Training Course

Overview

Logistics Network Design and Routing is a comprehensive professional training course designed to equip supply chain professionals, logistics managers, transportation planners, distribution leaders, procurement specialists, warehouse managers, operations professionals, consultants, and business decision-makers with the knowledge and practical capabilities required to design efficient, resilient, cost-effective, and customer-focused logistics networks. The course examines how organizations can structure distribution centers, warehouses, transportation links, inventory positions, fulfillment channels, and delivery routes to achieve the right balance between cost, speed, service quality, capacity, flexibility, and risk. Participants will develop a systematic understanding of logistics network strategy, network configuration, transportation economics, facility location, demand patterns, routing decisions, and end-to-end supply chain performance.

The course provides a structured progression from fundamental logistics network concepts to advanced network optimization and routing analytics. Participants will explore network mapping, demand segmentation, customer-service requirements, facility-location analysis, transportation-mode selection, shipment consolidation, inventory positioning, cross-docking, hub-and-spoke models, direct-store delivery, multi-echelon distribution, and last-mile delivery. Quantitative techniques such as total landed cost analysis, center-of-gravity analysis, transportation cost modeling, capacity analysis, scenario planning, sensitivity analysis, and optimization principles will be applied to realistic logistics decisions. Participants will also examine relevant industry frameworks and standards, including Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) concepts, Incoterms® rules where applicable to international transportation responsibilities, ISO 31000 risk-management principles, ISO 9001 quality-management concepts, and recognized logistics and transportation best practices.

Practical learning is central to the program. Participants will use logistics network maps, customer and demand datasets, transportation-cost tables, facility-capacity profiles, route constraints, service-level requirements, inventory data, and risk scenarios to evaluate and redesign logistics systems. Practical tools include network-design scorecards, facility-location matrices, transportation-mode selection frameworks, route-planning worksheets, lane-cost analysis, shipment-consolidation models, delivery-density analysis, carrier-performance dashboards, logistics risk registers, scenario-planning templates, geographic mapping concepts, route optimization logic, and key performance indicator dashboards. Exercises and case studies cover distribution-center consolidation, new-market expansion, transportation bottlenecks, fuel-cost volatility, delivery failures, capacity shortages, cross-border logistics, e-commerce fulfillment, urban last-mile delivery, and disruption recovery.

By progressing from foundational logistics strategy to advanced optimization, simulation, resilience, and continuous improvement, the course enables participants to make data-driven network and routing decisions. Participants will learn how to evaluate alternative network configurations, determine appropriate facility locations, balance transportation and inventory trade-offs, optimize routes, assess service-level impacts, manage logistics constraints, and communicate investment recommendations to senior management. Advanced sessions address scenario modeling, network resilience, sustainability, digital logistics, transportation visibility, dynamic routing, artificial intelligence and analytics applications, and integrated network performance management. The course concludes with a comprehensive Logistics Network Design and Routing Framework and a capstone project requiring participants to design, evaluate, optimize, and defend a logistics network strategy supported by a practical 30-, 60-, and 90-day implementation roadmap.

Course Duration

10 Days (80 Hours)

Target Participants

This course is suitable for:

• Supply Chain Directors and Managers

• Logistics Directors and Managers

• Transportation Managers and Planners

• Distribution Managers

• Warehouse Managers

• Fleet Managers

• Supply Chain Planning Professionals

• Demand and Supply Planning Professionals

• Procurement and Sourcing Professionals

• Operations Managers

• Manufacturing and Production Managers

• Distribution Center Managers

• Inventory Managers

• Freight and Transportation Coordinators

• Route Planning and Dispatch Professionals

• E-Commerce and Fulfillment Professionals

• Last-Mile Delivery Managers

• Import and Export Professionals

• Logistics Analysts and Business Analysts

• Supply Chain Consultants

• Operations Research and Optimization Professionals

• Business Process Improvement Professionals

• Risk Management Professionals

• Supply Chain Technology and Digital Transformation Teams

• Sustainability and Supply Chain Resilience Professionals

• Senior Executives Responsible for Supply Chain Strategy

Course Objectives

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

• Explain the strategic role of logistics network design within end-to-end supply chain management.

• Understand the relationship between facilities, transportation, inventory, customer service, and total logistics cost.

• Identify the principal components of a logistics network.

• Map current-state logistics networks and material flows.

• Analyze customer demand, geographic distribution, order profiles, and service requirements.

• Segment customers and markets for network-design purposes.

• Define logistics service-level requirements and network performance objectives.

• Evaluate centralized, decentralized, hub-and-spoke, direct-delivery, and hybrid network models.

• Understand facility-location decision criteria.

• Apply center-of-gravity and location-screening techniques.

• Evaluate warehouse, distribution-center, cross-dock, and fulfillment-center alternatives.

• Analyze transportation-mode selection decisions.

• Compare road, rail, air, sea, intermodal, and multimodal transportation options.

• Calculate and compare transportation and distribution costs.

• Understand total cost-to-serve and total landed cost concepts.

• Analyze shipment consolidation and load-utilization opportunities.

• Evaluate transportation lanes and carrier networks.

