Now available through Onsite and Virtual Education Programs, ISM Introduces P-Strat: Supply Management Strategy Simulation

A hands-on approach to creating and using supply management strategies.

Make a powerful impact on your organization with P-Strat.

By its nature, P-Strat is an excellent team building exercise, and can be used to reinforce skills in market intelligence, financial analysis, risk and presenting a business case.

How does P-Strat work?

P-Strat is a classroom-based simulation. This unique computerized model enables three to four teams to develop and implement purchasing strategies in a real-time environment.

Each team gathers information, interacts with suppliers, analyzes spend, makes decisions and awards business. Teams compete against each other and each team's set of decisions "impacts the market" and affects team decision-making in future rounds.

An instructor introduces the simulation exercise though lectures and works throughout the two-day program to help participants learn from their decisions. Teams work to impact profitability, reduce cost, improve quality and delivery, and implement other value enhancing initiatives. Results of their decisions are presented in financial statements, quality, manufacturing, and other reports. Based on their individual results, teams modify their strategy for future rounds.

Performance depends entirely on supply-based strategy and decisions. In sequential rounds, teams can consider more than 17 intelligence gathering options and 19 supply leverage tools. These include benchmarking, bundling, direct sourcing and online auctions. Market intelligence reports are also available which include consumer satisfaction and supplier operations. Supply strategies must ultimately be developed for both materials and services, and presented to the facilitator who acts as the CEO.

What companies have already benefited from P-Strat?

Several companies have already engaged in P-Strat simulation. The following are just a few that are benefiting today from their P-Strat experience:

Alcoa, Aluminum and metals manufacturer
Unilever, Personal health and beauty products
Gillette, Consumer products
GKN, Automotive and aerospace
British Telecom, Telecommunications
LloydsTSB, Banking and financial services
Phelps Dodge Mining, Mining
Kraft, Food and beverage
InBev, Brewery

What can I expect when I bring P-Strat to my company?

• View P-Strat's Course Outline
  
  
• View P-Strat's Simulation Screenshots
  
  
• Download the P-Strat Course Presentation (PDF)
  
  
• Download the P-Strat Flyer (PDF)

Join other supply management professionals to discover learning at its best!

"P-Strat is very challenging and rewarding. It taught us to look at all facets of a business and develop a strategy to meet the overall goals that we set for our company."

"This program was fun and engaged the participants, allowing us to try different supply management strategies."

"P-Strat brings key procurement and supply chain management principles to life and the real value they can add to the bottomline."

"I really enjoyed the course and learned a lot that I can take back and apply. I liked how the customer and supplier view points were tied together. The examples and experiences shared were great."

"I thought the content was pertinent and informative. The program leader did a wonderful job and was very personable."

"This was a good simulation program, and very close to real life!"

"The instructor did a great job in meeting the needs of the team members. The atmosphere of this course was very open and flexible, and easy to work within."

"I liked the real-time simulation and interaction with other team members."

If you think your supply management team can benefit from ISM's P-Strat simulation, contact Rene Yates for additional information.

View other available courses that ISM can deliver to your team.

Related Resources: Supplier Relationship Management at Kraft Foods Seventh Annual Services Group Conference -- Services Spend: Your Value Powerhouse Meeting Minutes - PDF Endless Possibilities - October 2006 ISM New Qualification Program Exam Specification

Content Recommendations: Just in ETime Newsletter -- January 25, 2007 2007 U.S. Department Of Commerce Annual Adjustments to Seasonal Factors Journal of Supply Chain Management - Fall 2006 Optimization Modeling in Acquisitions: A Case Study from the Motor Carrier Industry Supply Base Reduction: An Empirical Study of Critical Success Factors Update Your Interest Profile