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LO1: Understand supply chain planning models and approaches used in contemporary business operations.

Supply Chain Planning, Modelling and Analytics

Centre Name

Inspire London College

Qualification

OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Unit number and title

R/618/1229 - Supply Chain Planning, Modelling and Analytics

Learner Name

 

Submission Date

 

Assignment title

Supply Chain Planning, Modelling and Analytics

The unit aims to provide learners with in-depth knowledge about planning processes across all key aspects of supply chain management. The relevance of each of the planning processes, the associated information requirements and modelling and analytic techniques are covered.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this assignment learners should:

LO1: Understand supply chain planning models and approaches used in contemporary business operations.

LO2: Understand the integration of supply chain planning, scheduling, and control approaches in business operations.

LO3: Understand the application of data analytics in supply chain management.

 

Word Count:

Approximately 5,000 words.

(Report – 2500. Portfolio of tasks - 2500)

 

 

 

Styling Guideline:

Please Strictly Follow these formatting guidelines to avoid assignment rejection.

 

 

Font Style:

Calibri (Body)

 

 

Font Size:

11

 

 

Heading:

13 (Bold)

 

 

Subheading:

12 (Bold)

 

 

Bullets

Use Consistent Bullet Style

 

 

Document type:

Word Document (.docx)

 

Assessment criteria to be assessed in this assignment

 

Pass

 

 

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

2.1

2.2

2.3

3.1

3.2

 

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Helping Notes are present in the Assignment worksheet that will aid you with your assignment. Moreover, you can summon tutor support.

Task 1

Assessment Type: Portfolio of task(s).

You are required to select a retail company and execute these tasks. Your work should be more than mere discussion.

  1. Apply appropriate forecasting techniques.
  2. Evaluate the appropriateness of supply networks.
  3. Apply location planning models for different entities in the supply network.
  4. Apply appropriate inventory control and management approaches.
  5. Apply the concepts of Material Planning and Control and other capacity management strategies.

The above discussion will help you to achieve following Assessment Criteria:

1.2  Apply appropriate forecasting techniques.

1.3  Evaluate the appropriateness of supply networks.

1.4  Apply location planning models for different entities in the supply network.

1.5  Apply appropriate inventory control and management approaches.

2.2 Apply the concepts of Material Planning and Control and other capacity management strategies.

Task 2

Assessment Type: Report

  1. Explain qualitative and quantitative approaches to supply chain operations.
  2. Analyse the relationships between aggregate and hierarchical planning and control.
  3. Evaluate the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in business operations.
  4. Explain the use and relevance of simulation techniques in each of the key areas of supply chain management.
  5. Explain the use and relevance of big data analytical techniques in each of the key areas of supply chain management.

The above discussion will help you to achieve following Assessment Criteria:

1.1 Explain qualitative and quantitative approaches to supply chain operations.

2.1 Analyse the relationships between aggregate and hierarchical planning and control.

2.3 Evaluate the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in business operations.

3.1 Explain the use and relevance of simulation techniques in each of the key areas of supply chain management.

3.2 Explain the use and relevance of big data analytical techniques in each of the key areas of supply chain management.

 

 

Suggested Resources

  • Jacobs, R.F., Berry, W., Whybark, D. and Vollmann, T. (2018). Manufacturing Planning and Control for Supply Chain Management, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill Education
  • Chopra, S. (2019). Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Operation, Global Edition, Pearson
  • Benton, W. (2013). Supply Chain Focused Manufacturing Planning and Control, South- Western College Pub
  • Hillier, F, and Hillier, M. (2018). ISE Introduction to Management Science: A Modeling and Case Studies Approach with Spreadsheets, 6th Edition, McGraw –Hill Education
  • Watson, M., Lewis, S., Cacioppi, P. and Jayaraman, J. (2012). Supply Chain Network Design:

Applying Optimization and Analytics to the Global Supply Chain. Pearson FT Press.

Guidelines for completion and Submission

Plagiarism and Collusion

In submitting the assignment Learner’s must complete a statement of authenticity confirming that the work submitted for all tasks is their own. The statement should also include the word count.

