“Professionals talk logistics and process. They talk the way an organization will move. Amateurs talk tactics.”
– Col. Garth, Command Ready Forged in 84 Program
Logistics is where the rubber meets the road, keeping a view to the big goal. The detailed coordination of a complex operation involving lots of people, supplies or facilities is Logistics. It is the organization of moving, housing and supplying troops and equipment. For our purposes, think of logistics as planning, organizing, scheduling and operations throughout your business or division. There is no detail of the operations that should be excluded from it.
Logistics Planning
The first stage of any logistical undertaking is the planning. What do you need to achieve to succeed? Once you know what you need to do, there are follow up questions. Do you need support to achieve the mission? Do you need things, like supplies, equipment or tools? A critical step in the planning stage is to figure out what resources will go into whatever you are developing. Do you need training or contract services? What are the funds needed for a successful mission? The list you make now, should be detailed and specific. It should have everything your plan needs to succeed.
Logistics planning doesn’t just ensure smooth execution of the mission; It is the link that synchronizes the productivity of your team throughout the mission or goal. Harvard Business Review estimates 67% of business strategies fail as a result of poor strategy execution. To be effective, logistics plans need to include comprehensive big picture planning as well as organizing, scheduling and operating logistics.
Organizational Logistics
The process of organizing how the team works is a critical step in logistics. An idea is just an idea unless the leader can guide the team in implementing it. It isn’t a one-time action, but a process, flowing from one task to another. Each point of that pathway, from idea to execution to achievement, is based on the leader’s tactical organization of the work. Software has made logistics organization much easier, but you can still complete this stage with old-school pen and paper. Visualize the goal, then enter or write it down. In your plan, you figured out exactly what will be needed to implement the plan. Your next action is to determine the flowchart, or steps necessary to execute the mission or plan. This is not about micromanaging the process, but is about a comprehensive guide to mission success. Don’t worry yet about timetables, which will be your next logistics stage. At this point, work out every task needed to complete the mission or goal and enter or write them.
Scheduling Logistics
The process of arranging, controlling and optimizing work and workloads in a production or manufacturing process is known as scheduling. Logistics scheduling distributes resources: plant, human and machinery. It also plans production processes and purchase materials. Using your organization plan, figure out realistic task implementation and completion. Work through the entire process to mission success, allowing for random delays such as equipment failure or employee sick days. Make your schedule of tasks from mission or goal beginning to completion.
Operating Logistics operations is technically the efficient flow and storage of products from origin to consumer. In a broader application, operating planning focuses on the right amount and quality of production and flow. Operation logistics involves services as well as production overseeing every activity or task
