CHSCM 3.0 - Unit 1 - SCM in the Humanitarian World

Once all of the components of each supply chain option are assessed and analyzed, you will be able
to generate options for the design of the supply chain. It is important to recognize that in most
situations there will be more than one option for the supply chain design. Consequently, each
option must be evaluated so that the most appropriate choice can be made for implementation.
We will first examine some criteria that can be used for evaluation, and then we will examine how
our planning process can be used to amend or adjust the plan as a result of the evaluation.
It is possible to use many different criteria for evaluation, but the one we will use covers three
factors:
• Suitability • Acceptability • Feasibility
Suitability considers whether a plan fits with the future trends and changes in the environment, and
how the plan might stretch and exploit the core competences of the organization. Suitability can be
thought of as the plan’s rationale as to whether it makes sense in relation to the position of the
organization.
Earlier in this unit, we examined assessment and policies, standards, and strategy, not only to
understand current situations but also to explore which actions might be deemed preferable. Plans
might be regarded as suitable if:
• Service requirements are met within the constraints present
• Organization strengths are capitalized and weaknesses are avoided or minimized
• Stakeholder expectations are addressed
Fundamentally, a supply chain plan has been designed to satisfy service requirements placed on it
by other parts of the organization. A key part of suitability analysis considers whether or not these
requirements will be satisfied.
It is also important to understand why plans might be unsuitable. First, a plan might not address all
three aspects of suitability. For example, it might respond to environmental opportunities, but not
maximize the strengths of the organization or meet stakeholder expectations.
While one plan might meet the suitability criteria, there could be another plan that is more suitable.
In such cases, each plan must be evaluated on a relative basis using techniques such as ranking,
force field analysis, or decision trees.
All elements of a plan must be consistent. The supply chain structure, level of resourcing, and
methods of control must all be aligned. A supply chain will only be successful if these elements are