20+ Sample Value Chain Analysis

What Is Value Chain Analysis?

Value chain analysis (VCA) is a systematic process coined by Michael Porter’s value chain model back in 1985. And VCA is what any firm can use to determine their primary and support activities until an analysis report follows on how the value of such factors actually helps lessen costs, boost differentiation, or generate profits. Expect value chain analysis to be a visual representation of the different activities done in business from start till the end until organizations learn their competitive advantages.

Why Is Value Chain Analysis Important?

Indeed, value chain analysis aims to define every activity done in business and to analyze their value. But why is it necessary in the first place? Here are some examples that prove just how important value chain analysis is:

Basis for Making Money

Value chain analysis has helped a number of companies in terms of making money. Through analyzing the different systems and subsystems in a value chain for making certain goods and services, you will understand how money plays out in business. Examples include how to reduce operational expenses and boost profits. And the best part is it can apply to any industry whether you work in a restaurant, bank, insurance company, hotel, hospital, IT service, construction, or even manufacturing.

Reevaluates Business Activities

Defining every activity in business is just the initial step of how value chain analysis works. Because analyzing each activity is where you learn which specific activity is giving more value to your business and which ones run the opposite. So if ever there is a certain activity that is not helping your business in terms of profit, production, and efficiency, then it might as well be replaced with more valuable activities.

Sorts Priorities

Another beneficial aspect of VCA is how it helps you know which business activities to prioritize. If one primary activity is your firm’s absolute source of cost advantage, then you would make sure to prioritize and maintain doing that. And for the challenging activities, your goal is to create an improvement plan so that such challenges turn out as a competitive advantage in the long run.

Balanced Analysis

Value chain analysis actually a balanced analysis because it helps you look at both the competitive advantages and disadvantages of your organization. Indeed, learning about the pros of your firm is worth being proud of but the cons must also be acknowledged to know how to transform those weaknesses into strengths. Just like SWOT analysis, there should be balance in recognizing both the good and the bad in a firm.

Competitive Operational Efficiency

One element to raise that competitive edge in your organization is to boost operational efficiency. And that is just what value chain analysis can do for you because the prioritized goals you learned that will bring you an advantage from competitors help you know how to become more effective and efficient with those valuable assets. So you can expect great development as you complete VCA since you get work on your competitive edge further.

The Value Chain Primary and Support Activities

Value chain analysis contains a series of primary and support activities for you to analyze the different business procedures and systems. But what exactly are they? In this segment, you will learn about the two significant activities in the value chain and what each type contains:

Primary Activities

Inbound Logistics: When it comes to the raw materials and resources involved in the company, especially for inventory, warehouse system, and logistics business, it goes under primary activity’s inbound logistics. Value chain analysis will help finalize shipping fees, track supplier locations, and store items in an organized manner.Outbound Logistics: Another primary activity is to distribute the finished products or services; hence, outbound logistics are at play. Consider this part as the delivery action process such as analyzing the various charges per sale, external and internal distribution systems, and other similar order-processing procedures in delivery service industries.Operations: General operations from how raw materials transform into their finished versions or how inputs are prepared for outputs will be another prime example under this category. Machine and related costs will be also talked about here.Marketing and Sales: Businesses have their own set of sales and marketing plans. So how will you present your product and sell it to your target audience? Apply that to your value chain analysis’s primary activities from the promotional expenses and other ads.Services: Service-related activities are also part of the value chain’s primary activities. An example is to analyze the technical support training service, repair service cost, product training cost, exchange and refund policy, and more.

Support Activities

Firm Infrastructure: Support or secondary activities aid every primary activity in gaining the desired competitive advantage. And one common example is firm infrastructure. The primary activities would not happen without a strong infrastructure in the first place. So the overall management in the physical, organizational, and financial systems of key business decisions would be covered here.Human Resource Management: Review the service on how to manage employees, particularly during new hire orientation and training programs. Such a service should be valued so that you get to have excellent workers in the workplace and be competitive. In fact, the hiring process and keeping these good employees will eventually support the primary activities.Technological Development: Automated and technological systems in a company must be determined from the equipment, software, hardware, etc. Although technological advancement is expected for companies to innovate, there may be a need to cut down on technological costs after an analysis, especially if its purpose is to build efficiency and production at work.Procurement: Procurement refers to carefully obtaining inputs, resources, and other materials for the company. The supplies gathered better be enough for the organization’s budget plan. Concerns include the need to negotiate with vendors and sellers, resell certain goods, and optimize the inbound logistics primary activity.

