As supply chains evolve across Ireland, leaders are continuing to reassess what “good” looks like. The focus is moving beyond cost and speed towards how supply chains support broader business outcomes, including customer experience, resilience and sustainable growth.
Several themes are emerging in the Irish context.
In practice, this shift is driving a more integrated and data-led approach across the full supply chain, from supplier selection and risk monitoring through to logistics, fulfilment and customer delivery. Organisations that embed these metrics, and act on the insights they provide, are better positioned to build supply chains that are resilient, adaptable and aligned to long-term growth in the Irish market
For leaders looking to maximize data for clear decision making, and to turn the supply chain into a true driver of value, here are eight types of metrics to prioritise:
1. Real-time data and visibility
In Ireland’s highly interconnected and internationally exposed supply chains, visibility is critical. Disruptions across global suppliers, ports or logistics networks can have immediate downstream impacts locally. Leading organisations are investing in integrated platforms that provide real-time visibility across suppliers, inventory and logistics, enabling earlier detection of disruption and faster, more coordinated responses.
Metrics to track :
- Time to detect and respond to supply chain risks and disruptions
- Visibility and utilisation of data across supply chain partners and systems
2. Technology utilisation and scenario planning
Irish organisations are increasingly using advanced analytics and digital twins to simulate disruption scenarios, from supplier failure to transport delays or regulatory changes.
This supports more informed decision-making, particularly in sectors such as life sciences and retail where continuity and compliance are critical. Scenario planning enables proactive risk mitigation and better alignment between operations and broader business strategy.
Metrics to track:
- Coverage of scenario testing across key supply chain risks
- Accuracy of simulations compared with real-world outcomes
3. AI and automation decision accuracy
AI and automation are becoming embedded across core supply chain activities in Ireland, including demand forecasting, procurement and logistics planning.
As adoption matures, the focus is shifting from implementation to performance. Organisations are increasingly measuring how accurately AI supports decision-making and how consistently it delivers business value.
Metrics to track:
- Forecast accuracy and demand planning performance
- AI-driven decision accuracy and consistency
- Value realised from AI-enabled decisions
- Automation rates across planning and transactional processes
4. Human–machine collaboration
The interaction between people and technology is a key enabler of performance in Irish organisations. The focus is on how effectively employees are supported by AI tools in decision-making and execution. Strong adoption and trust in these tools is increasingly linked to productivity gains and operational resilience.
Metrics to track:
- Frequency of human intervention in AI-supported decision
- Employee trust in, and adoption of, AI systems
- Productivity balance between human-led and technology-enabled tasks
5. Resilience and Total Value
While resilience remains a priority, the focus is broadening towards Total Value. Organisations are aiming to balance resilience with customer experience, cost efficiency and growth, turning disruption into an opportunity to improve performance and create enterprise value.
Metrics to track:
- Time to recover from disruption or supplier risk exposure
- Supplier diversification and sourcing flexibility
Value realisation indicators:
- Revenue growth linked to improved customer experience
- Cost savings driven by operational improvements
- Employee engagement and operational effectiveness
- Adoption of innovation across the supply chain
6. Cybersecurity and risk management
As supply chains become more digital, exposure to cyber risk continues to increase. This is particularly relevant in regulated sectors such as financial services and life sciences, where data integrity and system availability are critical. Leading organisations are embedding cybersecurity requirements into supplier onboarding and monitoring.
Metrics to track:
- Frequency and severity of cyber incidents
- Response and recovery times
- Supplier compliance with cybersecurity standards
- Maturity of backup and recovery capabilities
7. Sustainability and ESG
Sustainability is now central to supply chain strategy in Ireland, driven by regulation, investor expectations and customer demand. Organisations are focusing on Scope 3 emissions and supplier performance, recognising that much of the impact sits outside direct operations.
Metrics to track:
- Carbon footprint across the full supply chain, including Scope 3 emissions
- Sustainable procurement rates
- Supplier ESG compliance and performance
8. Multimodal supply chain orchestration
Given Ireland’s reliance on international trade, the ability to flex across transport modes is essential. Organisations are improving coordination across road, sea and air to manage disruption, optimise costs and reduce environmental impact.
Metrics to track:
- On-time transfer rates between transport modes
- Variability in transit times
- Ability to switch transport modes in response to disruption or cost pressures
Get in touch
For organisations operating in Ireland, the challenge is no longer whether to transform the supply chain, but how to do so in a way that delivers measurable value. By embedding the right metrics, strengthening data foundations and aligning operations around Total Value, leaders can move from reactive management to proactive, insight-led decision-making.
KPMG works with organisations to assess current supply chain performance, define the metrics that matter, and design practical transformation roadmaps that align with strategic business objectives.
If you would like to explore how these approaches could apply within your organisation, please get in touch with our team.
