BY ART VAN BODEGRAVEN AND
KENNETH B. ACKERMAN
basictraining
The ABCs of the ABCs –
Alternatives in supply chain education
WE HAVE WRITTEN OFTEN, AND ADMIRINGLY, ABOUT THE
explosion of supply chain education options in North America, as
the profession takes root in the business mainstream. What was the
near-exclusive province of a handful of universities in the ’60s has
grown like kudzu in Georgia and populates curricula in colleges,
universities, community colleges, and for-profit training and education enterprises.
But all may not be champagne wishes and caviar dreams in the academic side of our house.
Recently, we received an impassioned rant from
a less-than-delighted graduate. In sum, he was
telling the world that a college education is a waste
of time and money, undertaken solely to have a
fighting chance at getting a job. Further, he felt—
correctly—that an industrial engineering degree
was not sufficient preparation for a career in supply chain management.
So, how do people wind up in this position? And
how might they reduce the possibility of bitter disappointment?
Let’s begin with the perhaps startling recognition that educational institutions are, while considerably different from pet food manufacturers,
essentially businesses. Their mission includes putting enough butts in
the seats to economically justify curriculum offerings. Not enough
butts = shutting down programs. It’s all about managing a portfolio
of brands.
Just now, the hot brand is supply chain management, and there
are significant marketplace needs for people with supply chain skills
and educations. So, an institution must offer the brand. But realistically, some plan and execute better than others; some have challenging, but realistic, visions, and some have hallucinations and
delusions.
How can a person figure out which offerings are: 1) for real, 2) right
for personal objectives, and 3) good values?
Like anything else of long-term import, there’s a process involved,
with research, introspection, and analysis at its core. And, by the way,
the process is as important to a 50-year-old in mid-career as it is to an
18-year-old freshman contemplating a major.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Let’s deal with a few of the ABCs involved
(although to be honest, there seem to be many
more Cs than As and Bs). Disclosure: A comprehensive listing is probably impossible, but we can
get the thought process started, at least. Some key
considerations are as follows:
Advance Research – It is critical to fully investigate quality and “fit” issues well in advance of
selecting a program and an
institution. Looking back with
regret is neither satisfying nor
effective.
Assessments – As part of the
initial research, use the magic
of Google to identify leading
supply chain programs and
find out why they are recognized and highly regarded.
Career Objectives – The individual must understand what
he or she wants to get out of
the effort. Is it a job and a pay-
check? Is it a launching pad for achieving professional excellence and recognition? Is it learning
about how to solve problems, make change, drive
enterprise performance, manage complex projects, and set out on a path of continuous
improvement and growth? Is the world of analytics and research a comfortable landing place? Or
is teaching the sought-after high calling?
Content – Does the curriculum include all
elements of supply chain management (SCM) planning and operations? If not, why not? And how
important is any omission to one’s objectives?
Concept – Is the supply chain approached as a
holistic and integrated progression toward ultimate customer success and competitive advantage? Or is it viewed as a collection of functions?
