The Logistics Audit

A guide to reshaping the seven dimensions of your logistics process

The Logistics Audit has seven dimensions. Each of them applies to service providers as well as to manufacturers. They are:

  1. auditing relations with customers
  2. auditing the long-range logistics planning process
  3. auditing relationships with suppliers
  4. auditing cross-functional operations planning
  5. auditing measurement approaches
  6. auditing the approach to ongoing improvement
  7. evaluating performance on key measures

For each dimension, use this audit to see what you should expect to deliver and find 20 or more key questions - as well as documents and hard data to check your answers.

For example, on supplier relationships, the audit outlines 22 best practices and then provides a data-gathering procedure and a series of detailed questions on:

  • product sourcing
  • reducing the number of suppliers
  • building stronger relationships with suppliers
  • involving suppliers in planning.

It advises which managers to interview, what data and opinions to seek, and what to ask suppliers.

Use the audit to measure your company - or individual divisions/departments - against an objective standard, to gauge overall performance and pinpoint shortfalls.