Learn Logistics

The operations that keep modern life running. A free, structured curriculum: 5 units · 20 lessons · self-paced.

Unit 1: Components of Logistics

Lesson 1.1: What Is Logistics: The System Overview

Lesson 1.2: Identifying Key Components

Lesson 1.3: How Each Component Functions

Lesson 1.4: Inputs, Outputs, and Boundaries

Unit 2: How the System Interacts

Lesson 2.1: Relationships Between Components

Lesson 2.2: Feedback Loops and Dependencies

Lesson 2.3: Flow of Information and Resources

Lesson 2.4: Bottlenecks and Failure Points

Unit 3: Analyzing Logistics

Lesson 3.1: Measuring System Performance

Lesson 3.2: Key Metrics and Indicators

Lesson 3.3: Diagnostic Frameworks

Lesson 3.4: Comparing Alternative System Designs

Unit 4: Optimization and Improvement

Lesson 4.1: Identifying Optimization Opportunities

Lesson 4.2: Trade-Offs and Constraints

Lesson 4.3: Strategies for System Improvement

Lesson 4.4: Scaling and Sustainability

Unit 5: Logistics in the Real World

Lesson 5.1: Real-World System Case Studies

Lesson 5.2: Policy and Decision Making

Lesson 5.3: Stakeholders and Competing Interests

Lesson 5.4: Future Trends and Disruptions

Sample lesson preview

What Is Logistics: The System Overview

Understand what Logistics is and why it matters.

Logistics is best understood through its purpose: what problem does it solve, or what need does it address? Rather than starting with a textbook definition, think about when and why people encounter Logistics in real life. Understanding the "why" first makes the technical details much easier to grasp. The simplest test of understanding: can you explain it in one sentence to someone who's never heard of it?