily conceptual level.
Conceptual does not mean vague and fluffy – we discuss concepts that are based on solid logic.
When you finish with this course, my hope is that you should be able to analyze a supply chain, ask the right questions, and identify/analyze opportunities for improvement. This course is designed for a general audience, not just operations majors.
Grading
I dislike assigning grades, but I do so because (1) I am required to and (2) it provides incentive for participation and learning. All of us need an incentive/push to make sure we perform well and get the most out of taking a class. I will, however, try to make the grading process as transparent as possible.
The grading breakdown is as follows:
Class participation 20%
Short Assignments 30%
Case Report
Exam
20%
30%
Class participation is a subjective measure of your level of interest and participation, your knowledge of class assignments, etc. Basic class participation is being able to answer simple questions related to the reading – in other words, make sure you do the reading. Class

participation will be judged on depth of thought, consistency of participation throughout the module, and contribution to the education of the rest of the class.
Assignments are questions on the cases and/or some form of analysis. In general, they will require a 1-2 page write-up, single spaced, 1-inch margins and 12-point font. I usually find that just reading an article or case is of little benefit; usually simply thinking about the material for an extra half-hour offers a much greater learning experience. Thus, the real reason for these assignments is to give you incentive to get you to think about the reading. Assignments are listed on the syllabus and are to be done in groups of three.
There is one full case (Sport Obermeyer) analysis to be turned in. The text should be 4-5 pages, double spaced, 1-inch margins and 12-point font. Exhibits if any should be correct, self explanatory, and support text on key points. The case is concerned with a problem or issue that requires careful analysis. Further, there is a decision or set of decisions around which the case centers. A recommendation for a case should always propose a decision and defend that choice versus other alternatives.
Class Material
There is one required textbook “Designing and Managing the Supply Chain” by Simchi-Levi and Kaminsky 2 nd edition. It’s an excellent overview of basic supply chain management.
There is a class pack with cases. Some material will be distributed in class. All the other reading materials will be available on blackboard.
Honor Code
Any use of case analyses or any other material in any format from other sections of this course taught at any time in the past or present at any university will be considered a violation of the honor code.

C LASS S CHEDULE
Tuesday (Jan. 13) Introduction
Read Chapter 1 of Simchi-Levi text
Read “What has not changed in supply chains because of e-business”
Thursday (Jan. 15) Inventory Models and Analysis in Supply Chain
Read pages 43-73 of Simchi-Levi text
Read “Modeling Approaches for Supply Chain Decisions”
Assignment: Chapter 3 problem number 17 (a, b & c) (Due 1/22)
Tuesday (Jan. 20) Inventory Management in Supply Chains (risk pooling)
Read “Managing supply chain inventory: pitfalls and opportunities”
Thursday (Jan. 22) Inventory and Order Fulfillment
Read case: HP Spokane (to be handed out in class)
Read “Improving supply chain performance by using order fulfillment metrics”
Tuesday (Jan. 27) Logistics and Network Design
Read Chapter 2 of Simchi-Levi text
Assignment: Retailer-Supplier Partnership Assignment (Due 1/29)
Thursday (Jan. 29) Strategic Alliances and Retailer Supplier Partnerships
Read Chapter 6 of Simchi-Levi text
Read case: Kimberly Clark Costco/ Page 143 of Simchi-Levi
Read case: H. E. But Grocery Company
Read case: Vanity Fair
Tuesday (Feb. 3) Build to Order in the Supply Chain
Read Case: Ford Motor Company
Read “The Power of Integration: An interview with Michael Dell”
Read “Where Build to Order Works Best”
Assignment: HP Deskjet page 207 of Simchi-Levi (Due 2/5)

Thursday (Feb. 5) Mass Customization and Postponement
Read pages 207-230 of Simchi-Levi text
Read “Mass Customization: The Power of Postponement”
Tuesday (Feb. 10) Supply Chain Integration/Review
Read Chapter 5 of Simchi-Levi text
Read “Designing product for the synchronized supply chain”
Thursday (Feb. 12) Midterm Exam
Tuesday (Feb. 17) New Product Introduction and Rollover
L.L. Bean Assignment (Due 2/19)
Thursday (Feb. 19) Managing Products with Short Life Cycles
Read “Managing short-lifecycle products”
Read “What is the right supply chain for your product?”
Assignment: Sport Obermeyer (Due 2/26)
Tuesday (Feb. 24) Customer Value and Pricing
Read Chapter 10 of Simchi-Levi text
Thursday (Feb. 26) Quick Response
Case Write Up Due: Sport Obermeyer