logistics
Complex operation management
Logistics is the coordination of complex operations involving people, facilities, and supplies.
Military logistics moves troops and equipment where needed.
Business logistics manages supply chains—sourcing materials, warehousing, shipping products to customers.
The word often appears when someone wants to emphasize practical complications: We're still working out the logistics of the move.
Officer managing military supplies
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- convoyGuarded traveling group
- reinforcementsAdditional troops sent in
- ammunitionWeapon projectiles and charges
campaign · operations · maneuver · airlift · materiel · provisions · staging · mobilization
Goods being transported
- cargoTransported goods
- shipmentGoods being transported
- haulageCommercial goods transport
- truckingRoad-based freight shipping
carriers · couriers · delivery · transit · conveyance · routing · fleet · last-mile
Space for keeping goods
- inventoryCatalog of held assets
- palletsFlat freight platforms
- rackingInflicting severe strain
- forkliftPowered pallet-hoisting vehicle
shelving · receiving · shipping · dock · pick-and-pack · SKU · barcode · scanning
Maximizing efficiency or performance
- leanLacking fat; incline
- kaizenPhilosophy of incremental progress
- throughputProcessing rate over time
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
automation · just-in-time · bottleneck · productivity · scalability
Estimating future conditions
- schedulingAssigning times to events
- budgetingAllocating funds systematically
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- timelineOrdered display of events
roadmap · milestones · ERP
Obtaining goods externally
- vendorsThose who sell goods
- suppliersThose who furnish goods
- sourcingObtaining from suppliers
- materialsRaw stuff for creation
replenishment · purchasing · demand · trade · commodities · import · export · upstream
Aligning timing across systems
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- integrationCombining into a whole
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
collaboration · oversight · facilitation · liaison · third-party · 3PL · cross-functional · end-to-end
quartermaster
Officer managing military supplies
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- convoyGuarded traveling group
- reinforcementsAdditional troops sent in
ammunition · campaign · operations · maneuver · airlift · materiel · provisions · staging · mobilization · resupply
freight
Goods being transported
trucking · carriers · couriers · delivery · transit · conveyance · routing · fleet · last-mile · intermodal
storage
Space for keeping goods
forklift · shelving · receiving · shipping · dock · pick-and-pack · SKU · barcode · scanning · aisle
optimization
Maximizing efficiency or performance
- leanLacking fat; incline
- kaizenPhilosophy of incremental progress
- throughputProcessing rate over time
streamlining · automation · just-in-time · bottleneck · productivity · scalability
forecasting
Estimating future conditions
- schedulingAssigning times to events
- budgetingAllocating funds systematically
- contingencyUncertain possible event
timeline · roadmap · milestones · ERP
procurement
Obtaining goods externally
materials · replenishment · purchasing · demand · trade · commodities · import · export · upstream · downstream
synchronization
Aligning timing across systems
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- integrationCombining into a whole
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
alignment · collaboration · oversight · facilitation · liaison · third-party · 3PL · cross-functional · end-to-end · visibility
- industriesbusiness, factories, education, health, supply chain
- military termsarmy, navy, air force, marines, soldier
- military supportmedical services, transportation, communications, engineering, supply
- other military servicessupply, transport, signals, medics, engineers
- Industrial Sectorsmanufacturing, aerospace, defense, automotive, machinery
- industryfactories, factory, automotive, manufacturing plant, manufacturing plants
logisticsstrategy
Planned approach to goals
grand strategy · vision · policy · strategic planning · theory
logisticsideation
Forming mental concepts
creativity · innovation · research and development · design · sales
- logistical nightmareSeverely complicated coordination problem
- logistical delaysSlowdowns in coordination processes
- military logisticsArmed forces supply management
- logistical supportProvisioning and coordination services
- cold chain logisticsTemperature-maintained distribution system
- wartime logisticsOrganizing resources during armed conflict
logistical, logistic, logistician, logistically, logisticians