The Two Types of Competitive Advantages

Indeed, it is through value chain analysis that you can experience the desired competitive advantages for your enterprise. But when it comes to being advantageous, it is necessary that you understand the difference between the two types of competitive advantages. And these two are:

Cost Advantage

Cost advantage refers to the strategy where your business spends the lowest possible costs but still remains profitable. But it does not mean that spending low costs are the only big deal because maybe the operational inefficiency and poor quality outcomes were measured. Cost analysis is a big deal here and a good example of displaying cost advantage is when you opt for low-cost resources and raw materials so that the products you sell cost low, which would be good news for consumers.

Differentiation Advantage

Besides going for the business that offers the cheapest products, you may also go for the business that offers the most advanced and specialized goods for competitive advantage. And this is called a differentiation advantage. In this situation, your organization is more focused on delivering top-quality products and services despite having high costs. But, just make sure the costs are worth it, meaning your company delivers unique and premium goods to get that edge in competition.

How to Perfect a Value Chain Analysis

With a clear understanding of the definition, importance, types, and activities of value chain analysis, conducting the analysis itself will run seamlessly for you. Now for the main course, here are the steps you need to perfect the value chain analysis process:

  • Step 1: Optimize a Sample Value Chain Analysis Template

    You would be surprised at how easy value chain analysis is when you have a sample template as your guide in doing the process. From the many value chain analysis samples enlisted above, you can opt for a value chain analysis in strategic management, value chain analysis in earned value management, value chain analysis in manufacturing, and other examples. More so, each template is customizable. So you are free to format and alter it however you want. Edit it according to your preferences now!

  • Step 2: Set Your Business Primary and Support Activities

    You already know that figuring out the different primary and support activities of your organization is crucial to work on value chain analysis. This section is expected to record how products and services are developed, what procedures are involved in transforming raw materials to finished goods, and more. There may be some activities at work that you underlooked but are actually very valuable once analyzed in the long run. So review these activities seriously so you will get the right set of data.

  • Step 3: Analyze the Value and Costs Involved per Activity

    Brainstorming and analyzing the primary and support activities will be a standard in value chain analysis. For example, ask how an activity actually gives value to clients or the company in general. Then, conduct an evaluation of whether the activities mentioned are actually helping you get to the competitive advantage you need, whether it is for cost or differentiation advantage. If they support your goal along, then you know you are doing right. If not, then this is the part to determine areas for improvement.

  • Step 4: Work on Opportunities that Promote Competitive Advantage

    Now that you have performed the value chain analysis steps, what’s next? Decide what’s best for the business. As you complete the value chain analysis, stakeholders would want to check the executive summary of your company’s achievements and areas that need improvement. Make it as if you are writing a formal report on how to begin the improvement plan, how changes can impact results, and what sort of challenges would be met along the way. Then, make certain adjustments on how the business can provide the best activities that are valuable to customers and the organization’s profit margins.

FAQs

What are the three most important steps to perform value chain analysis?

To perform value chain analysis, you need (1) to determine the functions and types of businesses in the value chain, (2) to analyze their structural connections, and (3) to analyze their dynamics.

What is the value chain of Coca-Cola?

Coca-Cola’s value chain is more focused on bottling partnership and distributorship. The bottling partners handle the manufacturing, packaging, merchandising, and distributing process until they are directed to the consumers or vending partners.

What are the types of value chain governance?

Value chain governance consists of market, modular, relational, captive, and hierarchy.

Value chain analysis is your best strategic plan to recognize the different areas of improvement and specific activities that are valuable to your clients and business in general. Thus, VCA is a step closer to growing your business from increasing production, profits, and competitive advantage. Wait no further in experiencing VCA’s benefits by downloading a sample value chain analysis template now!