Foundation of the future

CSCMP exists to do two things of absolute importance. The first is to help supply chain professionals and leaders elevate their core competencies, and the second is to help them adapt to the challenges they’ll face in the years ahead. We are truly committed to being a solid foundation for our members as they navigate through their professional careers. That’s why our 2023 EDGE conference theme was “Foundation to Future: Where Today’s Supply Chain Greets the Brilliance of Tomorrow.”

I’ve said many times that as supply chain professionals, we solve problems that world events create. As your professional organization, CSCMP presents to members a “thoroughfare of learning” so that you can fulfill your mission of helping to sustain society.

Over the past 60 years, we’ve undergone conscious and continuous adaptation. We’ve had to embrace changing industry dynamics, technological advancements, sustainability practices, and emerging trends. CSCMP has consistently adapted to remain relevant and provide value to its members.

And we will continue to do so as we head into the next 60 years and help our members respond to new challenges, questions, and concerns. For example, we know that trusted relationships that were broken during the global pandemic are still being repaired. Many are still in the process of redeveloping capacity, resiliency, and reliability … not to mention trust in that capacity. Are we fully aware of supplier challenges, other options, or levels of risk? How do we solve for this problem, or what do we need to do differently?

Today’s supply chain leaders are also challenged with rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. These advancements have created a widening chasm between the output produced by machine learning and the human capacity to understand it, validate it, and act upon that output. Senior executive will have to ask themselves, “Do I understand AI enough to trust it, or to even make a decision to trust it? At what point can I lean on the outcomes solely, without human intervention?” Finally, we all recognize that the use of AI doesn’t mean the need for people goes away. But how will our talent needs shift in response to the increasing use of AI?

Our organization can help you answer all of these questions and challenges—and more! In fact, over the past 60 years, we’ve helped guide supply chain professionals through all the ups and downs in the supply chain industry.

I’m so proud to be part of this 60-year-old organization. Just think of the evolution of supply chain and logistics over that time period, spurred by advancements in technology, changes in customer expectations, and the need to compete in an increasingly global marketplace.

In fact, CSCMP members have contributed to pushing supply chain capabilities to new limits, blazing pathways to never-before-seen accomplishments like the design, build, and execution of the Saturn V and landing the first man on the moon!

In the last decade alone, we’ve experienced advancements in robotics and automation, real-time data, cloud-based computing, and AI—all in an effort to drive out inefficiencies; improve flexibility, decision-making, and control; and develop leaner and more intelligent supply chains.

Throughout its 60-year history, CSCMP has been at the forefront of promoting supply chain management as a critical discipline. We look forward to the next 60 years.