Designing and Managing Multiple Supply Chains

In this paper a perspective is taken which treats traditional supply chains and mass customisation as opposite ends of the delivery spectrum. This leads logically to a response to the emerging requirement that “One Size Does Not Fit All” by selecting, engineering, and operating multiple pipelines tailored to the needs of the marketplace. This in turn suggests a “postponement matrix” as a tool for pipeline design based on the appropriate combination of lean and agile processes. Our arguments are illustrated by reference to a case study in which the pipelines are chosen according to life cycle phase and the relevant importance of Order Winners/Market Qualifiers. Substantial bottom-line benefits are shown to accrue from this approach. Finally, embedding the case study results into the postponement literature enables a family of seven generic pipelines to be identified.