BCG
BEYOND THE
BUZZ : DR STEFAN GSTETTNER TALKS SUPPLY CHAIN
We go beyond the buzzwords Q & A style with Dr Stefan Gstettner , Partner & Associate Director at BCG , on some of supply chain ' s most pressing issues
WRITTEN BY : LAURA V . GARCIA
When you sit down with someone as knowledgeable and experienced in supply chain as Dr Stefan Gstettner , Partner & Associate Director at Boston Consulting Group ( BCG ), you don ’ t mince words . And so I didn ’ t . I milked every moment , and the man was gracious enough to even let me sneak in a few extra questions . So we did this one Q & A style . Let ’ s dig in .
We hear so much about tech and digital transformations that it seems we ’ ve forgotten about humans along the way . Could you explain to me the concept of a “ bionic supply chain ”? “ The digital supply chain transformation is not just the technology transformation , and that ' s why we are promoting the concept of the bionic supply chain so heavily because it ' s mainly humans driving advancements in supply chains . But today , they are augmenting their capabilities or mentored by technology . So we need to take a humancentric approach to all the change that is going on in supply chain transformations .
“ Then we need to have an equally savvy view on the technology opportunities and how we can make technology help the humans to drive supply chain management . Then there is the next step , which goes into cognitive , i . e . intelligent , automation of supply chains . And I do believe that will play a huge role . However , the human aspect will never go away . It will only change . There will probably be less human interaction . It will definitely become more demanding human interaction . But the principle remains the same . It will be the perfect blend between humans and technology that will drive the desired outcomes .”
Extreme market volatility is yet another immense challenge being faced , bringing a lot of disruption to business planning . Along with the logistical issues previously mentioned , supply chains are now dealing with dramatic shifts in both supply and demand and feeling the failings of deterministic models , which previously proved more reliant .
businesschief . eu 491