ILC recommends the following to check plagiarism/similarity. https://www.grammarly.com/plagiarism-checker

 

https://www.scanmyessay.com

Learners are required to attach the similarity report in submission slot or email to tutor. Plagiarism and collusion are treated very seriously. Plagiarism involves presenting work, excerpts, ideas or passages of another author without appropriate referencing and attribution.

Collusion occurs when two or more learners submit work which is so alike in ideas, content, wording and/or structure that the similarity goes beyond what might have been mere coincidence

Referencing

A professional approach to work is expected from all learners. Learners must therefore identify and acknowledge ALL sources/methodologies/applications used.

The learner must use Harvard Referencing system to achieve this. Marks are not awarded for the use of English; however, the learner must express ideas clearly and ensure that appropriate terminology is used to convey accuracy in meaning.

Appendices

You may include appendices to support your work, however appendices must only contain additional supporting information, and must be clearly referenced in your assignment.

You may also include tables, graphs, diagrams, Gantt chart and flowcharts that support the main report should be incorporated into the end of the assignment report that is submitted.

Any published secondary information such as annual reports and company literature, should be referenced in the main text of the assignment, in accordance of Harvard Style Referencing, and referenced at the end of the assignment.

Word Count Policy

Learners must comply with the required word count, within a margin of ±10%. These rules exclude the index, headings, tables, images, footnotes, appendices and information contained within references and bibliographies. When an assessment task requires learners to produce presentation slides with supporting notes, the word count applies to the supporting notes only.

Submission of Assignments

All work to be submitted on the due date. All work must be submitted in a single electronic document (.docx file).

Key Terminologies

 

Describe

To describe means to create a picture with words but not simply writing a list of bullet points.

 

Explain

To explain something, you will need to provide a clear account of your understanding, including details like why and how.

 

Analyse

To analyse something, you consider it carefully and in detail in order to understand or explain it.

To analyse, identify the main parts or ideas of a subject and examine or interpret the connections between them.

 

Evaluate

To evaluate, decide on your subject’s significance, value, or quality after carefully studying its good and bad features.

Use authoritative (eg, from established authors or theorists in the field) and, to some extent, personal appraisal of both contributions and limitations of the subject. Similar to assess.

 

Discuss

To discuss in an essay, consider your subject from different points of view. Examine, analyse and present considerations for and against the problem or statement.

 

Critically

Often used in conjunction with other directive words, such as critically discuss, critically examine or critically analyse. It does not mean criticise. It is asking you to give a balanced answer that points out mistakes or weaknesses and any favourable aspects of the subject of the question. The decision or overall judgment you make must be supported with evidence from reliable sources.

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Sample Answer

Selected company: Marks & Spencer plc (M&S)
Unit: R/618/1229 - Supply Chain Planning, Modelling and Analytics

Executive summary

This submission examines supply-chain planning and analytics through the lens of Marks & Spencer (M&S), a large UK retailer operating both food and clothing divisions. The portfolio (Task 1) applies forecasting techniques to product groups, evaluates the suitability of M&S’s supply networks, applies location planning methods for warehouses and stores, proposes inventory control policies, and outlines material planning and capacity strategies. The report (Task 2) contrasts qualitative and quantitative approaches to supply-chain operations, explains the relationship between aggregate and hierarchical planning and control, evaluates ERP implementation impacts on a retail business, and outlines the practical uses of simulation and big-data analytics across the supply chain. Recommendations emphasise measurable KPIs, pragmatic models that fit retail seasonality, and staged modernisation (analytics + ERP + simulation) to avoid operational disruption.

PART A — Portfolio of tasks (Task 1)

Introduction to company context (brief)

M&S operates two core retail divisions: Food (perishable, high turnover) and Clothing & Home (seasonal fashion). These divisions have different planning horizons, product lifecycles and inventory risks, so supply-chain planning must be tailored accordingly. M&S sources from a mix of long-term suppliers (clothing) and short-term/contracted suppliers (food), and runs a network of regional distribution centres (DCs), local fulfilment hubs and stores across the UK and internationally.

1. Apply appropriate forecasting techniques

Objective: produce accurate short-, medium- and long-term forecasts for two representative SKUs: (a) M&S own-label fresh sandwich (food SKU — high volume, short life) and (b) women’s seasonal knit jumper (clothing SKU — seasonal, variable).

