Table of Contents

Demand Planning - Key Business Questions

The questions below are grouped by the persona who typically asks them. Each question is answered either through a ready-made standard report or through an ad-hoc, self-service analysis you build yourself on the semantic model by combining the listed measures with the listed dimensions.

Demand Planner

Anticipate shortages and overstocks and keep replenishment parameters fit for current demand.

What is the expected future on-hand balance considering recorded demand and supply?

Answer with the report: Demand Outlook

  • Measures: Exp. OnHand Balance, Demand (-), Supply (+), OnHand Quantity

Which items are projected to fall below their reorder point or safety stock?

Answer with the report: Demand Outlook

  • Measures: RP (!), SS (!), Over- /Undersupply (cum.)

How stable and significant is the demand for each item?

Answer with the report: Item Classification (ABC/XYZ)

  • Measures: Hist. Demand, ∅ WD, Std.Dev. WD

What safety stock and reorder point should we set given demand and lead-time variability?

Answer with the report: Replenishment Optimization

  • Measures: Safety Stock [New], Reorder Point [New], ∅LT (d)

Supply Chain Manager

Balance service level against tied-up capital across items and locations.

Where do we have over- or undersupply over the coming periods?

Answer with the report: Demand Outlook

  • Measures: Over- /Undersupply (cum.), Over- /Undersupply Amount (cum.), Demand (-), Supply (+)

How is stock and its value distributed across our locations?

Answer with the report: By Location

  • Measures: OnHand Quantity, OnHand CostAmount Physical, Reach (Days)

Which items tie up the most capital by ABC/XYZ segment?

Answer with the report: Item Classification (ABC/XYZ)

  • Measures: OnHand CostAmount Physical, # SKUs

How fast is our inventory turning over and how many days of reach do we hold?

Answer with the report: Overview

  • Measures: Turnover Rate (per Yr), Reach (Days), OnHand Quantity

Purchasing Manager

Secure timely supply and validate lead times and replenishment settings with suppliers.

What are our statistical lead times and delivery gaps versus the promised date?

Answer with the report: Item Analysis

  • Measures: ∅LT (d), ∅ Delivery gap (D)

Which replenishment parameters (reorder point, safety stock, lot size) are set per SKU?

Answer with the report: Master Data

  • Measures: Reorder Point, Safety stock quantity, OnHand Quantity

How much open supply is expected and when will it arrive relative to demand?

Answer with the report: Demand Outlook

  • Measures: Supply (+), Exp. OnHand Balance, Reorder Point

How do proposed parameters deviate from what is currently maintained in BC?

Answer with the report: Replenishment Optimization

  • Measures: Safety Stock [New], Reorder Point [New], Safety stock quantity

Inventory / Operations Manager

Keep stock healthy - avoid slow movers and stockouts while validating movements.

How are on-hand quantities and inventory value developing over time?

Answer with the report: Overview

  • Measures: OnHand Quantity, OnHand CostAmount Physical, OnHand CostPrice

Which items are slow movers with excessive reach?

Answer with the report: By Item

  • Measures: Reach (Days), Turnover Rate (per Yr), OnHand Quantity

Can I validate the item ledger entries and movements behind a stock level?

Answer with the report: Item Analysis

  • Measures: Quantity, OnHand Quantity per ItemLocation, CostAmount Physical

How do inbound receipts compare with outbound issues per month?

Answer with the report: Overview

  • Measures: Quantity Receipt, Quantity Issue, Quantity

Controller / CFO

Optimize working capital tied up in inventory without risking service levels.

Where can we reduce safety stock without compromising the target service level?

Answer with the report: Replenishment Optimization

  • Measures: Safety Stock [New], Safety stock quantity, Std.Dev. WD

How much capital sits in A/B/C and X/Y/Z segments?

Answer with the report: Item Classification (ABC/XYZ)

  • Measures: OnHand CostAmount Physical, # SKUs

How is the total value of our inventory developing and being adjusted?

Answer with the report: Overview

  • Measures: OnHand CostAmount Physical, CostAmount Adjustment, OnHand CostPrice

How does inventory value split across companies and locations?

Answer ad-hoc (self-service): build this on the semantic model yourself.

  • Measures: OnHand CostAmount Physical, OnHand Quantity
  • Break down by: Client, InventLocation
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