Supply chain

Supply chain

Overview

What is the Supply Chain Domain?

The Supply Chain domain represents the end-to-end network and processes governing the flow of materials, goods, services, and related information from suppliers through to customers. This domain provides a structured approach for modeling supplier networks, logistics operations, inventory management, and supply chain processes, enabling supply chain-centric analysis that drives strategic planning, operational efficiency, and resilience.

The domain extends the Orthogramic Metamodel by providing deeper insights into supply chain structures, network dynamics, and process flows, enabling organizations to align their capabilities, value streams, and strategies with supply chain realities and objectives.

Purpose and Value

The Supply Chain Domain enables organizations to:

  • Model and analyze the end-to-end supply chain network structure, including suppliers, partners, and logistics operations

  • Map key supply chain processes and their integration points with other business processes

  • Support data-driven decision making about network design, supplier selection, and inventory policies

  • Drive resilience through improved visibility into supply chain risks and vulnerabilities

  • Measure and improve supply chain performance across cost, service, quality, and sustainability dimensions

  • Provide a structured foundation for supply chain governance and optimization

  • Align supply chain design with strategic business objectives and customer requirements

Core Concepts

Supplier Network
A structured arrangement of supplier relationships that provide goods, services, or materials to the organization. Supplier networks enable categorization and management of external organizations that contribute to the supply chain.

Supply Chain Process
A defined sequence of activities that transform inputs into outputs within the supply chain context, such as sourcing, production planning, or order fulfillment. Process mapping provides visibility into how work flows through the supply chain.

Logistics Network
The physical facilities, transportation connections, and distribution channels through which materials and products flow to reach customers. Logistics network analysis provides insights into physical movement optimization.

Inventory Management
The approaches, policies, and systems used to maintain optimal inventory levels throughout the supply chain. Inventory analysis supports balancing cost efficiency with service level requirements.

Conclusion

The Supply Chain Domain extends the Orthogramic Metamodel with a robust framework for modeling and managing supply chain aspects of business architecture. By providing structured schemas for supplier networks, supply chain processes, logistics networks, and inventory management, it enables organizations to systematically align their supply chain design with strategic objectives and operational requirements.

The integration with the Strategic Response Model ensures that supply chain insights drive strategic decision-making and organizational change. This domain complements other domains by focusing on the external network and flow dimensions that enable organizational activities, providing critical context for strategic planning and operational execution.

Organizations can use this domain to develop a more comprehensive understanding of their supply chain ecosystem, identify optimization opportunities, and ensure that strategic initiatives properly account for supply chain capabilities and constraints.

 

