Supply chain management (SCM) is one of the key mechanisms enabling government to implement policy. Traditionally, SCM has been misunderstood and undervalued. Its strategic importance has not been recognised, and it has been under-capacitated. The negative effects of inefficient public sector SCM, particularly in the procurement phase of the chain, are well documented. Suppliers charge excessive prices; goods and services contracted for and delivered are of poor quality and unreliable; and there is corruption and waste.