Supply chain management (SCM) is the management of a network of interconnected businesses involved in the ultimate provision of product and service packages required by end customers. Supply Chain Management spans all movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption (supply chain).Another definition is provided by the APICS Dictionary when it defines SCM as the "design, planning, execution, control, and monitoring of supply chain activities with the objective of creating net value, building a competitive infrastructure, leveraging worldwide logistics, synchronizing supply with demand, and measuring performance globally."

The first stage in supply chain management is known as Plan. A plan or strategy must be developed to address how a given good or service will meet the needs of the customers. A significant portion of the strategy should focus on planning a profitable supply chain.

At the third stage, Make, the product is manufactured, tested, packaged, and scheduled for delivery. Then, at the logistics phase, customer orders are received and delivery of the goods is planned. This fourth stage of supply chain management stage is aptly named Deliver.

Supply chain management problems
  *  Distribution Network Configuration
  *  Distribution Strategy
  *  Trade-Offs in Logistical Activities
  *  Information
  *  Inventory Management
  *  Cash-Flow

Developments in Supply Chain Management
  1.  Creation Era
  2.  Integration Era
  3.  Globalization Era
  4.  Specialization Era—Phase One: Outsourced Manufacturing and Distribution
  5.  Specialization Era—Phase Two: Supply Chain Management as a Service
  6.  Supply Chain Management 2.0 (SCM 2.0)

Supply chain business process integration
  *  Customer relationship management
  *  Customer service management
  *  Demand management
  *  Order fulfillment
  *  Manufacturing flow management
  *  Supplier relationship management
  *  Product development and commercialization
  *  Returns management
One could suggest other key critical supply business processes which combine these processes stated by Lambert such as:

  1.  Customer service management
  2.  Procurement
  3.  Product development and commercialization
  4.  Manufacturing flow management/support
  5.  Physical distribution
  6.  Outsourcing/partnerships
  7.  Performance measurement

Components of supply chain management integration
  *  Planning and control
  *  Work structure
  *  Organization structure
  *  Product flow facility structure
  *  Information flow facility structure
  *  Management methods
  *  Power and leadership structure
  *  Risk and reward structure
  *  Culture and attitude