Maturity Scan

Question 1

What are the three warehouse implementation pitfalls to avoid?

Answer 1

1. Being absorbed in a fire-fighting routine
2. Introducing new technology before getting the process right
3. Deploying supply chain initiatives without adequate information and systems

These pitfalls can severely impact warehouse performance and efficiency.

Question 2

What is the ultimate goal of warehouse optimisation?

Answer 2

To increase the warehouse’s performance and contribute to the organisation’s overall performance and competitive advantage

Warehouse optimisation should align with the organisation’s goals and objectives.

Question 3

List the stages of the growth path for warehouse optimisation.

Answer 3

1. Reactive warehouse management stage
2. Effective warehouse management stage
3. Responsive warehouse management stage
4. Collaborative warehouse management stage

Each stage has different characteristics and improvements in overall warehouse performance.

Question 4

What characterises the reactive warehouse management stage?

Answer 4

Processes are unstructured and ill-defined, performance is unreliable, and there is a need to constantly react to the same events

This stage is considered the worst-case scenario.

Question 5

What is the focus of effective warehouse management?

Answer 5

Standardisation of warehouse management, setting goals, identifying costs, and detecting performance levels

The goal is to drive down costs and achieve consistent performance.

Question 6

What technology is commonly used in responsive warehouse management?

Answer 6

Warehouse Management System (WMS)

This technology is used to gather data and improve performance in real-time.

Question 7

What is the objective of collaborative warehouse management?

Answer 7

To align the services provided by the warehouse with the overall supply chain objectives and ensure processes and technology are in place

This stage emphasizes doing things right rather than just doing things effectively.

Question 8

True or False: The reactive warehouse management stage is the baseline and absolute worst-case scenario.

Answer 8

True

This stage serves as a starting point for assessing warehouse maturity.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: The effective warehouse management stage aims to drive down costs and achieve _______.

Answer 9

consistent performance

This stage introduces structures to improve transparency and identify bottlenecks.

Question 10

What are the questions to consider for the effective warehouse management stage?

Answer 10

Questions 1 – 6

These questions help assess the maturity of the warehouse at this stage.

Question 11

What is the primary focus in the responsive warehouse management stage?

Answer 11

Utilising information technology to respond to real-time events

Intelligent planning and control mechanisms are introduced to improve resource utilisation.

Question 12

What questions should be considered for the collaborative warehouse management stage?

Answer 12

Questions 13 – 18

These questions guide the evaluation of the warehouse’s role in the supply chain.