Optimizing Last-Mile Delivery for a San Francisco Grocery Startup
Overview
What this challenge is about.
Optimize last-mile delivery routes for a grocery startup using network flow algorithms, then earn a verifiable certificate.
The scenario
QuickKorb is a Series A startup in San Francisco's competitive grocery delivery market, operating with thin margins and a focus on sustainability.
The Brief
What you'll do, and what you'll demonstrate.
Minimize total travel distance for a fleet of delivery vehicles subject to time windows and capacity constraints.
Earning criteria — what you'll demonstrate
- Formulate a real-world logistics problem as a network flow model
- Apply the successive shortest path algorithm to find optimal flows
- Interpret dual variables (shadow prices) for capacity constraints
- Validate model outputs against operational constraints
Program Fit
Where this fits in your program.
Sharpens the same skills your degree expects you to demonstrate.
Operations Research and Optimization
Bachelor · Methods
Strong alignment
This challenge maps to Operations Research and Optimization at the Bachelor level. It sharpens the same practical skills your coursework expects — but in a real industry context with actual constraints and deliverables.
Skills
Skills you'll demonstrate.
Each one shows up on your verified credential.
- Linear Programming
Apply linear programming to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- Network Flow
Apply network flow to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- Python
Write clean, efficient Python for data processing, automation, and backend services.
- Data Analysis
Analyze real datasets, build models, and communicate findings that drive decisions.
Careers
Career paths this challenge builds toward
Completing this challenge demonstrates skills that transfer directly to these roles: