The Human-Centered Supply Chain Playbook

The ‘Designer’s Playbook’ has also been created based on the ’The Human-Centered Supply Chain’ study’s insights, which offers budding fashion creators specific instructions to help them successfully establish their brands and companies in the dynamic world of fashion.

DHL instigated the study and also contributed its global expertise in fashion logistics to the analysis in its capacity as the logistics partner of CFDA and major fashion events.

New Model Attributes

Move from Transactions to Relationships

• Enable all supply chain partners to provide expertise through a more collaborative process.
• Bring all partners into a conversation before decisionmaking.

Use Data to Make Decisions

• Use data as a tool throughout the process to ensure accuracy, efficiency and proactive decision-making.
• Data includes both qualitative and quantitative. Customer interviews, sales trends, real-time manufacturing data, social media data.

Find Alignment Tools for All Partners

• Use common ways of communicating, scheduling, tracking, and measuring progress.
• Ensure clear definition of roles and responsibilities by developing a shared model (e.g., RACI - Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed).

Build Flexibility into the DNA

• Create a more nimble model capable of refinement during the process, through a combination of integrating real-time information and partner expertise.
• Determine trade-offs based on cost, timing, sustainability, and level of quality. Be willing to iterate and refine throughout the process.

Focus Areas

We have identified four key areas of focus to anchor insights and opportunities, driven by digitalization and the increase of e-commerce, which map back to the Human-Centered Supply Chain model.

1. Process Ownership
2. Relationship Building
3. Brand Operations
4. Actionable Information