The full benefits of SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning), also known as S&OP, blossom when it’s treated like an organization-wide strategic initiative instead of a narrower supply chain project.

Although the supply chain and operations resources typically coordinate the SIOP process as their skills align best with the majority of the processes, the reason for its success is that it is an organizational priority. The two areas of sales, inventory and operations planning focus include:

  • Aligning demand with supply
  • Aligning the functions related to or impacted by demand and supply on the same page

Thus, the reason it cannot be successful as a supply chain resource project should be apparent. The participants include the following:

  • Resources related to demand – sales, marketing, customer service, R&D, new product development, customers, etc.
  • Resources related to supply – manufacturing operations, outside processing production processes, planning, procurement, logistics, quality, suppliers, etc.
  • Resources impacted by demand and supply – those interested in profit, cash flow, inventory levels, customer service, etc., such as Finance, executives, Boards, etc.

Who else is there? I cannot think of any! Now, imagine the challenge in aligning them on the same page with one plan – the “secret sauce” to SIOP success. If you are interested in learning more about partnering with us to use our proven method (4 EXCEL) for driving results, contact us. To learn more about how to implement SIOP, read our book, SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning): Creating Predictable Revenue and EBITDA Growth.