OneBlood and COVID-19 - Building an Agile Supply Chain Case Study Analysis
The topic of how to build an agile supply chain is one that a lot of people want to learn more about. However, there are so many different ways to go about doing it, that it can be difficult to choose the one that is right for you. This article will look at the most common methods, and explain how you can decide which one is best for you.
Problem Statement
A problem statement helps teams define their problems and develop a clear path to fixing them. In addition, it creates buy-in from management.
There are three parts to a problem statement: the goal, the purpose, and the resource. You can either make a problem statement yourself or have it created by your team. If you use your own, you'll need to understand the process so you can use it effectively.
Before you begin to write a problem statement, you'll need to understand the importance of your problem. It's important to find the root cause. Otherwise, you won't know what to change. Then, you'll need to find resources that can help you solve the problem.
The problem statement should be backed by facts, research, and insights. You'll also want to provide some kind of argument for why you're trying to fix the problem.
An agile supply chain is more flexible and able to respond to changes. It's less susceptible to sudden disruptions, and can be more responsive to accelerated demand. By using automation, you can reduce the time you spend on manual tasks, improving efficiency.
To be an agile supply chain, you'll need a robust distribution network and flexible fulfillment solutions. This will allow you to reach your market first, take advantage of demand-driven opportunities, and act as a market leader.
As a company grows, it will face many challenges. In order to adapt and stay agile, it will need to cut costs and increase efficiencies.
Case Study Solution
OneBlood, which serves the Tampa Bay, Central Florida, and Southeast areas, was the largest donor of convalescent plasma (CCP) in the country. As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, it had to develop new partnerships to supply CCP. This required new methods of data collection, monitoring, and distribution.
The case study discusses OneBlood's use of data to improve its supply chain management. It demonstrates how using agile methods can deliver real-time results. In particular, it explains how OneBlood used a dashboard to highlight a few of the key tools in pandemic preparedness.
Using the right data is essential. For instance, one of the most important things a blood centre can do is collect objective recipient clinical information. To do so, it is recommended to start collecting this information from the very beginning.
Another thing that OneBlood did was to create a dashboard for its supply chain. Developed by DataBrains, this included a migration from Tableau Online to Tableau Server. By completing this task, OneBlood's data science team was able to hone its analytical skills.
A dashboard can show you what is happening in your supply chain in real time. For example, how many syringes of blood are being donated. It can also show you what supplies you need to purchase next. If you are a blood centre, you will want to consider developing a contract portfolio of domestic suppliers.
Porters Five Forces
The Porter's Five Forces model is a key tool in assessing an organization's competitiveness. It helps to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a company, the potential for profitability in a sector, and the risks associated with new competitors.
As the name suggests, the Porter's Five Forces model assesses five influential forces, each linked to a different category. In a nutshell, these forces are buyer/supplier power, market intensity, substitutes, competition, and industry size.
One of the most important factors that the model measures is the number of competitors in an industry. An industry with many competitors has less buyer/supplier power. This means that companies need to be careful about their pricing strategy, and the price flexibility of their products.
Another key factor is the number of substitutes. Substitutes are products and services that are available in the marketplace, but are not offered by the company. These substitutes may allow a company to replace its products or services, but they also lower the company's ability to exercise its pricing power.
If the industry is highly competitive, the margins tend to be tight, and the companies are likely to lose out on market share to newcomers. However, if the industry is not as competitive, the companies have more room to increase their prices.
Companies in highly competitive industries can use the Five Forces model to analyze the strength of their competitors, determine their strengths and weaknesses, and evaluate the market for investment opportunities. By using this tool, businesses can determine how to position themselves in the marketplace, and win loyal customers.
PESTLE Analysis
OneBlood, the third largest blood bank in the US, is a worthy subject of study. The entity is a good test case for agile supply chain management. Its most recent incarnation has made waves with its lean and mean strategy, and the resulting resurgence has not been without its share of blunders. In addition, the entity's supply chain is facing a COVID-19 smackdown. So, it is no wonder that a comprehensive PESTEL analysis is required. While the aforementioned lean and mean strategy isn't necessarily a bad thing, the ills of a haphazardly done supply chain need to be countered.
A PESTEL analysis can prove a company's mettle, but it must be done on a regular basis. Getting a handle on a company's most glaring deficiencies and instituting an effective contingency plan can go a long way toward securing the tetrad. With the advent of Amazon in many countries' capitals, the entity must also be cognizant of the burgeoning retail shopping frenzy. Fortunately, there is one oh-so-nicely-done PESTEL analysis out there to help it along. Thankfully, a proper oh-so-nicely-done oh-so-well-done PESTEL analysis can keep an eye out for potential adversaries as well as provide a handy benchmark against which all other competitors can be measured.
Financial Analysis
As the third largest blood bank in the United States, OneBlood is in a unique position to gauge the effects of COVID-19 on the nation's blood supply. Its CFO penned a memo recommending the adoption of an agile supply chain model. A slew of stakeholders will be needed to maintain the momentum. But how do you go about it? The following is a guide to the best practices for executing this lofty mission.
In the context of this specific scenario, the most effective approach would be to adopt the agile supply chain philosophy and to implement the best practices of the industry as a whole. This will ensure a smooth transition from a more reactive business model to one that is more proactive. And the most efficient way to do this is to have your senior management teams involved in the process. These individuals can act as gatekeepers to the enterprise and provide the necessary information to get the job done on time and within budget. Moreover, these folks have the authority to veto any proposed reorganizations.
To make the process more palatable, it may be worthwhile to establish a set of core guidelines for the company's senior management teams. These include a heightened awareness of the company's risk and reward profile, a greater appreciation for the complexity of the task at hand, and a clearer sense of the strategic imperative to achieving a successful outcome.
Recommendations
As demand for goods and services increases, organizations need to be able to respond quickly and efficiently. Agility is a key factor in creating a resilient supply chain. It is critical to many industries.
An agile supply chain is one that is characterized by flexibility, speed, and adaptability. This allows firms to take advantage of opportunities for growth and cost savings. Companies that focus on agility are better prepared for disruptive events, such as a pandemic, and they will be able to respond more rapidly to market trends.
To build an agile supply chain, you need to implement the right tools and technologies. Data analysis is a core component of this strategy. You must also ensure that there are no information delays in your operations.
One of the best ways to achieve agility is to develop collaborative procurement processes. By working with multiple manufacturers, you will be able to meet customer demand more effectively. Also, you will be able to introduce new products to your customers based on their interests.
Another important part of an agile supply chain is a streamlined distribution network. Working with multiple manufacturers can help to ensure that there is enough inventory in stock. Additionally, sourcing products closer to home will reduce transportation costs.
An efficient procurement process can also contribute to the increased visibility of your supply chain. Using technology such as Jiga's software can facilitate this process.
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