15 articles
What Is S&OP? Definition and 5-Step Cycle
S&OP (sales and operations planning) aligns demand with business capacity. Definition, the 5-step cycle, and why it matters for an SME.
Read the articleAggregate planning: the tactical production plan
Aggregate planning is the tactical level of planning, between S&OP and the master schedule. Definition, role, and why it matters for an SME.
Read the articleSupply chain KPIs: building your dashboard
Which supply chain KPIs should an SME track? The 5 to 7 essential metrics, from OTIF to turnover and cost-to-serve, and how to build your dashboard.
Read the articleDemand Forecasting: Methods for SMEs
Demand forecasting methods explained for an SME: qualitative and quantitative approaches, choosing the right method, and the mistake to avoid.
Read the articleMRP: the net requirements calculation explained
MRP and the net requirements calculation: from gross to net requirements using on-hand stock and scheduled receipts. Method, role, and common mistake.
Read the articleSafety Stock: How to Calculate It in an SME
What safety stock is for and how to calculate it: the factors that drive it, the logic of the calculation, and the most common mistake in an SME.
Read the articleReorder point and economic order quantity (EOQ)
The reorder point tells you when to replenish; the economic order quantity (EOQ) tells you how much to order. Logic, method, and the mistake to avoid.
Read the articleInventory turnover: how to calculate and read it
Inventory turnover measures how many times stock is renewed over a period. How to calculate it, how to interpret it, and the mistake to avoid in an SME.
Read the articleDual Sourcing: A Strategy to Secure Supply
Dual sourcing secures procurement by relying on two suppliers. Principle, advantages, when to adopt it in an SME, and the mistake to avoid.
Read the articleOnboarding Process: A Simple Model for SMEs
A documented onboarding process model for integrating new employees at an SME: key steps, practical application, and the mistake to avoid.
Read the articleProcess Improvement: A BPM Method for SMEs
A simplified process improvement (BPM) method for SMEs: identify, map, analyze, redesign, and monitor. Steps and the mistake to avoid.
Read the articleSupply Chain Consultant: When and Why to Hire One
When does it make sense for an SME to bring in a supply chain consultant? The warning signs, what a consultant actually delivers, and the mistake to avoid.
Read the articleIn-House Supply Chain Training: Who It's For, How It Works
In-house supply chain training builds your teams' skills on your own processes. Who it's for and how it works.
Read the articleOTIF (On Time In Full): Definition and How to Manage It
OTIF (On Time In Full): definition of this service-level metric, how to measure and manage it in an SME, and the most common misinterpretation.
Read the articleCost-to-Serve: Definition and Analysis for SMEs
Cost-to-serve measures what it actually costs to serve a customer or a product. Definition, analysis method, and the mistake to avoid.
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