but supply chains are not always predictable. So the question is, when are we going to see a completely non-obvious supply chain prediction that, in fact, is going to be reality in a few short years.

Or have we reached a point where supply chain technologies, methodologies, and development chonologies are completley predictable? Everytime I see a list of predictions these days, they are either obvious, generic, or, in the case of this recent article over on EyeForTransport on The top 10 … or make that the top 12 thoughts for supply chain in 2012, an updated list of supply management best-practices if you want to be considered a leader instead of a loser.

Don’t get me wrong — the article linked above is one of the best lists of the top 12 things you should be doing now that I’ve seen in a while, but I want to see someone take a step back, look way forward, predict where supply chain will be, and then come out and give what looks like a prediction out of left-field on what we have to do to get there. Of course, the risk of doing this is that you’re a futurist, and some of your predictions will be wrong (and might get you temporarily labelled as a crackerjack), but if even one is right, and spectacularly right, people will forget the mistakes and pronounce you as a visionary when your longer term prediction comes true.

So, with 2013 just around the seasonal corner, does anyone want to stand up, predict major unexpected changes in the supply chain in the next 5, 15, and 50 years, and roll the bones?