Another overlooked source of missed value in 2026 is vendor sprawl. Businesses often carry too many suppliers, overlapping tools, unclear service levels and fragmented accountability.
Where the value leaks
- Suppliers are chosen without structured comparison
- Contracts do not translate into managed performance
- Stakeholders assume someone else owns vendor follow-up
- Commercial terms and scope drift over time
Why this matters
Weak supplier governance creates hidden cost, service inconsistency and avoidable risk. It also slows projects because problems are discovered late and resolved slowly.
How businesses respond
They define requirements more clearly, compare suppliers more consistently, track service performance and assign ownership for vendor relationships. Good procurement is not just about price. It is about value, control and continuity.