{"id":32808,"date":"2022-09-02T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-02T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=32808"},"modified":"2025-12-03T05:50:46","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T10:50:46","slug":"supply-chain-diagram","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/supply-chain-diagram\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding a supply chain diagram"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/category\/strategy-legal-operations\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Strategy, Legal &amp; Operations<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tUnderstanding a supply chain diagram\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2022-09-02T09:00:00-04:00\">September 2, 2022<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"Understanding a supply chain diagram\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/supply-chain-diagram\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/author\/joechurchwoods\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Joe-Yard-2-crop-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"Joe Church Woods\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Joe Church Woods<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Part of supply chain management is knowing how to track your procurement and business processes in generic supply chain patterns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your raw materials and natural resources must be processed into finished products and transported from warehousing to wholesalers and the end customer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, doing this is easier said than done when there is a complication within the supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It helps to have a process flow mapped out to perfect your supply chain optimization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A supply chain diagram can help you map your supply chain model and ensure that your supply chain processes are put into a usable workflow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article will help you understand what a supply chain management diagram is, and how to create (and read) one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Here&#8217;s what we&#8217;ll cover:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#h-what-is-a-supply-chain-diagram\" data-level=\"2\">What is a supply chain diagram?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-essential-components-of-a-supply-chain-diagram\" data-level=\"2\">Essential components of a supply chain diagram<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-step-by-step-guide-for-creating-a-supply-chain-diagram\" data-level=\"2\">Step-by-step guide for creating a supply chain diagram<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-how-to-read-a-supply-chain-diagram\" data-level=\"2\">How to read a supply chain diagram<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-create-better-supply-chain-diagrams-with-sage\" data-level=\"2\">Create better supply chain diagrams with Sage<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-a-supply-chain-diagram\">What is a supply chain diagram?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A supply chain diagram is a visual, graphic representation or&nbsp;supply chain model&nbsp;of the different components of your supply chain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It covers everything from raw materials to money flow between suppliers, warehouses, manufacturers, and end users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The supply chain diagram helps you to outline the different steps in your process and create a model that can be used for procurement, logistics, costing, and pricing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It allows you to outline your process and make sure you map what is unique to your practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-essential-components-of-a-supply-chain-diagram\">Essential components of a supply chain diagram<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While each supply chain diagram will be different, there are some essential components that every diagram should have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These can be copied across any industry and are used to help maintain consistency across a wide variety of different specific diagrams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-supply-raw-materials-and-natural-resources\">Supply: Raw materials and natural resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first element of the supply chain diagram is the supply. This refers to the raw material procurement and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/louisville.edu\/purchasing\/sustainability\/greenpurchasingsupplychain\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">natural resources<\/a>&nbsp;used to make products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The supply chain diagram should include all the basic components of supply and the resource suppliers that provide the raw materials to the factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-manufacturing-manufacturing-process-and-transportation\">Manufacturing: Manufacturing process and transportation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Manufacturing is the second element of a supply chain diagram and refers to the different manufacturing processes and internal&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.hubspot.com\/service\/transportation-management-system?__hstc=10334826.8c392db8cce324ba557e75f5627c2075.1654194795478.1658758778237.1658764572293.123&amp;__hssc=10334826.2.1658764572293&amp;__hsfp=2908620477\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">transportation systems<\/a>&nbsp;that turn raw materials into usable goods, ready for end users. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These systems are essential to map in your diagram, as they showcase the different manufacturing stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-distribution-completed-products-and-shipping\">Distribution: Completed products and shipping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final element of your supply chain diagram is distribution\u2014or how completed products are shipped to the end user after they purchase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This can include direct shipping options or shipments made to retailers and wholesalers that sell the products down their chain to the end user.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-by-step-guide-for-creating-a-supply-chain-diagram\">Step-by-step guide for creating a supply chain diagram<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now that you know more about what a supply chain diagram is and its different components, let\u2019s explore how you can create one and present it to your stakeholders and contributors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-use-or-create-a-supply-chain-diagram-template\">1) Use or create a supply chain diagram template<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trying to begin your supply chain diagram out of thin air might seem intimidating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The good news is that it\u2019s unnecessary to create it from scratch: you can use many different design programs and templates to create your supply chain diagram. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can then use simple editing tools like a drag-and-drop editor to put together the specifics of your template.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-create-upstream-and-downstream-flows\">2) Create upstream and downstream flows<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The upstream of your diagram refers to the incoming raw materials and basic components that flow into your factories and manufacturing spaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The downstream is the transportation of finished goods to your different distributors or end consumers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using symbols to make these flows as clear as possible helps those reading the diagram understand how your supply chain moves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You should also clearly identify your suppliers, manufacturers, transports, logistics, warehouses, and distribution stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-personalize-the-diagram-to-fit-your-needs\">3) Personalize the diagram to fit your needs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/justcreative.com\/7-essential-questions-to-define-your-brand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">brand is a uniquely defined entity<\/a>&nbsp;that is different from every other business out there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even your closest competitors will have differences in how they run their organizations and create their supply chain diagrams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You need to be able to customize your diagram with the unique data and processes that make your supply chain stand out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Managers can then examine these components (like cost, timing, logistics, and locations) and determine how to make improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-share-your-supply-chain-diagram-and-implement-the-changes\">4) Share your supply chain diagram and implement the changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next step is to share your supply chain diagram among your stakeholders, managers, executives, and teams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Part of ethical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/supply-chain-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">supply chain&nbsp;management<\/a> is opening up your processes to everyone on your team and collecting feedback from multiple sources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you get feedback and have had time to document, review, and find areas of improvement, you can make changes to your initial schematic and make sure that everyone on your team understands the flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-finalize-your-diagram-and-continuously-improve\">5) Finalize your diagram and continuously improve<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final step of creating your supply chain diagram is to finalize the document and ensure you have a mindset for continuous improvement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A supply chain diagram is an evolving document that needs to adapt to changes in your process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is important for&nbsp;scaling your business&nbsp;and finding new areas of opportunity within your existing processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you focus on continuous improvement, you can better prepare your supply chain diagram for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-read-a-supply-chain-diagram\">How to read a supply chain diagram<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At a glance, a supply chain diagram can seem complex and difficult to read. