Can you ask the right questions to improve supply chain planning?

a) What is the Item/material Class, where are the suppliers located?

b) What is the leadtime, MoQ, Min Stock level that is to be maintained?

c) Depending on the past Forecasting (History). Can we predict the future?

Asking the right questions does help improve supply chain planning, but acting upon the feedback is vital. Knowing what the right question to ask is more important. For example,

1. Asking how much should we produce Vs. how much is on demand (push Vs Pull)?

2. How much do we have in stock Vs how many can we make on time?

3. How robust are we incase of a sudden influx of demand Vs how many can we make just -in-case? - Agility Vs Mass production.

Forecasting give rise to so many errors, and can be replaced by proper planning ie. Demand management Vs forecasting.

• What are the correct costs of operations given the right application of technology?
• What are the real costs of transportation given the correct transportation solutions?
• What are the right levels of inventory and locations of inventory given the correct inventory strategies?
• What are the real costs of the required real estate in any given location, and not just the costs of “average” space?
• What are the incentives available by locating in certain areas?
• What are the correct energy costs for the various locations being considered?
• What are the tax implications of being located at the various places being considered?
• What are the cost impacts (fuel charges, etc.) or volume fluctuations (M&A or growth) on the plan for the network?
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In general, I agree with all answers provided by my peers.As we can see that Supply Chain is a vast field and is entitled to numerous possibilities of improvement.

Hence,several queries can be raised related to SC Planning.

I would like to list the following minimum points pertaining to Supply Chain Planning

1.Is there stock in warehouse? (As controlling the inventory in any industry is generally a challenge)

2.Do you've any open PO's for incoming deliveries of the requested item? (This could potentially resolve urgent demands without raising new orders)

3.How can we set the reorder point for an item? (New item & moving item)

(It can generally vary from case to case.A discussion with the end user would prove to be beneficial at least for a new item to be ordered)

4.Are the inventory figures shown in your system accurate? (Can be very vital as several companies generally have incorrect figures of inventory in system.Should it be observed as an incorrect figure,an immediate recheck of physical inventory to be made prior to correcting the figure(s) in the system and setting the relevant re order point)

Simply few heads.

1.Forecast accuracy,though it is subject to error by default(forecast!)

2.ontime Supply stability or capacity commitment

3. Reliable distribution network

4. Demand stability which always in the hands and in tune with marketing dynamics.

5. Moreover strategic plans of company for many years ahead