Supply Chains as the Solution to Global Challenges

Supply chains can indeed save the world, but only if we fundamentally change the way we approach supply chain engineering and encourage more diversity of thought and cross-industry collaboration.

Supply chain isn't just for people in supply chain. Solutions to supply chain challenges, and thus solutions to our global human challenges, require diversity of thought from new generations with innovative ideas and experienced generations who have the wisdom from the mistakes made and lessons learned. Solving these problems will require functional expertise from all types of professionals from finance to robotics and computer engineering as well as marketing and communications. We all have a part to play and we can all contribute to taking action regardless of your level of expertise within the supply chain.

Right now, we are dealing with global problems that require global solutions. From affordable housing to climate change and equity and inclusion, these are human challenges where supply chain inefficiencies are either at the root of the problem, a core factor in the solution, and often times, both.

Digital Supply Chain Fundamentals for Construction

Many technologies can improve quality, manage costs, and mitigate labor shortages, so those who manage construction projects and programs should understand these tools. In this session, learn about key supply chain technologies that can improve construction productivity and efficiency, particularly for industrialized, modular, and prefabricated construction. Attendees will learn how to create a technology implementation schedule and checklist, and see demonstrations of technologies for data, procurement automation, sales and operations planning, intelligent scheduling, inventory management, agility, and resiliency.

Learning Objectives:

• Define core supply chain concepts and functions (e.g. procurement, cross-functional collaboration, SIPOC, JIT) related to construction management.
• Demonstrate ability to define and document a cross-functional process swimlane diagram leveraging the SIPOC framework.
• Identify pre-work required before implementing construction technology (software or hardware).
• Describe digital supply chain solutions that can improve construction metrics related to cost, quality and productivity and efficiency.

Upskilling and Reskilling People for Technology Implementations

A company’s success is rooted in its people. When it comes to implementing value-driven technology, the outcomes are dependent upon removing the gaps between people and processes. Dismantling departmental silos alongside upskilling and reskilling team members promotes confidence with utilizing tools, which supports supply chain transformation. By adopting appropriate training and resources, companies can understand digital data and seamlessly implement technology.

This session will cover how to motivate employees at every level of the organization to be engaged during digital transformation initiatives, promoting end user adoption and helping to realize ROI of digital investments.