Raoul van Groenewoud, finalist Van Duuren Bachelor Scriptieprijs Logistiek: an improved recource planning process for German railway company

Naam: Raoul van Groenewoud
Hogeschool: NHTV
Leeftijd: 24
Woonplaats: Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

Introduction thesis
Goal of my thesis was to provide a German railway company with a concept that improves their resource planning processes in order to increase operational efficiency. I focused on their core resources locomotives, wagons and engine drivers and aimed at maximizing economic results with optimal planning effort.  Initially being asked to determine requirement specifications for a partly automated IT to support the processes, I pretty soon discovered that neither process structure nor process control and organisation structure would allow the effective implementation of an IT system.  Eventually the thesis mainly deals with the synchronization of these parts.

Strengths of the thesis
Besides the really good structure, the probably biggest strength of the thesis is the way in which it challenges the status quo of the resource planning and how this process is embedded into the wider organisation.  It gives a vast amount of recommendations that seek to align processes with control structures and organisational layout.

What means logistics to you?
For me Logistics is what keeps us going, what satisfies our ever-growing individual but also our societal needs. It’s the facilitator of global trade and builds a new challenge every day. It’s this challenge and the international prospective that attracts me and motivates me in what I do!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Within five years from now I am supposed to be progressed halfway towards my long-term 10 year goal to become a Supply Chain Manager of a large multinational OEM in the South East Asia region.

Finaledag Nederlandse Scriptieprijs Logistiek
Op 13 februari vindt de finaledag van de Nederlandse Scriptieprijs Logistiek plaats bij Berenschot in Utrecht. Ben je benieuwd of Raoul als winnaar bekroond zal worden? Wij nodigen je graag uit om aanwezig te zijn bij deze spannende finaledag.