The era of globalisation has connected businesses across the world making supply chains very efficient. But like all good things, this also comes with its baggage of disadvantages.
Even with technology, AI and globalisation, supply chains face risks and challenges every day. In this blog, we will discuss a few risk mitigation strategies in supply chain management that will ensure productivity, smooth operation and prevent recurrence.
7 Risk Mitigation Strategies in Supply Chain Management
- Follow the PPRR Framework
The PPRR Framework is a popular method for managing risks in supply chain management. It involves being proactive, having a backup plan, implementing it to reduce risks, and then getting back to normal. Such benefits of supply chain risk management streamlines the supply chain risk management process making it easy for all related parties to access it.
- Use Smart Logistics Planning
Relying on just one supplier can be risky for global companies. Events like pandemics or geopolitical issues can disrupt logistics networks, halting the entire supply chain. To avoid this, it’s essential to have risk mitigation strategies in supply chain management like sourcing materials from multiple suppliers. If one closes for any reason, the others can keep operations running until a solution is found.
Make Your Supply Chain Agile
An agile supply chain allows you to quickly adapt to market changes, providing better protection during unexpected disruptions. To reduce supply chain risks:
- Set reorder points for inventory.
- Keep track of current information and regularly generate inventory reports.
- Depend on a distribution strategy for inventories.
- Collaborate with a provider of omnichannel fulfilment.
- Investing in Supply Chain Software
In today’s digital world, handling supply chain risks requires advanced analytics powered by AI, working alongside human creativity. The software for managing supply chain risks should be clear and spread out to make sure you get the best performance from your suppliers.
Risk mitigation strategies in supply chain management evaluate how well suppliers are doing by setting performance standards and comparing suppliers against those benchmarks. It also helps the team work together with suppliers to create Supplier Development Programs.
Such programs allow suppliers to improve their overall performance and maintain consistency. Additionally, supply chain risk management solutions simplify data analysis, aiding in creating models, contingency plans, and strategies for process improvement.
- Proactive Supplier Risk Management
To reduce supply chain risks, manufacturing firms need to see all the risks related to their suppliers. They must assess risk mitigation strategies in supply chain management to find and eliminate any risk exposure.
Procurement functions should have a dedicated team focusing on external supply chain assessments and relationship management strategies, led by a cross-functional risk management team.
Companies can create a supplier development program to come up with improvement strategies. This program empowers teams by creating backups and minimising any supply chain obstacles.
Like the supplier risk, the supply chain must also have a failsafe plan in place for environmental risks. The importance of supply chain risk management strategies lies in the fact that it is ready to face unannounced or sudden changes in the supply chain.
These changes can happen due to weather, environment or even global economic changes. Let’s see some risk mitigation strategies in supply chain management when it comes to environmental changes and threats.
- Environmental Changes
The pandemic exposed big gaps in the global supply chain network. Still, risks do come unannounced and there is no “one way” of preparing for environmental risks. Therefore, risk teams need a business continuity plan to ensure that nothing disrupts their supply chain and business.
Here are some fundamental strategies supply chains can apply to manage environmental risks:
Multisource
Supplier categorisation should be not only based on costs but also on disruption. Such smart risk mitigation strategies in supply chain management will identify suppliers that work out multiple locations. This helps the supply chains to have a list of the best possible vendors.
Nearshore
Manufacturing organisations need to identify suppliers close to their operation centres. This will lower the lead time for delivery as well as production development. Sometimes partnering with regional suppliers can become expensive. Therefore, to avoid any potential risks, risk mitigation strategies in supply chain management like nearshore is a better approach.
- Improve Your Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management
For multiple businesses, the Internet of Things (IoT) and other digital technologies play a significant role in optimising supply chain operations. However, using tools like IoT and other AI technologies does leave businesses exposed to cybersecurity threats. Businesses can face threats like malware, ransomware, phishing and hacking.
Environmental risks can further add to these vulnerabilities. To enhance and strengthen your cybersecurity defences, implement the risk mitigation strategies in supply chain management.
