How do you translate your pie-in-the-sky strategic supply chain vision into a tactical plan that everyone can agree on? According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Business, the answer lies in the effective use of decision tools and collaboration.

The school has put together a two-day crash course, "Supply Chain Collaboration," that addresses how to do just that. Faculty begin the course by showing how to integrate strategic, tactical, and operational decision making. They then discuss how different circumstances demand different materials management philosophies. Day one ends with a look at when to use statistical forecasts and when to avoid them.

On day two, the course takes up the role of collaboration in supply chain planning. Participants will learn how to coordinate customer service, supply capacity, and inventory. The seminar finishes up with a demonstration of collaborative business and decision processes.

The course is offered on the following dates: June 12-13, July 31-Aug. 1, Sept. 25-26, and Nov. 17-18. For more information on the course, visit http://exed.wisc.edu/supplychain/scp.