What Everyone Should Know About Demand Planning

Demand planning is typically done using statistical methods, such as time series analysis and demand management. This type of analysis looks at historical data to identify trends that can be used to predict future demand.

It is a critical part of the supply chain management process and is used to create production plans that ensure that the correct products are available at the right time.

Why is It Important?

Demand planning is a crucial process for businesses that want to improve the optimization of their stock levels and ensure they can meet customer demand. With increased visibility on historical trends and customer behavior, businesses can make more informed decisions about what products to produce and how much to produce. This helps avoid situations when there is too much or too little stock, which can lead to lost sales or wasted inventory.

While demand planning can be complex, the benefits of doing it effectively can be significant. Businesses that can successfully implement demand forecasting can:

• Avoid lost sales
• Reduce inventory costs
• Improve customer satisfaction

What are the 4 Essential Elements of Demand Planning?

There are 4 essential elements of demand planning. These are:

1. Product Portfolio Management

In order to have successful demand planning, product portfolio management is essential. This entails managing and optimizing the mix of products and SKUs that a company offers to its customers. It also includes ensuring that the products are correctly positioned in the market and that the portfolio is aligned with the company’s overall strategy.

2. Market Analysis and Intelligence

An effective demand planner needs to have a good understanding of their target market, including customers’ needs and wants and their competitors’ offerings. This intelligence is essential in order to increase demand forecast accuracy.

3. Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP)

Sales and operations planning is a process that brings together all stakeholders in a company to align demand and supply. S&OP includes developing plans for both the short-term and long-term, as well as considering various scenarios and contingency plans.

4. Demand Planning Tools and Technologies

There are various software applications and tools available that can assist with demand planning. These can help automate tasks, generate reports, analyze data, and more.

Steps on How to Perform Demand Planning

Demand planning is a critical part of running a successful business. However, it can be a complex process. Below are the steps of how to perform demand planning.

Step 1: Organize and prepare data.

This step involves organizing data from various sources, such as sales data, market trends, and customer feedback. The data should be stored in a central location so that it can be easily accessed by the demand planning team.

Step 2: Forecast demand.

The next step is to forecast demand using statistical methods and algorithms. This forecast should take into account historical data, seasonality, and current trends.

Step 3: Identify risks and opportunities.

Once the demand forecast is completed, it’s important to identify any risks or opportunities that may impact the business. For example, a new competitor entering the market could affect sales figures. Demand planners can use a variety of tools for this process, such as SWOT analysis, risk assessment, and more.

Step 4: Develop plans to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities.

After identifying risks and opportunities, plans should be developed to mitigate these risks and take advantage of these opportunities. For example, if a new competitor is entering the market, a plan could be created to increase marketing efforts in order to maintain market share.

Step 5: Monitor results and course correct where necessary.

The final step is to monitor results and course corrections where necessary. This includes tracking actual sales figures against forecasted numbers before determining the next steps of your business strategy.

Best Practices

To have effective demand planning, most businesses follow some of the best practices:

• Build the right team for analyzing and planning customer demand.
• Define the planning process as specific and targeted as possible.
• Collect and manage data in a safe location.
• Communicate and collaborate with team members at all times.
• Measure success with realistic and quantifiable benchmarks.
• Use the right tool for the job.

Map Out Your Demand Planning Process with SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor)