Demand Planning is a crucial function of any organization, and Demand Planners need to constantly stay vigilant of the actual Sales and product movement and velocity across the Distribution Chain. To stay ahead of the curve, effective demand planners must track the right metrics that can help curtail possible demand planning issues ahead of time. Here’s a list of 10 common demand planning metrics.
Top 10 Demand Planning Metrics Your Dashboard Should Have
1. Early Warning Indicators for Demand Variation
Demand variation in the tune of +/- 15% at an SKU and Product Category level, need to be monitored and reported on a weekly basis to concerned stakeholders. Factors driving the Demand variation need to be analyzed and discussed to align the Supply Chain to mitigate stock-out or over-stocking scenarios.
2. Pareto Analysis of Customer Demand
As per Pareto’s principle, 20% of the factors contribute to 80% of the effects. Similarly,
Read More: Why is Demand Forecasting important for effective Supply Chain Management?
3. Forecasted vs. Actual Sales
Regular reporting of Forecasted vs. Actual Sales to key stakeholders at a weekly, MTD, quarterly and YTD levels help the entire team to stay focused on the targets and actual performance. These reports enable
4. Monthly Product Category Forecast Error
Monthly tracking of the Product Category level Forecast Error facilitates the Demand Planners to have actionable discussions with Sales & Marketing teams. Identifying key drivers leading to the Forecast Errors and the fine-tuning and adjustments to the Demand Planning and Marketing activities.
Tip: Organizations should strive to limit this Forecast Error to +/- 10%.
5. Weekly Item Location Forecast Error
Weekly tracking of the Item Location level Forecast Error facilitates the Demand Planners to analyze the POS data and Regional Distribution data. This is one of the key metrics that can drive major improvement and cost savings initiatives. Regional Sales team members can be provided feedback to refine their Forecast inputs, which in turn reduces the errors when rolled up to the overall Demand Plan.
Tip: Organizations should strive to limit this Forecast Error to +/- 30%.
Read More: Using Demand Planning Statistical Models to Enhance Your Sales Forecasts
6. Long-term Capacity Requirement Forecasting Accuracy
Demand Planners play a pivotal role in providing long-range Forecasts for Budgeting, Financial Planning, Manufacturing CapEx, Contract Manufacturing, Warehousing, Distribution, and 3PL.
Tip: Demand Planners should target to provide a reasonable Forecast within +/- 5% accuracy.
7. Actual Sales Conversions vs. Sales Assumptions
Marketing teams carry out Merchandise activities throughout the year. The Sales assumptions and projections need to be documented by the Demand Planners and the actual Sales conversion need to be tracked and reported for analyzing the effectiveness of Merchandise activities. This is
8. Pre-booking Orders for New Products
New products launches are a very exciting but challenging phase. Production and Sales volume need to be forecasted and closely monitored at a weekly level. Buzz created by advance and pre-booking orders
Read More: How to Build a Collaborative Global Demand Planning Process
9. Phase-out Products
Similar to new products
10. Market Intelligence of Competitor activities
Demand Planners need to keep a close watch on Competitor moves and the external business environment which can affect the Sales of an organization.
Key Market Intelligence Metrics for Competitor activities:
- Competitor New Product Launch Performance
- Competitor Sustained Stock-out
- Competitor Quality Problems or Product Recalls