Approach and justification:

  • Food SKU (sandwich): use exponential smoothing with seasonality (Holt-Winters additive) for daily/weekly demand. Reason: strong day-of-week and monthly patterns, rapid decay of demand information (recent sales matter most), and need for rolling short lead-time forecasts.

    • Implementation notes: use 7-day weekly cycle + special event adjustments (bank holidays, school half-terms); update smoothing parameters weekly; include a safety stock based on demand variability over the last 8 weeks at a 95% service level.

    • Example (applied reasoning): if average daily sales Monday–Friday = 1,500 sandwiches, weekend = 900, then smoothing will weight the last 4 weeks heavier to detect trend. Safety stock calculation uses standard deviation of daily demand × z-factor (1.65 for 95% interval) × √lead time.

  • Clothing SKU (seasonal knit jumper): use a hybrid model: baseline seasonal decomposition (multiplicative) to isolate trend and seasonality across months, combined with causal regression for promotions and markdowns.

    • Reason: fashion demand shows pronounced seasonal peaks (autumn/winter), promotions and price markdowns strongly influence sales, and lead times from suppliers are longer (8–14 weeks) so medium-term forecast accuracy matters.

    • Implementation notes: monthly forecasts with a 6-month horizon; incorporate promotional calendar, planned markdowns and material lead times. Use historical sell-through rates of similar styles to adjust initial buy quantities.

Accuracy measures and continuous improvement: track forecast accuracy by MAPE and MASE, measured weekly for food SKUs and monthly for clothing. Aim for MAPE <10% for top food SKUs and <20% for seasonal clothing during planning horizon; implement forecast bias monitoring and adjust models when bias persists beyond four periods.

Example application (concise numeric illustration):

  • Sandwich: average weekly demand = 9,000 (STD = 1,200). With a 2-day replenishment lead time and target 95% service level, approximate safety stock = 1.65 × 1,200 × √(2/7) ≈ 1.65 × 1,200 × 0.535 ≈ 1,058 units. So buffer of ~1,100 sandwiches held at store DCs during peak weeks.

2. Evaluate the appropriateness of supply networks

Current picture (assumption for M&S-like network): central buying, regional DCs segmented by product temperature/handling (ambient, chilled, frozen), dedicated clothing distribution centres for longer cycle replenishment, and a last-mile store network. Ecommerce channels use a mix of store-fulfilment and dedicated online fulfilment centres.

Evaluation criteria: cost, responsiveness, flexibility, risk (single points of failure), sustainability and inventory efficiency.

Strengths:

  • Temperature-segmented DCs for food ensure product safety and reduce cross-contamination.

  • Store density in the UK offers short lead times and rapid replenishment from nearby DCs.

  • Dual fulfilment (store + online) improves delivery promise flexibility.

Weaknesses / risks:

  • Concentration risk if a key DC handles multiple regions — vulnerability to local disruption. Remedy: increase cross-docking options and contingency routing.

  • SKU proliferation in clothing increases complexity and drives up holding costs; network must support frequent small replenishments.

  • Seasonal spikes (Christmas, promotions) stress both transport and labour capacity.

Recommendations:

  1. Adopt a hybrid hub-and-spoke with multiple regional mini-hubs capable of cross-docking fast-moving food SKUs to reduce store lead time and mitigate single-DC risk.

  2. Introduce a multi-echelon inventory optimisation approach to place safety stock where variability is highest (store level for food; regional DC for clothing).

  3. Increase supplier diversification for critical apparel components and develop contingency contracts for peak season logistics.

  4. Introduce carbon-aware routing and modal shift options (rail for long-haul where possible) to support sustainability targets.

Yes, we use clear, real examples such as M&S food or clothing items to show how each model works. Our writers explain step-by-step how to apply the method so you understand it, not just copy it.

We always link the theory with real business examples. You’ll get practical analysis based on companies like M&S, Tesco or Sainsbury’s to make your work more realistic and specific to the brief

Absolutely. Our experts explain these planning levels in plain language and connect them using retail examples so you can easily understand how they work together in supply-chain control

Yes, we write every assignment manually in easy UK English, keeping it original, human and clear. The tone is natural and fits a student’s writing style, not AI or robotic language

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