plan—including depth charts of its global talent pool
and individual development requirements—to ensure
that supply chain talent is available and ready to carry
out the planned transformation. The plan also gives
executives a new framework for monitoring and organizing their people resources, while employees have a
much clearer view of future opportunities.
In supply chain personnel depth charts, accuracy
and detail are essential for informed decision making.
This can be accomplished by replacing paper-based
processes with talent management software. These
tools provide a readily accessible and up-to-date,
companywide repository of information regarding
the supply chain talent pool. The software facilitates
the collection and dissemination of dynamic organizational charts, useful information regarding key
supply chain roles, and the capabilities of current
position holders.
A heavy equipment manufacturer deployed this
type of solution to achieve visibility of supply chain
talent across its global operations. The company’s
supply chain leaders use the software to find and
evaluate internal candidates for open positions, ana-
lyze bench strength, and drive succession planning.
Within the database, every key position holder is
required to create a list of three potential successors.
Details regarding these replacement candidates are
pooled, and a broad “marketplace” of promotable
supply chain talent is generated for the organization.
DEVELOP YOUR PROSPECTS
A successful transition from amateur or collegiate
sports to the professional level is not guaranteed. Only
a rare talent can make an immediate impact during
his or her rookie year in a professional league. Often,
a team will sign a player knowing that years of development will be required for that individual to achieve
peak performance. That’s why professional teams
employ player-development personnel, trainers, and
strength coaches to facilitate player conditioning and
to improve fundamental skills. Training camps allow
players to hone their craft under the watchful eyes of
coaches. Moreover, minor-league assignments allow
young talent to get on the field rather than sit on the
bench of a major-league team. Although these developmental efforts require time and money, they help
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Agree/Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree/Strongly Disagree
An effective SCM succession plan
positively impacts company
performance
An effective SCM succession plan
positively impacts retention
We need to improve our SCM
succession-planning process
Percentage of Respondents
[FIGURE 2] ATTITUDES TOWARD SCM SUCCESSION PLANNING
SOURCE: SCM TALENT DEVELOPMENT: THE ADVANCE PROCESS, COUNCIL OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS
(CSCMP), 2014
