WM9F5-15 Supply Chain Management Assignment Brief 2025/26 | University of Warwick

WM9F5-15 Assignment brief

Select a publicly listed global company that produces industrial automation and robotics machinery. You do not need to provide an overall introduction and conclusion.

Question 1: Strategic Analysis of the Selected Company (1000 words)

Critically analyse how the selected company’s strategies and approaches align with the competitive environment of the aerospace sector. This includes how they address challenges and leverage opportunities. Support your analysis with relevant academic theories and models, such as Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain Analysis, or the SCOR Model.

Question 2: Analysis of a Supply Chain Issue (1000 words)

Identify an issue or challenge related to supply chain management faced by the company in 2023 or 2024, sourced from industry reports, news articles, or academic publications. Apply relevant analysis tools and frameworks and synthesize information to propose feasible recommendations for addressing the identified issue or challenge.

Question 3: Recent Developments and Technological Advancements (1000 words)

Investigate recent technological advancements that are impacting or have the potential to impact aerospace supply chains, such as advancements in robotics, AI, blockchain, or sustainable materials. Analyse how these technologies could reshape the supply chain of the selected company. Discuss potential future challenges and opportunities these technologies might create for the company.

WM9F5-15 General Guidelines:

• Provide detailed analysis and critical thinking. Being descriptive will not earn high grades.
• Utilize visual aids to spare more word count for discussion and critical evaluation.
• Each section must contain recent (2023-2024) references to academic or professional materials.
• Ensure that each part of the assignment is distinct and contributes uniquely to the overall understanding of aerospace supply chain management.
• Use Harvard style referencing to accurately cite all sources.

Word count

3000 +/- 10% 

Word count for the main body of the text (including headings, citations, quotes, lists, etc). Any title page, table of contents, table of tables, table of figures, content within figures/tables, list of references and any appendices are excluded. See below the penalties for excess and deficit length according to WMG assessment tariff. 

WM9F5-15 Module learning outcomes (numbered)

1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles, theories, tools and techniques of supply chain management.    
2. Critically evaluate supply chain strategies and approaches to assess their alignment with the competitive environment.    
3. Assess real-world supply chains and supply chain related issues by applying models, frameworks, tools and techniques to synthesise gathered information and explore appropriate recommendations.
4. Discuss the recent developments and technological advancements and their impact on supply chains at global level.

WM9F5-15 Marking guidelines

80+ Outstanding  70-79 Distinction 60-69 Good Pass 50-59 Pass 40-49  Marginal Fail <40 Fail An exemplary answer, showing complete mastery of the learning outcome, with an exceptionally developed and mature ability to analyse, synthesise and apply concepts, models, and techniques. All requirements of the learning outcome are exceeded, and the answer is free from errors.  The answer demonstrates originality of thought, with strong critical reflection and the ability to tackle issues not previously encountered.  Ideas are explained with great lucidity and in an extremely structured manner. An excellent answer, showing mastery of the learning outcome, with a highly developed and mature ability to analyse, synthesise and apply concepts, models, and techniques.  All requirements of the learning outcome are covered, and work is free from all but very minor errors.  There is good critical reflection and the ability to tackle issues not previously encountered.  Ideas are explained very clearly and in a highly structured manner. A strong answer, showing a sound grasp of the learning outcome and a skilful attempt at analysis, synthesis and application of concepts, models, and techniques.  All requirements of the learning outcome are covered, but there may be some minor errors.  There is some critical reflection, and a reasonable attempt is made to tackle issues not previously encountered.  Ideas are explained clearly and in a well organised manner, with some minor exceptions. A satisfactory answer, showing a grasp of the learning outcome but analysis, synthesis and application of concepts, models and techniques is mechanical, with a heavy reliance on course materials.  The requirements of the learning outcome are covered but with little or no critical reflection and limited ability to tackle issues not previously encountered.  Ideas are explained adequately but with some confusion and lack of organisation. An unsatisfactory answer. The learning outcome is not met, but it would not take too much to meet it.  There is a weak attempt at analysis, synthesis and application of concepts, models, and techniques.  Only some of the requirements of the learning outcome are covered.  Inability to reflect critically and difficulty in beginning to address issues not previously encountered.  Ideas are poorly explained and organised. An inadequate answer and there are extremely serious gaps in knowledge and many areas of confusion.  Few or none of the requirements of the learning outcome are covered.  There is a lack of serious engagement with the learning outcome and there is no evidence that issues not previously encountered can be addressed.  The levels of expression and organisation in the work are very inadequate.