Just 29% of supply chain organizations have developed at least three of the key five competitive characteristics needed for future readiness, according to a survey by Gartner, Inc. These characteristics will be needed for chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) to manage the future drivers of influence on the function, including proving their achievement capability of AI and navigating new trade policies.
"Leaders shared a commitment to preparation through long-term, deliberate strategies, while non-leaders were more often focused on short-term priorities," says Pierfrancesco Manenti, VP analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice. "Most leaders have yet to invest in the most advanced technologies (e.g. real-time visibility, digital supply chain twin), but plan to do so in the next 3-5 years. Leaders see technology as an enabler to their overall business strategies, while non-leaders more often invest in technology first, without having fully established their foundational capabilities.”
Gartner Inc.
Key takeaways:
- Gartner’s analysis identified four unique profiles of supply chain organizations – design, durability, deferment and decision.
“While CSCOs can be successful aligning to any of the four profiles, the data suggests following the design profile. Its emphasis on business model innovation capabilities could be the most fruitful, as there are more leaders aligned with the design profile compared to the others,” says Manenti. “Critically important is a commitment to making very focused investments aligned to their profile, something the leading organizations share.”
