Operations and Supply Chain Planning

Supply chain planning is a crucial factor for operational excellence and competitive advantage. Related concepts and approaches were already designed in the last century and are now implemented by most firms in almost every industry sector. Advanced planning systems that provide decision-support for supply chain planning were conceptualized and developed several decades ago and are still in place and used by planners in their daily work. However, progress in information technology and megatrends of sustainability and digitalization as well as global crises and disasters considerably change the business environment in which companies and supply chains operate. Supply chain planning processes and systems must be extended, adapted, and amended to reflect these developments and transitions. This chapter summarizes the fundamental concepts of supply chain planning and advanced planning systems and outlines which changes and advancements are needed to ensure that processes and tools remain strong contributors to business success for firms and supply chains. Practitioners may gain insight about fundamental developments and trends in supply chain planning while scholars may find stimuli for further research and future studies on this topic.