Example Implementation

Example: Global Manufacturing Supply Chain Analysis

{ "supplyChainID": "SC-MFG-001", "title": "Global Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain", "description": "End-to-end supply chain for consumer electronics manufacturing, including component sourcing, assembly operations, distribution networks, and aftermarket service fulfillment.", "supplyChainCategory": "manufacturing", "orgUnitTitle": "Global Supply Chain Management", "orgUnitRoles": ["Chief Supply Chain Officer", "Director of Global Sourcing", "Logistics Operations Manager"], "supplyChainScope": "enterprise", "geographicCoverage": { "regions": ["North America", "Europe", "Asia-Pacific", "Southeast Asia"], "countries": ["United States", "China", "Vietnam", "Germany", "Malaysia", "Mexico"], "coverageType": "global", "expansionPlans": "Evaluating new manufacturing hub in Eastern Europe by 2026" }, "locationStrategy": { "strategyType": "proximity-to-supply", "strategyDescription": "Primary manufacturing facilities positioned near key semiconductor and component suppliers with regional distribution centers close to major markets", "evaluationCriteria": ["Supplier ecosystem density", "Labor expertise", "Logistics infrastructure", "Tax incentives"] }, "leadTime": { "endToEndLeadTime": "45-60 days", "componentLeadTimes": [ { "componentName": "Semiconductor procurement", "duration": "30-45 days", "variability": "High - affected by global shortages" }, { "componentName": "Final assembly", "duration": "7 days", "variability": "Low" }, { "componentName": "Distribution to regional centers", "duration": "5-10 days", "variability": "Medium - affected by port congestion" } ], "leadTimeReliability": "72% on-time delivery to commitment dates", "improvementTargets": "Reduce end-to-end lead time to 35 days by Q4 2026" }, "volumeCapacity": { "normalCapacity": "1.2 million units per month", "peakCapacity": "1.5 million units per month", "unitOfMeasure": "Finished device units", "utilizationRate": "83% average utilization", "capacityConstraints": ["Semiconductor availability", "Skilled labor in Vietnam facility", "Q4 shipping capacity"], "expansionPlans": "15% capacity increase planned for Vietnam facility in 2026" }, "costStructure": { "totalCost": "$425M annual supply chain operational cost", "costComponents": [ { "componentName": "Materials and components", "amount": "$312M", "percentage": 73.4 }, { "componentName": "Manufacturing labor", "amount": "$48M", "percentage": 11.3 }, { "componentName": "Logistics and transportation", "amount": "$36M", "percentage": 8.5 }, { "componentName": "Warehousing and inventory", "amount": "$19M", "percentage": 4.5 }, { "componentName": "Supply chain management", "amount": "$10M", "percentage": 2.3 } ], "costTrends": "Component costs decreasing 3% annually, logistics costs increasing 7% annually", "costReductionTargets": "8% total cost reduction target over next 24 months" }, "flexibilityRating": { "overallRating": "moderate", "volumeFlexibility": "high", "mixFlexibility": "moderate", "newProductFlexibility": "low", "improvementFocus": "Enhancing new product introduction capabilities through modular manufacturing processes" }, "resilienceRating": { "overallRating": "moderate", "redundancyLevel": "low", "diversificationLevel": "moderate", "visibilityLevel": "high", "recoveryCapability": "moderate", "resilienceInvestments": ["Secondary supplier qualification program", "Regional inventory buffers", "Multi-modal transportation capability"] }, "riskProfile": { "overallRiskLevel": "high", "keyRiskFactors": [ { "factorName": "Semiconductor supply constraints", "riskLevel": "high", "mitigationApproach": "Long-term contracts, strategic inventory, supplier diversification" }, { "factorName": "Geopolitical disruption in Asia", "riskLevel": "high", "mitigationApproach": "Manufacturing footprint diversification, scenario planning" }, { "factorName": "Ocean freight capacity and pricing volatility", "riskLevel": "moderate", "mitigationApproach": "Multi-modal options, contract diversification, selective air freight" } ], "riskMonitoringApproach": "Monthly risk review with quarterly simulation and mitigation updates" }, "sustainabilityRating": { "overallRating": "moderate", "carbonFootprint": "187,000 metric tons CO2e annually", "wasteReduction": "72% manufacturing waste diverted from landfill", "socialResponsibility": "Tier 1 suppliers 100% audited for labor practices", "sustainabilityInitiatives": ["Renewable energy transition at owned facilities", "Packaging redesign program", "Scope 3 emissions tracking implementation"], "sustainabilityReporting": "Annual sustainability report with science-based targets" }, "environmentalImpact": { "carbonEmissions": "187,000 metric tons CO2e annually", "waterUsage": "450 million gallons annually", "wasteGeneration": "5,200 tons