Table of contents: Task | Contents | 1 | * Explain the importance of effective supply chain management in achieving organisational objectives * Explain the link between supply chain management and business functions in an organisation * Discuss the key drivers for achieving an integrated supply chain strategy in an organisation | 2 | * Evaluate the effectiveness of strategies used by an organisation to maintain supplier relationships * Use information technology to create strategies to develop an organisation’s relationship with its suppliers * Develop systems to maintain an organisation’s relationship with its suppliers | 3 | * Assess how information technology could assist integration of different parts of the supply chain of an organisation * Evaluate how information technology has contributed to the management of the supply chain of an organisation * Assess the effectiveness of information technology in managing the supply chain of an organisation | 4 | * Explain the role of logistics in supply chain management in an organisation * Evaluate procurement practices in an organisation * Discuss the factors that must be considered when improving logistics and procurement practices in an organisation | 5 | * Plan a strategy to improve an organisation’s supply chain * Assess how a supply chain improvement strategy will benefit overall business performance in an organisation * Explain how barriers will be overcome in an organisation when implementing a supply chain improvement strategy |

Introduction
Supply chain management operates at three levels; strategic, tactical and operational. At the strategic level, company management makes high level strategic supply chain decisions that are relevant to whole organization. The decisions that are made with regards to the supply chain should reflect the overall corporate