Unpacking Key Insights from Recent Research on Supply Chain Planning
With disruptions ranging from ongoing global conflicts to the lingering impact of a worldwide pandemic, discussions around supply chain planning and its importance in today’s business environment have never been more critical. Research from International Data Corporation (IDC) 1, the leading IT market research and advisory firm, has found that executives are continuing to prioritize supply chain investments due, perhaps in no small part, to these global macroeconomic pressures.
“What gets measured gets managed…”
The oft-quoted Peter Drucker truism will be familiar to many. But the less frequently cited words that complete his sentence are arguably even more apt.
“…even when it’s pointless to measure and manage it, and even if it harms the purpose of the organization to do so.”
In other words, you may be planning your supply chain, but how do you know if you are using the correct metrics? Thoroughly researched resources like “How Do You Know If You Have a Good Supply Chain Plan?”, the IDC Technology Spotlight Paper sponsored by The Logic Factory, can make sensible springboards for planning strategists.
The impact of global disruption on supply chain planning
Supply chain planning has changed drastically over recent years, with disruptive events on a global scale laying bare any organizational weaknesses. There’s been a growing emphasis on agility, resilience, and sustainability, and – according to insights from McKinsey2 – strategic planning successes have “made heroes of the teams that keep products flowing in a complex, uncertain, and fast-changing environment.”
KPMG3 has cited a number of factors that are likely to impact the access and flow of goods, challenging planning professionals throughout the remainder of 2023 and beyond. These factors include new and existing geopolitical conflicts, the economic impact of inflation and recession, and the unprecedented weather events related to climate change.
In a bid to mitigate the risks associated with these changes and challenges in the supply chain planning sphere, industry leaders are championing technological transformation. More than 60% of respondents in a recent Gartner4 survey saw tech as a key source of competitive advantage, identifying emerging technologies as critical investments. Dwight Klappich, VP Analyst at Gartner, says:
“Given today’s volatile and disruptive environment, supply chain organizations must become more flexible, and the solution is digitalization.”
The IDC Technology Spotlight Paper recommends going even further and encourages a robust approach combining cutting-edge tech with internal collaboration and business alignment strategies.
A wealth of resources
Effective supply chain planning that maximizes business value relies heavily on well-balanced, integrated systems that encompass multiple elements. However, successfully navigating the contemporary complexities of supply chain optimization for your organization can prove challenging. Why not download your free copy of the IDC Spotlight paper today? It’s packed with actionable insights to help you define and optimize your strategic planning processes by:
- Navigating the intricate layers of end-to-end operations and integration
- Harnessing the power of internal collaboration
- Aligning strategic planning processes with cutting-edge tech
Armed with actionable insights from a trusted industry source, the task of futureproofing feels far less daunting. The business landscape is ever-evolving, and that’s unlikely to change soon. But with ready access to timely and robust research comes a solid sense of empowerment for industry professionals, keeping them one step ahead in a shifting market and helping them to make fact-based decisions that meet their organization’s goals.
How TLF can help further
Research papers, like the IDC’s, provide organizations with broad guidance. But for more specific planning challenges, The Logic Factory (TLF) can offer tailored solutions. TLF provides solutions that take into account global supply chain changes and challenges while aligning perfectly with each customer’s unique aims. For example, we worked with the team at Van den Bosch to ensure that their optimization project achieved its goals by focusing on three critical pillars:
- Data Readiness
- Change Management
- Measuring Value