annually", "resourceConsumption": "Critical minerals: 860 tons annually", "environmentalCompliance": "100% compliance with regulated standards, 85% compliance with voluntary standards", "reductionTargets": ["30% carbon reduction by 2028", "20% water reduction by 2027", "Zero waste to landfill by 2029"] }, "qualityMetrics": [ { "metricName": "First Pass Yield", "metricDescription": "Percentage of units passing quality testing on first attempt", "currentValue": "94.6%", "targetValue": "97%", "trend": "improving" }, { "metricName": "Defect Rate", "metricDescription": "Defects per million opportunities", "currentValue": "350 DPMO", "targetValue": "200 DPMO", "trend": "improving" }, { "metricName": "Customer Return Rate", "metricDescription": "Percentage of shipped products returned due to quality issues", "currentValue": "1.8%", "targetValue": "1.0%", "trend": "stable" } ], "technologyEnablers": [ { "technologyName": "Supply Chain Control Tower", "technologyPurpose": "End-to-end visibility and exception management", "implementationStatus": "operational", "businessImpact": "45% reduction in supply disruption resolution time" }, { "technologyName": "Digital Twin Simulation", "technologyPurpose": "Network design and scenario planning", "implementationStatus": "implementing", "businessImpact": "Expected 12% improvement in network efficiency" }, { "technologyName": "Machine Learning Demand Forecasting", "technologyPurpose": "Improved demand prediction accuracy", "implementationStatus": "operational", "businessImpact": "18% reduction in forecast error" } ], "digitalMaturity": { "overallMaturity": "defined", "dataVisibility": "advanced", "processAutomation": "developing", "advancedAnalytics": "defined", "digitalRoadmap": "Digital supply chain transformation program with focus on process automation and predictive analytics through 2027" }, "maturityLevel": { "overallMaturity": "defined", "processMaturity": "managed", "performanceManagement": "defined", "maturityAssessmentDate": "2025-02-15" }, "improvementOpportunities": [ { "opportunityName": "Supplier Collaboration Platform", "opportunityDescription": "Implementation of real-time collaboration tools for design and planning with key suppliers", "potentialImpact": "high", "implementationComplexity": "medium", "status": "planning" }, { "opportunityName": "New Product Introduction Process Redesign", "opportunityDescription": "Streamlining of supply chain integration in NPI to reduce time-to-market", "potentialImpact": "high", "implementationComplexity": "high", "status": "evaluating" }, { "opportunityName": "Logistics Network Optimization", "opportunityDescription": "Comprehensive review and redesign of global distribution network", "potentialImpact": "medium", "implementationComplexity": "high", "status": "planning" } ], "strategicImportance": { "importanceLevel": "critical", "strategicContribution": "Supply chain capabilities are central to product availability, cost competitiveness, and sustainability goals", "alignmentWithObjectives": [ { "objectiveID": "SO-2025-02", "alignmentDescription": "Supply chain digitalization supports corporate digital transformation objective" }, { "objectiveID": "SO-2025-04", "alignmentDescription": "Sustainability initiatives in supply chain support corporate ESG objectives" } ] }, "competitiveAdvantage": { "advantageLevel": "advantage", "advantageSources": ["Advanced visibility technology", "Supplier relationship depth", "Multi-region manufacturing flexibility"], "competitiveBenchmarking": "Leading in technology adoption and visibility, lagging in new product flexibility compared to key competitors", "sustainabilityOfAdvantage": "Technology advantage requires ongoing investment, relationship advantage sustainable with continued engagement" }, "dependencies": [ { "dependencyType": "Critical", "domainType": "Capability", "entityID": "CAP-SC-003", "description": "Advanced procurement capability" }, { "dependencyType": "Important", "domainType": "Technology", "entityID": "TECH-007", "description": "Supply chain planning and control tower systems" } ], "relatedSupplyChainElements": [ { "elementID": "SC-MFG-002", "relationshipType": "upstream", "relationshipStrength": 4, "description": "Component supplier network for semiconductors" }, { "elementID": "SC-LOG-001", "relationshipType": "downstream", "relationshipStrength": 5, "description": "Global distribution network for finished goods" } ], "governanceModel": { "governanceStructure": "Cross-functional Supply Chain Leadership Council with regional representation", "decisionRights": "Network design decisions centralized, execution decisions regionalized", "performanceReviewProcess": "Monthly operational reviews, quarterly strategic reviews", "continuousImprovement": "Dedicated supply chain excellence team with agile improvement methodology" } }

