A Skunkworks project is the name given to a small team of individuals leading an innovative undertaking, and conducting research and development outside of the normal scope of an organization. With this concept in mind, our team of six individuals was tasked with finding and conceptualizing innovative solutions within varying business markets of interest. Our team started off with five markets that we identified issues in and were passionate about solving. These included Sports Engagement, Education, Student Debt, Digital Literacy, and Viral Health. From extensive research, trial and error, and endless conversations we settled on creating business models in two final areas: Student Debt and Viral Health. Our research in Student Debt led us to the discovery that the average Arizona State student, takes out $21,237 in loans for their four year degree and in the whole state of Arizona, a student takes on an average of $22,253. Our solution to this problem was to create a student financial app that served as an efficient debt tracker that provided important information about finances, investing, and student loan information. Additionally, our team also wanted the address the issue of sexually transmitted diseases, just a small scope of Viral Health, within Arizona State University. Our research led us to discover that 50% of people report not getting tested, and from this population most reported it was due to anxiety and financial issues. From our research the StayInformed app was created to provide students with better accessibility to both at-home and clinic testing services, and updated education on sexual health. With this project model we hope to increase the rate of students testing and allow students more agency over their sexual health. Although these two services are addressing very different markets, they both utilize forward thinking technology to create much needed solutions and better the lives of students.

Purpose: This paper serves to illustrate the risks that affect multinational organizations during this new era of global production and increased supply chain complexity. This paper also strives to showcase the benefits of conducting a Network Optimization analysis on a firm’s logistics system including but not limited to reducing the impact of supply chain market and operational risk, improving efficiency, and increasing cost savings across the organization. Approach: This paper will have two main sections beginning with an in depth look into the theory supporting supply chain logistics network optimizations. Through this literature review, the best practices in the industry will be compared to risk mitigation methodology to determine an analytical process that can be applied to companies considering conducting a network optimization. The second stage of this paper takes a clinical look at the aerospace industry and the implementation process of a Logistics Network Optimization at an industry leader to ultimately recommend additional considerations they should implement into their process. Recommendation: To ensure the effective adoption of a network optimization in the aerospace industry, and other manufacturing industries, the maintenance of logistics data and creation of long term 3PL partnerships are needed for success. It is also important to frame a network optimization not as an operational project, but rather a critical business process aimed to mitigate risk within the supply chain though a four-stage risk identification process.