How many times have you seen managers come charging in to help solve a supply chain problem and then proceed to employ an overly complex, inappropriate solution? To avoid that sort of outcome, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has developed the Supply Chain Leadership Certificate Program, which is designed to turn attendees into effective problem solvers who can develop practical and actionable plans of attack.

The program consists of three courses: "Supply Chain Leadership," "Supply Chain Collaboration," and "Supply Chain Optimization." "Supply Chain Leadership" is designed to help supply chain managers diagnose the root causes of poor supply chain performance; integrate supply chain strategy, planning, and execution; and identify problems in the organizational structure and performance metrics. In "Supply Chain Collaboration," participants learn about tools and methods necessary to define, develop, and manage planning processes. "Supply Chain Optimization" will provide participants with a framework for identifying and then prioritizing which operational opportunities offer the greatest potential for performance improvement.

The first class, "Supply Chain Leadership," takes place Oct. 10-12 and Dec. 12-14. After completing the first course, participants are free to take the other two classes in any order they wish. "Supply Chain Collaboration" will be held Sept. 27-28 and Nov. 29-30. "Supply Chain Optimization" takes place Nov. 12-13 and Jan. 14-15, 2008. All courses are held on the University of Wisconsin-Madison's campus. For more information on the classes, visit exed.wisc.edu/supplychain.