MITx: Advanced Supply Chain Systems Planning and Network Design course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This course provides a comprehensive introduction to advanced supply chain systems, focusing on planning, network design, and optimization. Learners will explore how global supply chains are structured and managed through analytical models and real-world case studies. The curriculum spans five core modules and a final project, with a total time commitment of approximately 120–150 hours, designed to be completed over 16–20 weeks. Emphasis is placed on practical applications in logistics, inventory management, and data-driven decision-making, making it ideal for professionals in operations and supply chain roles.
Module 1: Foundations of Supply Chain Systems
Estimated time: 30 hours
- Structure of modern supply chain networks
- Components: suppliers, production facilities, distribution centers
- Coordination across global markets
- Role of supply chain planning in business strategy
- Case studies of efficient supply chain systems
Module 2: Demand Forecasting & Planning
Estimated time: 40 hours
- Forecasting methods in supply chain management
- Impact of demand variability on logistics decisions
- Strategies for inventory and production planning
- Quantitative models for demand forecasting
- Application of forecasting in global supply chains
Module 3: Network Design & Optimization
Estimated time: 40 hours
- Designing logistics networks for global operations
- Location selection for warehouses and distribution centers
- Optimization models in network planning
- Transportation strategies and logistics efficiency
- Cost-performance tradeoffs in supply chain design
Module 4: Inventory & Logistics Strategy
Estimated time: 30 hours
- Strategies for balancing inventory costs and service levels
- Transportation and distribution planning
- Managing supply chain risks
- Improving logistics performance through strategic planning
Module 5: Final Supply Chain Analysis Project
Estimated time: 30 hours
- Analyze a real-world business scenario
- Apply supply chain planning and optimization techniques
- Develop a comprehensive network design proposal
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with basic operations management concepts
- Understanding of quantitative analysis methods
- Basic proficiency in data interpretation and modeling
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Design and optimize supply chain networks
- Apply forecasting models to predict demand accurately
- Use analytical methods to improve logistics efficiency
- Evaluate tradeoffs between cost and performance in network design
- Develop data-driven strategies for inventory and distribution