 

Supply Chain Domain Schema

JSON Schema

See: https://github.com/Orthogramic/Orthogramic_Metamodel/blob/main/schemas/supply-chain.schema.json

Supply Chain Domain Attributes

Field

Type

Required

Description

Example

Field

Type

Required

Description

Example

supplyChainID

string

Yes

Unique identifier for the supply chain element

"SC-MFG-001"

title

string

Yes

The name or title of the supply chain element

"Global Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain"

description

string

Yes

A detailed explanation of the supply chain element

"End-to-end supply chain for consumer electronics manufacturing, including component sourcing, assembly operations, distribution networks, and aftermarket service fulfillment."

supplyChainCategory

string

Yes

Classification within supply network

"manufacturing"

orgUnitTitle

string

Yes

The organization unit responsible for this supply chain element

"Global Supply Chain Management"

orgUnitRoles

array of string

No

Specific roles within the organization unit that manage this supply chain element

["Chief Supply Chain Officer", "Director of Global Sourcing"]

supplyChainScope

string

No

Organizational scope covered by this supply chain element

"enterprise"

geographicCoverage

object

No

Geographic span of the supply chain element

{"regions": ["North America", "Asia-Pacific"], "coverageType": "global"}

locationStrategy

object

No

Approach to geographic positioning

{"strategyType": "proximity-to-supply", "strategyDescription": "Located near key suppliers"}

leadTime

object

No

Time required for fulfillment

{"endToEndLeadTime": "45-60 days", "leadTimeReliability": "72%"}

volumeCapacity

object

No

Throughput capability

{"normalCapacity": "1.2 million units per month", "utilizationRate": "83%"}

costStructure

object

No

Supply chain cost breakdown

{"totalCost": "$425M annual", "costComponents": [{...}]}

flexibilityRating

object

No

Adaptability to change

{"overallRating": "moderate", "volumeFlexibility": "high"}

resilienceRating

object

No

Ability to withstand disruption

{"overallRating": "moderate", "redundancyLevel": "low"}

riskProfile

object

No

Supply chain risk characteristics

{"overallRiskLevel": "high", "keyRiskFactors": [{...}]}

sustainabilityRating

object

No

Environmental and social performance

{"overallRating": "moderate", "carbonFootprint": "187,000 metric tons CO2e"}

environmentalImpact

object

No

Environmental effects of operations

{"carbonEmissions": "187,000 metric tons CO2e", "wasteGeneration": "5,200 tons"}

qualityMetrics

array of objects

No

Quality performance measures

[{"metricName": "First Pass Yield", "currentValue": "94.6%"}]

technologyEnablers

array of objects

No

Supporting technologies

[{"technologyName": "Supply Chain Control Tower", "businessImpact": "45% reduction"}]

digitalMaturity

object

No

Level of digital technology adoption

{"overallMaturity": "defined", "dataVisibility": "advanced"}

maturityLevel

object

No

Current development stage

{"overallMaturity": "defined", "processMaturity": "managed"}

improvementOpportunities

array of objects

No

Areas for enhancement

[{"opportunityName": "Supplier Collaboration Platform", "potentialImpact": "high"}]

strategicImportance

object

No

Significance to business strategy

{"importanceLevel": "critical", "strategicContribution": "Central to product availability"}

competitiveAdvantage

object

No

How supply chain creates competitive advantage

{"advantageLevel": "advantage", "advantageSources": ["Advanced visibility technology"]}

dependencies

array of objects

No

Other domains, processes, or systems supporting this supply chain element

[{"dependencyType": "Critical", "domainType": "Capability", "entityID": "CAP-SC-003"}]

relatedSupplyChainElements

array of objects

No

Other supply chain elements with relationships to this one

[{"elementID": "SC-MFG-002", "relationshipType": "upstream"}]

