OTHM Level 7 Diploma Unit Supply Chain and Operations Management (R/616/2728) Assignment Brief 2026

1.2 Explain the relationship of supply chain management with other business functions in an organisation.

1.3  Critically analyse the key success factors that aid in developing an integrated supply chain strategy in an organisation.

Supply chain and operations management relationship types: basic and critical understanding of relationship between supply chain and operations management types; alliances e.g. strategic, adversarial, collaborative, developmental; business relationship e.g. supplier, business to business, business to consumer; networks e.g. personal, business; organisational; association e.g. supplier association; supplier development; intermediation and disintermediation.

Key success factors that support to develop an integrated supply chain strategy in an organisation: success factors identification and critical analysis; cost reductions and customer service; demand fulfilment; time compression; total ownership cost reduction; basic facilitators for effective supply chain management e.g. inventory, facilities, information, transportation, pricing, sourcing, technology, customer services.

Critically evaluate factors and strategies that drive operations management: the conceptual understanding of information technology and operation management; the impact of globalisation; factors to adopt information technology; the impact of IT on operations management.

2.2 Assess the use of information technology to create strategies to develop effective supplier relationships.

2.3 Recommend supplier relations systems to maintain relationships with suppliers.

3.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of procurement strategies and procedures in an organisation.

3.3 Critically analyse factors that may improve logistics and procurement strategies in an organisation.

4.2 Critically evaluate the role of the principles of LIFO and FIFO in inventory control.

4.3 Evaluate the just in time systems of managing inventory.

5.2 Plan various supply chain strategies to improve an organisation’s supply chain.

5.3 Justify the choice of a supply chain strategy according to its suitability, feasibility, acceptability

and overall performance benefits in an organisation.

Critical explanation of the importance and use of logistics in operations management in an organisation: logistics e.g. features in a changed global business organisational context; interrelationships with supply and operational chain management; logistics planning; control and functioning of product movement and storage; raw materials management; operational activities and marketing; product supply and information circulation; aspects covering product supply and use.

Evaluation of effectiveness of procurement strategies and procedures in an organisation: the key aspects of procurement; the selection of suppliers; policies of procurement; optimal procurement; quality; reliability.

Critical analysis and discussion of factors to improve logistics and procurement strategies: factors of logistics and procurement strategy improvement; the role of external factors; internal factors as related to logistics and procurement; the role of stakeholders and beneficiaries; the development of logistics and procurement strategies.

Critical evaluation of the role of principles LIFO and FIFO in inventory control: inventory management; shipment; lead time reduction; lean organisational control; online business communities; information sharing; online inventory management;

LIFO (First- in-first-out), FIFO (Last-in first-out) and

AVCO (Average cost or weighted cost) e.g.

definition, characteristics, capacities; effectiveness in changed global environments; roles in managing inflation, taxation and cost flow.

Evaluation of just in time systems of managing inventory: Just in Time (JIT) qualifications e.g. definition, features, capacities, tools and procedures; transaction cost reduction; purchasing capacities improvements; purchase scheduling; order processing; tracking.

Analysing factors and contextual environment of operations management: strategic implementation of stock holding reduction

strategies; waste reduction strategy implementation; labour cost reduction strategies; manufacturing facilities improvement; on time supply; customer service improvement; factors related to supply chain e.g. marketing, financial, sales, manufacturing, human resources; operational.

Plans to overcome barriers of supplying chain improvement strategy: strategic supply chain improvement barrier identification; problems of cash flow; lack of efficiencies in inventory management; distribution network inappropriateness; distribution strategy ineffectiveness; logistical activity trade-offs e.g. reducing transportation costs, inventory holding cost reduction; ineffective supply chain information sharing.

Propose a resource and time plan: problem identification for operations strategy implementation; strategic resource allocation plan; strategic time management plan; understanding the development areas of an organisation; comprehensive strategic management plan implementation covering areas as production management, distribution management, channel management, inventory management, customer service management, financial management, payment management, supplier management, and transportation management.