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There will be a lot of symbols, boxes, images, and colors in the typical supply chain diagram, which can be hard to understand at first glance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, they are quite simple to read when you understand the basic flow of the chart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look for the starting point of the infographic and follow the flow of arrows that move you through the document. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These arrows will take you through the three stages of the diagram (supply, manufacturing, and distribution) and help show you how these processes are tracked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By following the arrows and directives in the document, you can easily follow the flow of resources and goods and understand any supply chain diagram you come across.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-create-better-supply-chain-diagrams-with-sage\">Create better supply chain diagrams with Sage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Creating a supply chain diagram template is a big part of making sure your supply chain network is mapped out and planned into a roadmap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The good news is that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/products\/supply-chain-intelligence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sage Supply Chain Intelligence<\/a> can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It provides you with the tools you need to streamline your production processes and build your supply chain diagram, offering you a central source of truth for all your data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leverage the right tools and insights to master forecasting, inventory management, and effective supply and demand\u2014ultimately, helping ensure your products get to the end user in the most effective manner possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/products\/supply-chain-intelligence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Explore Sage Supply Chain Intelligence<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to our Sage Advice Newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get our latest business advice delivered directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-ab515c6e-7e90-4c2f-a67e-113872516e8b\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img 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href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/manufacturing\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tManufacturing\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/productivity\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProductivity\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/small-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSmall business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/staying-competitive\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStay competitive\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/supply-chain-management\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSupply chain management\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-34435 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-accounting-101 tag-cash-flow tag-growing-a-business tag-small-business business_type-small-business business_type-growing-business industry-nonprofit card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1261563958-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"3 men sit in front of a computer\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1261563958-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1261563958-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1261563958-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-07-21T12:11:21-04:00\">July 21, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">12 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/church-accounting-101\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tChurch accounting 101: What you need to know\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tManaging your church\u2019s finances? Learn the basics of church accounting and gain the clarity you need to make confident decisions and manage finances easily.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-27370 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership category-strategy-legal-operations category-trends-insights tag-accounting-101 tag-boss-your-business tag-business-intelligence tag-growing-a-business tag-hr-payroll tag-performance tag-workplace-of-the-future business_type-small-business business_type-growing-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/how-many-work-hours-in-a-year\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/BrandShootSF_Oct2021_ProfSvcs_C7476-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/BrandShootSF_Oct2021_ProfSvcs_C7476-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/BrandShootSF_Oct2021_ProfSvcs_C7476-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/BrandShootSF_Oct2021_ProfSvcs_C7476-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-07-20T04:33:05-04:00\">July 20, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">15 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow many work hours in a year?\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-31913 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-technology-innovation tag-cloud-technology tag-customer-acquisition tag-digital-transformation tag-growing-a-business tag-small-business tag-staying-competitive tag-technology business_type-small-business business_type-growing-business industry-software-saas\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/key-saas-metrics-to-track\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1406088800-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1406088800-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1406088800-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1406088800-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-07-17T09:57:01-04:00\">July 17, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">13 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tThe essential SaaS business metrics every business should be tracking\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-29493 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-boss-your-business tag-leadership tag-small-business business_type-small-business business_type-growing-business industry-nonprofit\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/nonprofit-audit-checklist\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1064039238-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Two business partners discussing project\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1064039238-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1064039238-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1064039238-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-07-17T09:07:37-04:00\">July 17, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">13 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tNonprofit audits: Checklist, tips, and tools\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-24119 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-trends-insights tag-accounting-101 tag-boss-your-business tag-cash-flow tag-small-business business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/cash-flow-statement-explained\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-152264416-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Man working on computer tablet\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-152264416-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-152264416-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-152264416-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-07-17T06:13:30-04:00\">July 17, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">14 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tA guide to understanding cash flow statements: Definition, methods and examples\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn more about supply chain diagrams and how to create a model for your business that can be used for procurement, logistics, costing, and pricing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1847,"featured_media":32155,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"_pwl_sage_podcast_buzzsprout_src":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[195,399,346,300,251,272,34,155,36],"business_type":[40,41],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[94,53],"persona":[100,98,97],"imagine_tag":[461,245,463,468,434,504,233,230,1032,237],"coauthors":[592],"class_list":["post-32808","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-strategy-legal-operations","tag-boss-your-business","tag-business-continuity","tag-cloud-technology","tag-distribution","tag-manufacturing","tag-productivity","tag-small-business","tag-staying-competitive","tag-supply-chain-management","business_type-small-business","business_type-growing-business","industry-distribution","industry-manufacturing"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-us","author_name":"Joe Church Woods","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/Mar2025_GB-Trucking-Logistics_0024.jpeg","imagine_tags":{"461":"Cloud","245":"Distribution","463":"ERP","468":"Grow your business","434":"Large Business","504":"Manufacturing","233":"Medium Businesses","230":"Small business","1032":"Supply chain intelligence","237":"Supply Chain Management"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice US","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32808","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1847"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32808"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32808\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/32155"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32808"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32808"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32808"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=32808"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=32808"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=32808"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=32808"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=32808"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=32808"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=32808"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}