Supply chain software implementations: getting it right

Purpose – To highlight key success factors in supply chain projects. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents insights from a number of supply chain projects in which IT has played an important part in the business solution. Findings – Successful supply chain projects have four things in common: the right leadership, the right focus, the right approach and effective communication of KPIs to all stakeholders engaged in the project. Research limitations/implications – The focus of the paper is on supply chain projects with a significant IT component, but the key success factors identified are common to the majority of supply chain projects. Practical implications – Companies must not assume that investment in IT is, by itself, a solution to their supply chain solutions. A lack of leadership, focus and communication will invariably result in sub‐optimal outcomes which are all too frequently attributed to the complex nature of the project or the inflexibility of the software when in most cases the problems are internal to the businesses involved and the project management process. Originality/value – This paper provides practical tips for improving the likelihood of getting the most out of IT‐based supply chain projects.