Respondents cited "visible and active senior management commitment" as the single greatest success factor for their implemented projects (61 percent). "Performance measures aligned to desired outcomes" was number two (56 percent). "Technology enablers established and operating" placed only fifth, suggesting the growing acknowledgement that technology alone is not the answer, said Poirier.

According to the survey, high technology, telecommunications and wholesale delivery companies are in the lead. Industries showing the least progress include consumer goods, government, and oil and gas.

The survey was conducted this summer. It was sent to readers of Supply Chain Management Review and approximately 100 CSC customers with supply chain management responsibilities.

Half the respondents represent corporate offices or independent businesses. The other half hail from business units within companies or wholly owned subsidiaries.

Industries represented include: aerospace and defense, chemicals, consumer goods, government, healthcare, technology, discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing, media and entertainment, oil and gas, professional services, retail, telecommunications, transportation services, utilities and wholesale distribution.

Poirier is a frequent speaker and prolific author. His most recent book, The Networked Supply Chain: Applying Breakthrough BPM Technology to Meet Relentless Customer Demands, written with CSC co-authors Lynette Ferrara, Francis Hayden and Douglas Neal, was released last month.