Example reflection – Mind Map

Challenge:

Automotive supply chain is one of the most complex supply chains, it associated with multiple actors, a  lot of infrastructure, and money. Moreover, everyone’s decision accounts for desired output. So, here I’m  trying to understand

1. How automotive supply chain can be digitized, what workflows are more suitable for digitization   2. The amount of infrastructure present in the organization  3. Technologies which are more suitable for each module/process  4. How the process and key performance indicators (KPI) are being monitored,   5. What precautionary and diagnostic steps are management is taking, after effective monitoring of KPIs  6. The various stakeholder and their responsibilities

By addressing the above points, I wanted to understand automotive supply chain eco system and scope  for technology advancements.

Here I’m selecting “Mind Map” as a tool, as it is very much suitable for explaining a context and  environment. Here I wanted to understand about automotive supply chain, so I believe mind map is a  good for that.

Selection: Mind map

A mind map is a diagram that displays information visually. The subject of a mind map is always  located in the center of the map. From there, related ideas and keywords branch out in all  directions, resulting in a radiant structure. Mind is effective because

•  It’s radiant structure directly corresponds to the way our brains store and retrieve  information.

•  It conveys the hierarchy and relationships between individual ideas and enables you to see  the big picture.

•  It makes use of mental triggers (such as pictures, colors, and connections) to help your brain  memorize things more easily.

Mind map tool can be used to organize large amounts of information, combining spatial  organization, dynamic hierarchical structuring and node folding. Software packages can extend  the concept of mind-mapping by allowing individuals to map more than thoughts and ideas with  information on their computers and the Internet, like spreadsheets, documents, Internet sites  and images. It has been suggested that mind-mapping can improve learning/study efficiency up  to 15% over conventional notes taking

Constructing the mind map is easy and efficient by following these steps.

1. Create the central idea  2. Brainstorm topics and their selection  3. Create sub topics

4. Rearrange the topics  5. Add images and formatting  6. Add notes and research for justification

Application:

After deciding on mind map for exploring automotive supply chain ecosystem, I started listing  out various roles, responsibilities, stakeholders, and activities. The stakeholders include tier 3  suppliers, tier 2 supplier, tier 1 suppliers, original equipment manufacturers, dealers, customers,  third party logistic providers, customs department, regular bodies etc. These all stakeholders can  be grouped into suppliers, original equipment manufacturers, consumer market, and third  parties. After grouping various people into corresponding lots, I started defining links between  each group. Also tried to visualize how supply side, demand side, and process are linked with  each other, what is happening in each sub group.

Then I started listing out various manufacturing activities with in OEM i.e. production & stamping  of panels, sub-assemblies, assembling & painting, machining & assembly of engine transmission,  sensors installation, final assembly. Also listed various departments in OEM i.e. Marketing and  Sales, design wing, manufacturing operations, supply chain and logistics, industrial management,  purchase, procurement, information technology, human resources, support staff, business  development etc.

Then established various links between these entities, illustrated how one is dependent on other,  also how one is going to impact others works directly and indirectly. All put together illustrated  in below images.

Insight & Approach:

After illustrating various components in mind map along with relation between each, I developed  an overall idea on automotive supply chain ecosystem. Also, concluded on various  communications between different people, and the challenges faced by automotive supply chain.  With an over all idea of flow between actors, digitization will be efficient and eventually help us  in leveraging better technologies for specific bottle neck or issues. Here I demonstrated mind  map in block level rather than component level, which explains each detail in greater level. The  need for transparent, traceable, visible, and efficient supply chains will drive the digital  transformation in the automotive industry. As emerging technologies are disrupting many  practices, practitioners are required to assess their current stand in entire industry. It is important  for practitioners to be informed about the pros and cons ASC processes, when a firm is adopting  a trending technology it is important to conduct a study to analyses the amount complexity it  brings into along with added benefits.

