PwC’s 2024 Digital Trends in Operations Survey

12/06/24

69%

of operations and supply chain officers say tech investments haven’t fully delivered expected results.

37%

companies have changed their operating model in the past year.

70%

say their companies have tested or implemented GenAI.

45%

CEOs believe their company may not be viable in ten years.

When companies invest significantly in different technologies to improve operations and supply chains, some trial and error is expected. However, as our 2024 Digital Trends in Operations Survey shows, there are still too many errors. Our survey of 600 operations and supply chain officers found a significant gap between what a majority (69%) of those surveyed expected new technology to deliver and the actual results.

Most companies are spending on new tech, but it’s unclear how technologies are working together. Digital skills are still taking a back seat. Less than a third of respondents say evolving their digital workforce and increasing digitisation, automation and analytics are among their top priorities.

Without a clear and consistent business case and enterprise strategy, milestones can shift, short-term benefits are often prioritised and business as usual continues to dominate.

Radical changes in thinking are needed if digital investments don’t embrace new models with strong business cases, operations and supply chains won’t navigate looming and larger issues that can limit long-term growth and success.