For your term project, the intent is to study an existing or prospective supply chain for a D-Lab product or technology, or something comparable in intent and spirit. There is no single template for this project. But each project should think about the following questions:
- What are the primary objectives and key performance measures for this supply chain?
- What are the key challenges or issues in matching supply to demand for this supply chain? How would you characterize these as related to the material covered in the class?
- How might these challenges be addressed, both in terms of the design of the supply chain, as well as supply chain planning and execution?
- What are the implementation steps for either setting up or improving the supply chain?
We will try to initiate the projects in the first few weeks of the term, then have a mid-way check-in on your progress, and expect your final presentation and a paper in the last week.
Recent Projects
| YEARS | COMPANIES / PROJECTS | SUMMARIES |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Barefoot Power | Design of a reverse logistics supply chain for warranty support for solar lamps. |
| Pure Home Water Filter | Distribution of water filters in Ghana, enabled by micro-financing. | |
| SolarClave | Manufacturing and distributing a solar-powered autoclave, for use at health clinics in Nicaragua. | |
| 2012 | Crayons Supply Chain | Development of organic crayons from local ingredients to widen use of pigment to other applications such as artist supplies. |
| Essmart | Essmart makes social impact technologies available in local retail shops so that they reach low-income end users. | |
| LFC Supply Chain | Optimization of supply chain costs around the production of the Leveraged Freedom Chair to bring it from India to Guatemala. | |
| Moringa Oil Supply Chain | Empowering farmers by providing them with affordable processing technology and connecting them to export markets for moringa oil. | |
| Supply and Demand of Agricultural Waste Charcoal | To determine the optimal perimeters of agricultural waste charcoal production in rural Kenya, to match both supply and demand. |