governanceModel

object

No

How the supply chain is governed

{"governanceStructure": "Cross-functional Supply Chain Leadership Council"}

Supplier Network Element Schema

Field

Type

Required

Description

Example

Field

Type

Required

Description

Example

networkID

string

Yes

Unique identifier for the supplier network

"SN-ELECT-001"

networkTitle

string

Yes

Name of the supplier network

"Electronics Component Supplier Network"

description

string

Yes

Detailed explanation of the supplier network

"Global network of semiconductor and electronic component suppliers"

orgUnitTitle

string

Yes

The organization unit responsible for this supplier network

"Strategic Sourcing Department"

supplyChainID

string

No

ID of the supply chain domain this network belongs to

"SC-MFG-001"

supplierCategories

array of objects

No

Types of suppliers in the network

[{"categoryName": "Semiconductor Manufacturers", "spendPercentage": 45}]

supplierTiers

array of objects

No

Hierarchical arrangement of suppliers

[{"tierLevel": "tier-1", "supplierCount": 38, "visibilityLevel": "full"}]

geographicDistribution

object

No

Geographic distribution of suppliers

{"regions": [{"regionName": "Asia-Pacific", "supplierCount": 64}]}

singleSourceComponents

array of objects

No

Items with single source of supply

[{"itemName": "Custom ASIC", "criticality": "high"}]

criticalSuppliers

array of objects

No

Strategically important suppliers

[{"supplierName": "TechSemi Inc.", "criticality": "very-high"}]

supplierSelectionCriteria

array of objects

No

Criteria for supplier selection

[{"criterionName": "Quality Certification", "weightingFactor": 25}]

supplierPerformanceMetrics

array of objects

No

Metrics for measuring supplier performance

[{"metricName": "On-time Delivery", "targetValue": "98%"}]

supplierRelationshipTypes

array of objects

No

Types of supplier relationships

[{"relationshipType": "strategic", "supplierCount": 12}]

governanceModel

object

No

How the supplier network is governed

{"governanceStructure": "Quarterly performance review council"}

riskProfile

object

No

Risk characteristics of supplier network

{"overallRiskLevel": "high", "riskCategories": [{...}]}

sustainabilityRequirements

object

No

Sustainability expectations for suppliers

{"environmentalRequirements": ["ISO 14001 certification"]}

technologyIntegration

object

No

Technology integration with suppliers

{"integrationLevel": "moderate", "integrationPlatforms": ["EDI", "Supplier Portal"]}

collaborationModel

object

No

How collaboration with suppliers is structured

{"collaborationAreas": ["New product development", "Quality improvement"]}

spendAnalysis

object

No

Analysis of supplier spending

{"totalAnnualSpend": "$312M", "spendConcentration": "Top 10 suppliers represent 62% of spend"}

contractManagement

object

No

Management of supplier contracts

{"contractTypes": ["Long-term agreements", "Spot contracts"]}

improvementInitiatives

array of objects

No

Initiatives to improve supplier network

[{"initiativeName": "Supplier Digital Enablement", "expectedBenefits": "Improved visibility and collaboration"}]

Supply Chain Process Element Schema

Field

Type

Required

Description

Example

Field

Type

Required

Description

Example

processID

string

Yes

Unique identifier for the supply chain process

"SCP-S2P-001"

processTitle

string

Yes

Name of the supply chain process

"Source-to-Pay Process"

description

string

Yes

Detailed explanation of the supply chain process

"End-to-end procurement process from supplier selection through payment"

orgUnitTitle

string

Yes

The organization unit responsible for this process

"Procurement Operations"

supplyChainID

string

No

ID of the supply chain domain this process belongs to

"SC-MFG-001"

processType

string

No

Category of process

"sourcing"

processOwner

string

No

Individual or role responsible for the process

"Director of Procurement Operations"

