The most accurate planning of the supply chain is essential, but it is becoming increasingly difficult due to new, sometimes disruptive technologies, for example. “Supply chain planning must also take this into account,” says Sven Siepen, Partner at Roland Berger. The consultants surveyed more than 200 companies worldwide about their current status . 56% of respondents already see problems today with regard to their requirements planning. Production planning, however, consider three quarters as okay. Overall, however, half of the surveyed companies acknowledge that their supply chain strategy will no longer meet future requirements.

The consultants recommend a three-step process to change that. Actual analysis, vision, and implementation. The specific establishment of future-oriented supply chain processes can, in the opinion of the experts, sometimes take years. But it would be worth it. A reduction of short-term planning changes by 20% to 30% is a result along with the better use of production capacities. The digital transformation in supply chain management in 2017 had already been examined in a study by the German Logistics Association. It turns out that half of the companies surveyed are still waiting for tried-and-tested solutions for practical use. This was followed by a reminder: “This attitude can be detrimental to business, because in the digital age, a high innovation speed is more important than ever.”