Barry Keys

This book deals with the design of a supply chain supporting a Research and Development (R&D) product that will be taken to a large-scale commercialization phase. Because supply chains themselves in recent years have become a source of sustainable competitive advantage, they are a topic of great interest to business professionals. While the literature on supply-chain management is extensive, the same cannot be said for supply-chain design in general and R&D supply chains in particular. This book is based on our experience designing an R&D supply chain for a Fortune Global 10 energy company. R&D supply chains are oftentimes developed without the process discipline and rigor that typically characterize the development of other products emerging from R&D programs. As such, this text serves to bridge the gap for everyday practitioners involved in R&D efforts in addition to anyone looking to improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency of their supply chain.