1st Edition

Velocity Management in Logistics and Distribution Lessons from the Military to Secure the Speed of Business

By Joseph L Walden Copyright 2006
    354 Pages 42 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Conducting "business as usual" is out of step with today's rapid-fire, global economy. Velocity Management in Logistics and Distribution: Lessons from the Military to Secure the Speed of Business alerts commerce to the new reality that it must be more flexible and responsive in managing the unpredictability of its environment, particularly when it comes to the supply chain process. This comprehensive resource explains how to successfully migrate towards velocity management, which espouses replacing traditional reliance on mass quantities of inventory with receiving what is needed when it is needed - providing businesses with the ability to rapidly meet customers' ever-changing requirements.

    The velocity management paradigm is based on the highly successful example set by the United States Army, as illustrated by the author, a renowned speaker and retired colonel with more than 26 years of supply chain and leadership experience. He explains how the Army went from being mired in a mammoth, archaic, Cold War logistics infrastructure to achieving a lean, agile, world-class supply chain network.

    Chapters detail how this transition can be accomplished in the business arena. They relay aspects essential to achieving a successful supply chain: maintaining security, achieving velocity, and applying military theories, practices, and lessons learned. This invaluable and timely reference concludes with a summary of key themes and their relevant application to modern supply chains.

    INTRODUCTION

    ASSESSING AND MANAGING RISK AND SECURITY
    Risk Assessment
    Risk Management and Supply Chain Security
    Securing Your Supply Chain

    SUPPLY CHAIN VELOCITY AND HOW TO ACHIEVE IT
    Corporate Awareness and Velocity
    Personal and Professional Development
    Leadership and Lessons for Leading 21st Century Supply Chains
    to the Next Level of Excellence
    Speed and Velocity: How to Achieve Them

    MILITARY THEORY, PRACTICES, AND LESSONS LEARNED AS THEY APPLY TO 21ST CENTURY SUPPLY CHAINS
    The After Action Review
    Lessons Learned from Military Operations and the Application for
    Commercial Supply Chains

    CONCLUSIONS

    APPENDICES
    Appendix 1: Bibliography
    Appendix 2: Warehouse Modernization and Layout Planning
    Guide
    Appendix 3: Forms and Checklists
    Appendix 4: The Military Decision Making Process-A User's
    Guide
    Appendix 5: World-Class Distribution Center Qualities and
    Attributes
    Appendix 6: Counseling Checklist
    Appendix 7: After Action Review Format

    Biography

    Joseph L Walden

    "….makes logistics logical and emphasizes its importance."
    Security Letter, September, 2005