Adversarial

Certified Inventory Optimization Professional (CIOP) is an end-to-end supply chain certification program. The certification consists of 30 modules focusing both on traditional and futuristic topics. The traditional topics are introduction to supply chain management, all about inventory, strategic business planning, forecasting, demand management, capacity management, sales and operations planning (S&OP), master scheduling (MPS), materials requirements planning (MRP) and production activity control (PAC). It also includes topics on procurement, warehousing, transportation, distribution, and packaging. The topic on the future trends such as Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Machine Learning (M/L) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). There is a significant focus on supporting technologies such as forecasting and process mapping tools such as Microsoft Visio. In addition to the above indicated topics the participants need to master over 3000 terminologies in supply chain management.

In traditional industries like manufacturing, supply chain, warehousing and distribution, adversarial relationships characterize key relationships between producers and suppliers. Traditionally, buyer-supplier relationships have been seen as antagonistic, usually arm in arm trades where each side exerts tremendous pressure on each other to yield to their own needs. 

However, in recent years the traditional approach to managing this transactional relationship has changed and went towards a more cooperative, collaborative approach because of the fact that today many suppliers are major sources for competitive advantage to survive in international markets both in terms of their experience, knowledge and skills. But if these major suppliers do not come to an agreement, then production and distribution can suffer. This led to a rise in the utilization of various tools for improving supplier-sourced manufacturing and warehousing.

The Adversarial Modeling is a tool that helps managers understand the existing relationship structures and how they may be modified for increasing the overall efficiency of the organization. It is a process that involves gathering empirical evidence to support or refute a proposed assumption, modeling a new assumption with known or new data, and evaluating the model to verify its strength and weaknesses. Adversarial models should be a primary component of the Supply Chain Management Software (SCM) strategy because they increase productivity, shorten cycle times, add value to the supply chains and prevent interruptions in the production. For example, if a manufacturer utilizes a common method of accounting, but an unusual method of manufacturing, then using the known method would not add value because the additional method requires additional people and equipment to make it feasible.

To effectively manage an inventory, a manufacturer should consider the total cost of all raw materials, parts and labor needed to manufacture a product. In addition, a company should also consider the lead time needed for each process and adjust the number of units to be produced based on the lead time. Adversarial modeling is important because it allows a manufacturer to improve its ability to add value by reducing the costs associated with unneeded inventory. It also allows a company to identify potential sources of cost reductions so that a company can utilize those savings to drive down the total cost of production.

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