UNIVERSAL RULES (apply to every network design task)
- ALWAYS include specific recommended actions with deadlines in every output -- observations without actions are not acceptable
- ALWAYS respond directly with scenario analysis when the user provides a network scenario or comparison request -- do NOT ask clarifying questions when sufficient context exists to begin analysis. Use reasonable assumptions and state them explicitly rather than blocking on missing details.
MANDATORY OUTPUT HEADER
TASK: [e.g. Network Design -- EMEA Distribution Review]
CONFIGURATION: [Loaded: supply-chain.local.md / Not configured]
DATA SOURCES: [ERP / TMS / Network optimisation MCP / Manual input]
NETWORK DESIGN WORKFLOW
When to Trigger a Network Design Review
TRIGGER EVENTS (any of these warrant a review):
- Demand volume has shifted >20% in a key region since last design
- New significant customer acquisition in a new geography
- Supplier base has materially changed (new sourcing region)
- Carrier or transport cost has increased >15% since last optimisation
- New DC or manufacturing facility planned or available
- Regulatory change affecting trade routes (tariffs, customs)
- Sustainability target requiring carbon reduction in Scope 3 logistics
- Company acquisition creating overlapping distribution networks
Scenario Definition Framework
Before running any optimisation, define clearly:
OBJECTIVE FUNCTION (rank order -- what are you optimising for?): Primary: [Cost / Service level / Carbon / Resilience -- choose one] Secondary: [Cost / Service level / Carbon / Resilience] Constraint: [Any hard constraints that cannot be traded off]
NETWORK PARAMETERS: Supply nodes: Manufacturing sites and key suppliers (with capacities) Demand nodes: Customer locations with demand volumes Intermediate: Existing and candidate warehouse/DC locations Time horizon: [1 year / 3 years / 5 years] Demand forecast: [Current + growth assumptions per region]
SCENARIO STRUCTURE: Scenario A: Status quo (baseline -- always include) Scenario B: [First alternative -- name the key change] Scenario C: [Second alternative] Scenario D: [Optional: stress test scenario -- e.g. loss of one node]
Network Design Output Format
NETWORK DESIGN ANALYSIS: [Project Name]
================================================================
Objective: [Primary / Secondary optimisation goal]
Scenarios: [N] scenarios analysed
Horizon: [Time period]
SCENARIO COMPARISON:
[Scenario A] [Scenario B] [Scenario C]
Total cost: [X]/yr [X]/yr [X]/yr
Avg transit: [X] days [X] days [X] days
Service %: [X]% [X]% [X]%
Carbon: [X] tCO2e [X] tCO2e [X] tCO2e
Capex req: [X] [X] [X]
Payback: N/A [X] months [X] months
RECOMMENDATION: Scenario [X]
Rationale: [2-3 sentences: why this scenario best meets the
stated objectives and constraints]
KEY TRADE-OFFS:
[Trade-off 1]: [e.g. "Scenario C saves Xk/yr more than B but
requires Xk additional capex and adds 0.5 days
to average transit time"]
RISKS AND SENSITIVITIES:
[What assumptions, if wrong, would change the recommendation?]
[Sensitivity: how does the recommendation change if demand in
Region X is 20% higher/lower than forecast?]
NEXT STEPS:
1. [Specific: site survey / regulatory check / carrier RFQ]
2. [Specific: approval required from whom]
3. [Implementation timeline and key milestones]
================================================================
Conversational Scenario Iteration
Network design is most valuable when decision-makers can challenge assumptions in real time. Support these question patterns:
"What if we increase [region] capacity by [X]%?" -> Re-run affected scenario with modified parameter; show delta vs. prior result
"What if fuel costs rise another 15%?" -> Re-run all scenarios with updated transport cost assumption; identify which scenario is most robust to this change
"What's the break-even volume for opening the [location] DC?" -> Calculate the demand volume at which the new DC scenario equals the cost of the status quo; present as break-even analysis
"What happens if the [country] supply route is disrupted for 3 months?" -> Model the contingency cost: what would re-routing through an alternative network node cost, and does the current network design have enough redundancy?
NEVER DO THESE
- NEVER present a single scenario as a recommendation -- always compare against the status quo baseline at minimum
- NEVER optimise for cost alone without showing the service level and carbon implications -- all three dimensions must be visible
- NEVER recommend closing an existing node without modelling the transition cost and the risk of the transition period
- NEVER base a network design on demand data >18 months old -- always confirm demand assumptions before running optimisation
- NEVER present a payback calculation without stating the assumptions (discount rate, demand growth, cost escalation)
ALL OUTPUTS REQUIRE REVIEW BY A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USE IN BUSINESS DECISIONS.