• Understand route-planning principles and routing constraints.

• Apply practical route optimization methodologies.

• Understand vehicle capacity, delivery windows, driver constraints, and route feasibility.

• Evaluate route performance using distance, time, cost, utilization, and service measures.

• Analyze last-mile delivery challenges and optimization opportunities.

• Understand multi-echelon distribution and inventory-positioning principles.

• Evaluate the trade-offs between transportation cost, inventory cost, facility cost, and customer service.

• Apply scenario analysis and sensitivity analysis to network-design decisions.

• Develop logistics network risk registers and resilience strategies.

• Identify vulnerabilities caused by single facilities, suppliers, carriers, routes, ports, or geographic concentrations.

• Understand contingency routing and alternative transportation options.

• Integrate sustainability considerations into logistics network design.

• Evaluate emissions, empty miles, fuel consumption, packaging, and modal-shift opportunities.

• Understand logistics technology, transportation management systems, route optimization systems, and geographic information systems.

• Apply logistics analytics and dashboard principles.

• Develop relevant logistics network and routing key performance indicators.

• Evaluate carrier and transportation-service performance.

• Analyze capacity constraints and peak-season requirements.

• Plan network responses to demand growth, market expansion, and changing customer expectations.

• Evaluate logistics network redesign and distribution-center consolidation proposals.

• Understand cross-border logistics and international transportation considerations.

• Apply relevant Incoterms® concepts when assessing international transportation responsibilities and cost implications.

• Integrate logistics risk management principles into network planning.

• Apply continuous-improvement methods to logistics network performance.

• Develop business cases for logistics network investments and redesign projects.

• Communicate network-design recommendations to executives and stakeholders.

• Build and evaluate alternative logistics network scenarios.

• Develop a comprehensive logistics network design and routing strategy.

• Create a practical 30-, 60-, and 90-day logistics network implementation roadmap.

Course Content

Day 1: Foundations of Logistics Network Design and Routing

Module 1: Logistics Network Design and Routing

Topics

1. Introduction to Logistics Networks and Transportation Systems
2. Strategic Role of Logistics Network Design in Supply Chain Management
3. Components of a Logistics Network: Suppliers, Facilities, Inventory, Transportation, and Customers
4. Logistics Cost Structures and Total Cost-to-Serve
5. Customer Service Requirements and Logistics Network Objectives
6. Mapping Current-State Logistics Networks and Material Flows
7. Demand Patterns, Geographic Distribution, and Order Characteristics
8. Centralized, Decentralized, Hub-and-Spoke, Direct, and Hybrid Network Models
9. Practical Exercise: Mapping and Diagnosing a Current-State Logistics Network
10. Case Study: Evaluating the Logistics Network of a Fast-Growing Distribution Business

Day 2: Demand Analysis, Network Strategy, and Facility Location

Module 1: Logistics Network Design and Routing

Topics

1. Demand Forecasting Inputs for Logistics Network Design
2. Customer and Market Segmentation for Distribution Decisions
3. Geographic Demand Analysis and Service-Coverage Mapping
4. Defining Delivery Lead Times and Service-Level Requirements
5. Facility-Location Decision Criteria and Strategic Trade-Offs
6. Center-of-Gravity Analysis and Location Screening
7. Warehouse, Distribution Center, Fulfillment Center, and Cross-Dock Location Decisions
8. Facility Capacity, Scalability, Labor, Infrastructure, and Accessibility Analysis
9. Practical Exercise: Selecting the Optimal Location for a New Distribution Center
10. Case Study: Designing a Distribution Footprint for Expansion Into New Markets

Day 3: Transportation Economics and Mode Selection

Module 1: Logistics Network Design and Routing

Topics

1. Transportation Cost Drivers and Rate Structures
2. Road, Rail, Air, Ocean, Intermodal, and Multimodal Transportation
3. Transportation-Mode Selection Based on Cost, Speed, Capacity, and Service
4. Freight Lane Analysis and Transportation Spend Mapping
5. Shipment Consolidation and Load-Utilization Strategies
6. Full-Truckload, Less-Than-Truckload, Parcel, and Specialized Freight Decisions
7. Carrier Selection, Transportation Procurement, and Service-Level Agreements
8. Total Landed Cost and International Transportation Considerations
9. Practical Exercise: Comparing Transportation Modes and Developing a Cost-to-Serve Model
10. Case Study: Redesigning Transportation Modes to Reduce Cost Without Sacrificing Service

Day 4: Route Planning and Optimization Fundamentals

Module 1: Logistics Network Design and Routing

Topics

1. Principles of Logistics Route Planning
2. Origin-Destination Analysis and Transportation Lane Design
3. Route Constraints: Capacity, Distance, Time, Delivery Windows, and Vehicle Availability
4. Vehicle Routing Problem Concepts and Practical Routing Logic
5. Delivery Sequencing and Route Construction
6. Route Density, Stop Productivity, and Vehicle Utilization
7. Driver, Fleet, Regulatory, and Operational Constraints
8. Route Cost, Time, Distance, and Service-Level Analysis
9. Practical Exercise: Building and Comparing Alternative Delivery Routes
10. Case Study: Optimizing Routes for a Regional Distribution Fleet With Capacity and Time Constraints

