Supply Chain Scenario Planning and Simulation Course

Course Introduction

Supply chain scenario planning and simulation is a critical capability for organizations seeking to navigate uncertainty, volatility, and disruption in global markets. This course introduces structured approaches to modeling supply chain behavior under multiple future scenarios.

In today’s unpredictable business environment, supply chains are exposed to risks such as demand fluctuations, supplier disruptions, geopolitical changes, and transportation delays. Scenario planning helps organizations anticipate and prepare for these uncertainties.

Participants will learn how to build simulation models that replicate real-world supply chain operations. These models allow decision-makers to test different strategies and evaluate outcomes before implementing changes in live environments.

The course emphasizes the use of advanced simulation tools and techniques, including discrete-event simulation, Monte Carlo analysis, and what-if scenario modeling. These methods provide deep insights into system performance under varying conditions.

A strong focus is placed on strategic decision-making, where participants evaluate trade-offs between cost, service level, risk, and resilience. Simulation becomes a powerful tool for optimizing supply chain design and operations.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to design, run, and interpret supply chain simulations that support robust scenario planning, risk mitigation, and strategic resilience building.

Duration

5 days

Who Should Attend

• Supply chain and logistics managers
• Operations and planning professionals
• Risk management specialists
• Demand and supply planners
• Transportation and distribution managers
• Warehouse operations managers
• Business analysts and data scientists
• Operations research professionals
• Supply chain consultants and strategists
• ERP and planning system analysts

Course Objectives

• Equip participants with the ability to design and implement supply chain scenario planning frameworks that support strategic decision-making under uncertainty.
• Develop strong understanding of simulation modeling techniques used to replicate real-world supply chain operations and behaviors.
• Enable participants to evaluate the impact of disruptions and variability on supply chain performance using structured scenario analysis.
• Strengthen capability to apply what-if analysis for testing alternative supply chain strategies and configurations.
• Build skills to use simulation tools for forecasting outcomes under different demand and supply conditions.
• Enhance ability to assess risk exposure across supply chain networks using scenario-based modeling approaches.
• Train participants to interpret simulation results and translate them into actionable business decisions.
• Improve understanding of trade-offs between cost, service level, resilience, and efficiency in supply chain planning.
• Enable participants to integrate scenario planning into long-term strategic supply chain design processes.
• Foster capability to continuously improve supply chain resilience through data-driven simulation and scenario optimization.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Scenario Planning

• Understanding the importance of scenario planning in modern supply chain management systems.
• Exploring uncertainty factors affecting global supply chain operations and performance.
• Identifying key principles of structured scenario development and analysis.
• Establishing the foundation of simulation-based decision-making in supply chains.

Module 2: Fundamentals of Simulation Modeling

• Understanding simulation concepts and their application in supply chain systems.
• Exploring discrete-event and continuous simulation methodologies.
• Building basic simulation models for supply chain processes.
• Enhancing decision-making through modeling real-world operational behavior.

Module 3: Data Requirements for Simulation

• Identifying critical data inputs for accurate supply chain simulation models.
• Collecting and validating operational, demand, and supply chain data sets.
• Managing data quality and consistency for reliable simulation outcomes.
• Preparing datasets for scenario modeling and analysis.

Module 4: Scenario Development Techniques

• Designing realistic supply chain scenarios based on business uncertainties.
• Developing best-case, worst-case, and baseline scenarios.
• Incorporating external risk factors into scenario planning models.
• Enhancing strategic foresight through structured scenario design.

Module 5: Monte Carlo Simulation Methods

• Understanding probability-based simulation techniques in supply chains.
• Applying Monte Carlo methods for demand and supply variability analysis.
• Modeling uncertainty using statistical distributions.
• Improving forecasting accuracy through probabilistic simulation.

Module 6: Supply Chain Risk Modeling

• Identifying risk factors affecting supply chain performance.
• Quantifying risk impact through simulation models.
• Evaluating disruption scenarios and mitigation strategies.
• Enhancing resilience through risk-based planning approaches.

Module 7: What-If Analysis and Decision Support

• Performing what-if analysis for supply chain decision scenarios.
• Comparing alternative operational and strategic options.
• Supporting executive decision-making with simulation insights.
• Improving agility through rapid scenario testing.

Module 8: Simulation Software and Tools

• Exploring industry-standard supply chain simulation platforms.
• Using software tools for building and running simulation models.
• Visualizing simulation outputs for better interpretation.
• Enhancing efficiency through digital simulation technologies.

Module 9: Performance Evaluation and Optimization

• Evaluating supply chain performance under different scenarios.
• Identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies through simulation.
• Optimizing supply chain configurations for improved outcomes.
• Enhancing operational efficiency using simulation insights.

Module 10: Strategic Implementation and Integration

• Integrating scenario planning into supply chain strategy development.
• Aligning simulation outputs with business objectives.
• Managing change based on scenario insights and recommendations.
• Ensuring continuous improvement through iterative simulation planning.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue 

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group (at a discount of 10% to 50%) at requested location all over the world. The Onsite course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, buffet lunch, airport transfers, Upskill gift package, and guided tour.

Visa application, travel expenses, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment:

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.