Developing an Agile Supply Chain (1)

Sri Haryono, ST, MBA

Executive Board

04 December 2025

Gambar Berita

Building Responsiveness, Resilience, and Real-Time Capability in a Fast-Changing World

In today’s hypercompetitive and fast-changing business landscape, supply chains are no longer static systems focused only on efficiency. They must evolve into dynamic, adaptive, and highly responsive networks. An agile supply chain is designed to deal with volatile demand, disruptions, fluctuating lead times, and unpredictable market pressures. Unlike traditional supply chains that prioritize cost and stability, agile supply chains prioritize speed, flexibility, and the ability to respond effectively to unexpected change.

1. Becoming Market Sensitive: The Ability to Read and React to Demand

Market sensitivity is the core capability that differentiates agile supply chains from traditional, forecast-driven supply chains. Rather than relying heavily on long-term projections, agile supply chains operate using real-time market signals.

A market-sensitive supply chain can interpret fluctuations in consumer demand, competitor activity, market trends, and external conditions (weather, political changes, global events). This sensitivity manifests in three areas:
- Demand signal accuracy
- Speed of sensing market changes
- Speed of adjusting supply chain activities

How to Develop Market Sensitivity

a. Implement Demand Sensing and Real-Time Data Analytics

Demand sensing uses real-time data: POS transactions, eCommerce clicks, social listening, distributor withdrawals, to predict near-term demand with much higher precision than traditional forecasting. It may include:
- Machine learning–based forecasting systems
- AI-based pattern recognition

b. Strengthen Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) Into IBP

Traditional monthly S&OP cycles are too slow for volatile markets. Companies need Integrated Business Planning (IBP) with weekly or bi-weekly cycles, cross-functional collaboration, and scenario planning.

c. Build Shorter Planning Windows

Agile supply chains adopt short planning horizons (weekly/daily) instead of monthly or quarterly windows. This improves reaction speed and reduces risk of mismatches.

d. Use Market Intelligence Dashboards

Dashboard visibility enhances decision-making by providing real-time insights on:
- Sell-through rates
- Stock-outs & overstock levels
- Seasonality shifts
- Distribution bottlenecks

e. Align Culture Toward Responsiveness

An agile organization empowers frontline teams, encourages rapid decision-making, and uses data to drive action—not hierarchy or guesswork.

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