Day 5: Advanced Routing, Last-Mile Delivery, and Urban Logistics

Module 1: Logistics Network Design and Routing

Topics

1. Advanced Vehicle Routing and Route Optimization Concepts
2. Last-Mile Delivery Economics and Customer Experience
3. Delivery Density, Stop Sequencing, and Route Productivity
4. Same-Day, Next-Day, Scheduled, and On-Demand Delivery Models
5. Urban Logistics, Traffic Constraints, Delivery Windows, and Access Restrictions
6. E-Commerce Fulfillment and Omnichannel Distribution Networks
7. Returns Logistics and Reverse-Logistics Network Design
8. Dynamic Routing, Real-Time Visibility, and Route Re-Optimization
9. Practical Exercise: Designing an Optimized Last-Mile Delivery Model
10. Case Study: Redesigning an E-Commerce Last-Mile Network Under Increasing Delivery Volumes

Day 6: Multi-Echelon Networks, Inventory Positioning, and Service Optimization

Module 1: Logistics Network Design and Routing

Topics

1. Multi-Echelon Logistics Network Structures
2. Inventory Positioning Across Warehouses and Distribution Centers
3. Transportation-Inventory Trade-Offs
4. Safety Stock and Service-Level Considerations in Network Design
5. Cross-Docking and Flow-Through Distribution Strategies
6. Direct Shipment Versus Regional Distribution Models
7. Order Fulfillment Strategies and Customer-Service Trade-Offs
8. Network Capacity Planning and Peak-Demand Management
9. Practical Exercise: Evaluating Alternative Inventory and Distribution Configurations
10. Case Study: Optimizing a Multi-Echelon Network to Improve Service While Controlling Inventory Costs

Day 7: Network Risk, Resilience, and Disruption Management

Module 1: Logistics Network Design and Routing

Topics

1. Logistics Network Risk Identification and Assessment
2. Single-Point-of-Failure Analysis
3. Facility, Carrier, Route, Port, Border, and Infrastructure Risks
4. Business Continuity and Logistics Contingency Planning
5. Alternative Routes, Backup Facilities, and Multi-Carrier Strategies
6. Scenario Planning for Disruptions, Capacity Shortages, and Demand Surges
7. Logistics Risk Registers and Risk-Mitigation Controls
8. Network Resilience Metrics and Stress Testing
9. Practical Exercise: Conducting a Logistics Network Resilience Assessment
10. Case Study: Redesigning a Vulnerable Logistics Network Following a Major Transportation Disruption

Day 8: Digital Logistics, Analytics, Sustainability, and Network Optimization

Module 1: Logistics Network Design and Routing

Topics

1. Transportation Management Systems and Digital Logistics Platforms
2. Geographic Information Systems and Network Visualization
3. Route Optimization Software and Decision-Support Tools
4. Logistics Data Management and Data Quality
5. Logistics Dashboards and Key Performance Indicators
6. Predictive Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Advanced Routing Applications
7. Real-Time Transportation Visibility and Exception Management
8. Sustainable Logistics Network Design and Carbon-Reduction Opportunities
9. Practical Exercise: Building a Logistics Network Performance Dashboard and Optimization Scenario
10. Case Study: Using Digital Analytics to Improve Transportation Efficiency and Network Resilience

Day 9: Network Redesign, Scenario Modeling, and Business Case Development

Module 1: Logistics Network Design and Routing

Topics

1. Logistics Network Optimization Methodologies
2. Scenario Modeling and What-If Analysis
3. Sensitivity Analysis for Demand, Cost, Capacity, and Service Changes
4. Distribution-Center Consolidation and Network Rationalization
5. New Facility Versus Outsourcing and Third-Party Logistics Decisions
6. Evaluating Network Expansion, Restructuring, and Market-Entry Scenarios
7. Financial Evaluation of Logistics Network Investments
8. Developing Executive Business Cases and Stakeholder Recommendations
9. Practical Exercise: Comparing Multiple Future-State Logistics Network Scenarios
10. Case Study: Developing an Executive Business Case for a Major Logistics Network Redesign

Day 10: Integrated Logistics Network Design and Routing Strategy

Module 1: Logistics Network Design and Routing

Topics

1. Designing an Integrated Logistics Network Design and Routing Framework
2. Connecting Demand, Facilities, Inventory, Transportation, Routing, Cost, and Service Decisions
3. Integrating Network Risk, Resilience, Sustainability, and Customer Experience
4. Establishing Logistics Network Governance, Decision Rights, and Performance Ownership
5. Developing Network Design and Routing Key Performance Indicators
6. Building Continuous-Improvement and Network Optimization Programs
7. Developing Transportation, Facility, and Route Optimization Implementation Plans
8. Executive Communication, Stakeholder Alignment, and Change Management
9. Capstone Exercise: Designing, Optimizing, and Presenting an End-to-End Logistics Network and Routing Strategy
10. Final Assessment, Capstone Presentation, Peer Feedback, 30-, 60-, and 90-Day Implementation Roadmap, and Course Review