The latest edition of Capgemini Consulting’s Supply Chain Agenda study outlines the major trends and developments affecting supply chain executives from around the world.

This 2011 Global Supply Chain Agenda study demonstrates that while the general economic outlook at the start of 2011 seems positive, a significant number of the respondents to this year’s survey indicate they are uncertain about market demand in 2011 and that they are therefore determined to improve visibility in the supply chain.

The study reveals that the top 2 business drivers for supply chain executives in 2011 are operating a reliable supply chain in a volatile environment, while simultaneously dealing with rising material costs:
- 40% of respondents answered that demand volatility was their number 1 business driver
- 35% placed increased material / service costs at number 2

Meeting this twin challenge will mean improving control of both the internal and external supply chain. Consequently, when the respondents were asked to name their top supply chain projects in 2011, improving supply chain visibility ranks as top for 45% of them.