Cyber Risk Mitigation Strategies
- Establish compliance standards for all third-party vendors. These include manufacturers, suppliers and distributors.
- Define user roles and implement security control to ensure that only the intended users can access the sensitive and private information
- Do a thorough vendor risk assessment before employing them
- Implement data stewardship standards to ensure who owns which data and what they are doing with it.
- Given employees comprehensive cybersecurity protocol training.
- Install a software solution that provides total visibility into your supply chain. This makes identifying, locating and mitigating any unusual activity or risks easier and faster.
- Work with all your supply chain vendors to develop a unified disaster recovery plan to ensure the continuity of your business.
- Establish backup controls to safeguard your data backup.
Last but not least, update your company’s anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software at regular intervals. This will enhance the impact of risk in supply chain management.
The concept of cyber security and visibility is closely related when it comes to supply chains. When you have “visibility” in your supply chains the risk of infiltration or third-party hackers is significantly less. See how supply chain visibility is important.
- Improve Your Supply Chain Visibility
Supply chain visibility refers to the ability to track different goods and products in transit. It gives a clear view of the inventory and the activity. It gives the shippers data to improve customer service and cost controls through management of inventory in motion, proactive status updates, limiting disruptions and risk mitigation.
Obtaining additional information can prove to be one of the advantageous risk mitigation strategies in supply chain management, as a comprehensive understanding of every facet of your supply chain enables early detection of potential issues before they escalate.
Enhanced insight into the financial stability of your suppliers aids in prudent partner selection. Some prominent credit rating agencies provide predictive reports on the financial stability of numerous potential suppliers, mitigating external business risks associated with third-party vendors.
While this may not address existing vendor relationships, it facilitates the establishment of more secure business connections, minimising vulnerability to supply chain risks.
Exploring technology solutions for increased product as one of the risk mitigation strategies in supply chain management is crucial for keeping customers informed about delivery times and proactively addressing potential challenges to avoid costly delays and unmet expectations.
Leveraging service portals, IoT sensors on containers, automated inventory reports, and other tools can provide real-time updates. This is particularly important in the critical “last mile” of delivery, where third-party services may take control, potentially diminishing visibility in that segment of the customer journey.
FAQs:7 Risk Mitigation Strategies in Supply Chain Management 2024
What is supply chain risk management?
Supply chain risk management involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential disruptions to the flow of goods and sеrvicеs within a business’s supply network.
How can businesses proactively identify supply chain risks?
Businesses can proactively identify supply chain risks through comprehensive risk assessments, scеnario planning, and robust collaboration with suppliеrs to anticipatе and address potential challenges.
What role does technology play in mitigating supply chain risks?
Tеchnology plays a crucial role in mitigating supply chain risks by еnabling rеal-timе visibility, data analytics, and automation. Advancеd systеms hеlp idеntify vulnerabilities and strеamlinе rеsponsеs to disruptions.
How do global events impact supply chain risk management strategies?
Global еvеnts, such as pandеmics or gеopolitical shifts, can significantly impact supply chain risk management strategies. Companies must continually adapt and build rеsiliеncе to navigatе uncertainties on a global scale.
What steps can companies take to ensure regulatory compliance in their supply chain?
To ensure regulatory compliance in the supply chain, companies should implement robust monitoring systems, maintain transparеnt documentation, and еngagе in rеgular audits to adhere to lеgal and industry-specific requirements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, navigating the complexities of global supply chains requires proactive risk mitigation strategies. The PPRR Framework ensures a systematic approach, while smart logistics planning and agile supply chains enhance resilience. Leveraging advanced technologies, such as AI-powered software, aids in supplier evaluation and streamlined data analysis. With Qodenext avail risk mitigation strategies in supply chain management from experts who specialise in supplier risk management, environmental risk strategies, and cyber risk mitigation for a comprehensive risk management approach. Supply chain visibility, regulatory compliance, and embracing technology are pivotal for minimising vulnerabilities and disruptions in an ever-evolving global landscape.
