Supply Chain Planning (Coursera)

Supply Chain Planning (Coursera)

Supply chain planning is an important activity in any supply chain. This is where organizations get an idea of the upcoming demand, realize if they have the capacity to meet the demand, and determine how to realize these demands. In this course, we will explore how to use data science to conduct demand and supply planning, how to constrain the forecast, and how to measure the results. As we walk through this process, we will also explore how to use Excel to quantify each step.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Course 1 of 3 in the Leverage Data Science for a More Agile Supply Chain Specialization.

What You Will Learn

  • Describe how demand planning, supply planning, and constrained forecast are associated with one another.
  • Use Excel to analyze historical data to quantify future needs.
  • Measure and quantify results for improvement.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Demand Planning
Welcome to Module 1, Demand Planning. In this module, we will explore demand planning, how to identify influencing factors, how to differentiate between the three simple statistical forecast types, and how to compute a few forecast values.

WEEK 2
Supply Planning
Welcome to Module 2, Supply Planning. In this module, we will discuss the basics of supply planning, how to confirm internal & external capacity, how to confirm material availability, and the importance of communication and data sharing to supply planning.

WEEK 3
Constrained Forecast
Welcome to Module 3, Constrained Forecast. In this module, we will discuss constrained forecasts and consensus meetings. Specifically, we will cover the purpose and creation of constrained forecasts and how consensus meetings are utilized to reach organizational goals.

WEEK 4
Measure Results
Welcome to Module 4, Measure Results. In this module, we will discuss measuring results through collecting actual performance results and calculating forecast errors. Specifically, we will discuss the purpose of measuring results, the types of metrics used when measuring results, and common error measurements and their advantages and disadvantages.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Sustainable Business: Big Issues, Big Changes (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

Sustainable Business: Big Issues, Big Changes (Coursera)

This is class 3 in the MOOC specialization, Become a Sustainable Business Change Agent. This class looks at the big issues companies are fixing - climate change, water, worker satisfaction and supply chain issues. You will learn tools to help your company address these issues intelligently. The class ends with an assignment to set a science-based carbon reduction target for a small company. Tis is absolutely cutting edge material. Only about 300 companies in the whole world are doing this as of July 2017. You could put your company in the elite group!

Oct 19th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Navigating Healthcare Supply Chain Operations (Coursera) Coursera
Northeastern University

Navigating Healthcare Supply Chain Operations (Coursera)

This course is the continuation of "Introduction to Healthcare Supply Chain Operations". If you have not visited the first part yet, please check it out before starting this course. If you have finished the first part of this series: Introduction to Healthcare Supply Chain Operations, you will be able to apply what you learned to your own career. The foundational knowledge and project plan from the introduction are carried through in this deeper dive into healthcare supply chain operations.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks
Gestão da Cadeia de Suprimentos (Coursera) Coursera
FIA Business School

Gestão da Cadeia de Suprimentos (Coursera)

Nossas boas-vindas ao Curso Gestão da Cadeia de Suprimentos. Neste curso, você aprenderá sobre os principais conceitos necessários para entender o que é a cadeia de suprimentos, como ela pode gerar maior valor para a empresa, quais são as novas tecnologias que permitem uma maior eficácia na sua gestão e como podemos personalizar a oferta para os segmentos de cliente da empresa.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Supply Chain of Agriculture (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Supply Chain of Agriculture (Coursera)

Learners will be introduced to the production and distribution of agricultural commodities and food products. Topics will cover the full range of the agriculture supply chain, from pre-farm to the consumer, to provide students with a better understanding and appreciation for where and how crops and livestock are produced, and the systems used to distribute products to consumers.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
International Business Operations (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

International Business Operations (Coursera)

This course provides learners with a solid foundation in international supply, logistics, and foreign currency exchange. Foreign exchange is included in this course since it plays such an important role in planning and executing international operations. The first half of the course reviews critical roles that supply chain management, sourcing, logistics, and transportation play in contemporary global business. In the second half, the focus shifts to foreign currency exchange risks and methods for mitigating those risks, both financial and non-financial.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Demand Analytics (Coursera) Coursera
Rutgers University

Demand Analytics (Coursera)

Welcome to Demand Analytics - one of the most sought-after skills in supply chain management and marketing! Through the real-life story and data of a leading cookware manufacturer in North America, you will learn the data analytics skills for demand planning and forecasting.

Oct 19th 2026
4 Weeks
Supply Chain Analytics Essentials (Coursera) Coursera
Rutgers University

Supply Chain Analytics Essentials (Coursera)

In this introductory course to Supply Chain Analytics, I will take you on a journey to this fascinating area where supply chain management meets data analytics. You will learn real life examples on how analytics can be applied to various domains of a supply chain, from selling, to logistics, production and sourcing, to generate a significant social / economic impact.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks
Supply Chain Optimization (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Supply Chain Optimization (Coursera)

Optimization is an important piece of an agile supply chain. In this course, we will explore the components of optimization and how to set up an optimization problem in Excel. We will also practice capacity and resource optimization and explore examples of both in the supply chain. Building off of our optimization practice, we will next learn how to use a Monte Carlo simulation to make the least risky decision in uncertain supply chain situations.

Oct 19th 2026
4 Weeks
Supply Chain Finance Market and Fintech Ecosystem (Coursera) Coursera
New York Institute of Finance

Supply Chain Finance Market and Fintech Ecosystem (Coursera)

This course provides an in-depth understanding of the Supply Chain Finance market including insights on the potential and current market size, market penetration, growth, and distribution. You’ll be introduced to the four distinctive groups serving the Supply Chain Finance market and learn about the main stakeholders and market participants in a Supply Chain Finance program.

Oct 26th 2026
2 Weeks
Managing Supply Chain Disruption During COVID-19 (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Managing Supply Chain Disruption During COVID-19 (Coursera)

In this course, you will learn about why and how supply chains become susceptible to a disruption. We will examine this by discussing supply side and demand side issues, primary supply chain flows, complexity, risk management and a combination of solid theoretical supply chain perspectives and current real-world stories. You will learn about the structural, relational and operational factors that come into play during a supply chain disruption and the mechanisms for the effective management of these factors.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks