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According to the CTSC Enterprise and Supply Chain Management (ESCM) manual, a thread diagram is a process view of the geographic map that illustrates the material flow, material strategy, and the planning process relationship1.A thread diagram shows the sequence of activities and decisions that are involved in transforming raw materials intofinished products and delivering them to customers1.It also shows the locations of the facilities, the transportation modes, the inventory policies, and the planning horizons1.A thread diagram helps to identify the key drivers and constraints of the supply chain performance, and to evaluate the trade-offs and synergies among different supply chain components1.

1: https://www.ascm.org/ctsc-ecm/

According to the ASCM, one of the key steps in supply chain transformation is to define the organizational roles and responsibilities for each supply chain activity, and to ensure that they are aligned with the business strategy and customer expectations1.The ASCM also suggests that the supply chain activities can be grouped into three main categories: sales, operations, and logistics2.These categories reflect the core functions of the supply chain, from planning and executing the demand and supply, to delivering the products and services to the customers2. Therefore, organizational roles and responsibilities should focus on these three areas to clarify who is responsible and accountable for each supply chain activity after the transformation initiative is complete. Some examples of the roles and responsibilities in each area are:

• Sales: Responsible for generating and managing the customer demand, forecasting the sales volume, and ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.Examples of roles are sales manager, account manager, customer service representative, and demand planner2.
• Operations: Responsible for producing and sourcing the products and services, managing the inventory and quality, and optimizing the cost and efficiency.Examples of roles are operations manager, production manager, procurement manager, and quality manager2.
• Logistics: Responsible for transporting and distributing the products and services, coordinating with the suppliers and carriers, and ensuring the delivery speed andreliability.Examples of roles are logistics manager, warehouse manager, transportation manager, and distribution manager2.

According to the CTSC Exam Content Manual1, the external boundary conditions that impact an organization’s core strategic vision include market size, customer requirements, legal and regulatory landscape, and competitive situation. These are the factors that define the external environment in which the organization operates and competes. They influence the organization’s strategic choices and capabilities.

1: https://www.ascm.org/ctsc-ecm/