When designing a distribution network, two fundamental questions should be asked. They are:

$(1)$ What does the competition do and $(2)$ What should we do$?$

$(1)$ Is the goal to increase revenue and decrease costs or $(2)$ focus on Supply Chain Surplus?

$(1)$ Will product be delivered to the customer location or picked up from a pre$-$arranged site and $(2)$ will product flow through an intermediary?

$(1)$ Should the inbound logistics be sourced from a $3$PL or $(2)$ should the outbound logistics be sourced through a $3$PL$?$