Supply Chain Management Skills Project - Envisage

Envisage was the culmination of four ESF supported projects run by MMUBS between 1999 and 2002. The first project analysed the management development needs of owner managers in (SMEs) Small and Medium sized Enterprises, operating within manufacturing supply chains and focused on mapping the management skills and techniques needed. The second project focused on establishing future management development needs, as perceived by the SMEs themselves and the originators of the supply chains in which they operated. The research was also extended to include the current and future skill needs of craft and technical workers.

The third project was supported by the NorthWest Development agency as well as ESF and its main objective was to design an innovative audit tool to assist companies in identifying the management, staff, organisational development and skill needs arising through fundamental changes taking place within supply chains. The tool 'Envisage' was piloted in thirty-nine SMEs, and was received positively by the sector. This resulted in the application for further funds from ESF by MMU, in partnership with NWDA, to further develop and refine the tool ‘Envisage’ through the final project.

Envisage was designed to assist small companies that operate within the supply chains of larger companies in the manufacturing sector. The competences that the tool benchmarks makes explicit the activities conducted within the organisation that support a proactive supply chain culture and include Customer Service, Continuous Improvement, Innovation, Communication, Performance Management, Quality Management, Flexibility and Benchmarking.

Envisage is still available to be used by SMEs via the Centre for Enterprise, and is currently being adapted to provide a version for service based SMEs.

Envisage was the culmination of four ESF supported projects run by MMUBS between 1999 and 2002. The first project analysed the management development needs of owner managers in (SMEs) Small and Medium sized Enterprises, operating within manufacturing supply chains and focused on mapping the management skills and techniques needed. The second project focused on establishing future management development needs, as perceived by the SMEs themselves and the originators of the supply chains in which they operated. The research was also extended to include the current and future skill needs of craft and technical workers.

The third project was supported by the NorthWest Development agency as well as ESF and its main objective was to design an innovative audit tool to assist companies in identifying the management, staff, organisational development and skill needs arising through fundamental changes taking place within supply chains. The tool 'Envisage' was piloted in thirty-nine SMEs, and was received positively by the sector. This resulted in the application for further funds from ESF by MMU, in partnership with NWDA, to further develop and refine the tool ‘Envisage’ through the final project.

Envisage was designed to assist small companies that operate within the supply chains of larger companies in the manufacturing sector. The competences that the tool benchmarks makes explicit the activities conducted within the organisation that support a proactive supply chain culture and include Customer Service, Continuous Improvement, Innovation, Communication, Performance Management, Quality Management, Flexibility and Benchmarking.

Envisage is still available to be used by SMEs via the Centre for Enterprise, and is currently being adapted to provide a version for service based SMEs.