processScope

object

No

Boundaries of the process

{"startPoint": "Demand identification", "endPoint": "Supplier payment"}

processSteps

array of objects

No

Key activities involved in the process

[{"stepID": "S2P-01", "stepName": "Requisition Creation", "sequenceNumber": 1}]

processInputs

array of objects

No

Required inputs to the process

[{"inputName": "Approved Budget", "inputSource": "Finance Department"}]

processOutputs

array of objects

No

Resulting outputs from the process

[{"outputName": "Purchase Order", "outputDestination": "Supplier"}]

processControls

array of objects

No

Control mechanisms for the process

[{"controlName": "Approval Workflow", "controlType": "preventive"}]

processDependencies

array of objects

No

Related processes or dependencies

[{"dependencyID": "SCP-DEM-001", "dependencyType": "predecessor"}]

processMetrics

array of objects

No

Performance measures for the process

[{"metricName": "Purchase Order Cycle Time", "currentValue": "3.2 days"}]

processRisks

array of objects

No

Specific risks related to this process

[{"riskName": "Unauthorized Purchases", "likelihood": "low", "impact": "moderate"}]

processOptimizationOpportunities

array of objects

No

Opportunities to improve the process

[{"opportunityName": "Touchless Processing", "potentialBenefits": "65% reduction in manual effort"}]

technologySupport

array of objects

No

Technologies supporting this process

[{"technologyName": "Procure-to-Pay System", "effectivenessAssessment": "effective"}]

automationLevel

object

No

Level of process automation

{"overallAutomation": "partially-automated", "automationByStep": [{...}]}

standardization

object

No

Level of process standardization

{"standardizationLevel": "mostly-standardized", "complianceLevel": "high"}

trainingRequirements

array of objects

No

Training needed for this process

[{"roleTitle": "Procurement Specialist", "trainingNeeds": ["System navigation", "Negotiation skills"]}]

processMaturity

object

No

Maturity assessment of the process

{"maturityLevel": "defined", "maturityAssessmentDate": "2025-02-15"}

Logistics Network Element Schema

Field

Type

Required

Description

Example

Field

Type

Required

Description

Example

networkID

string

Yes

Unique identifier for the logistics network

"LN-GLOBAL-001"

networkTitle

string

Yes

Name of the logistics network

"Global Distribution Network"

description

string

Yes

Detailed explanation of the logistics network

"Network of distribution centers and transportation links to deliver finished products to customers worldwide"

orgUnitTitle

string

Yes

The organization unit responsible for this logistics network

"Global Logistics Operations"

supplyChainID

string

No

ID of the supply chain domain this network belongs to

"SC-MFG-001"

networkType

string

No

Category of logistics network

"distribution"

networkNodes

array of objects

No

Key facilities and locations in the network

[{"nodeID": "DC-NA-001", "nodeName": "Memphis Distribution Center", "nodeType": "distribution-center"}]

networkConnections

array of objects

No

Connections between nodes in the network

[{"connectionID": "CONN-001", "sourceNodeID": "DC-NA-001", "transportationMode": "road"}]

transportationModes

array of objects

No

Methods of transport used in the network

[{"modeName": "ocean", "utilizationPercentage": 65, "costPercentage": 42}]

networkCapacity

object

No

Throughput capabilities of the network

{"overallCapacity": "1.5M units monthly", "utilizationRate": "78%"}

serviceLevels

array of objects

No

Performance standards for the network

[{"serviceName": "Standard Delivery", "performanceMetrics": [{...}]}]

costEfficiency

object

No

Cost performance of the logistics network

{"totalLogisticsCost": "$36M annually", "costPerUnit": "$4.82"}

carbonFootprint

object

No

Environmental impact of the logistics network

{"totalCarbonEmissions": "76,000 metric tons CO2e annually"}

The Orthogramic Metamodel license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0), ensuring it remains open, collaborative, and widely accessible.