Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) is an essential process to assist a leadership team to improve revenue and profit.  S&OP links the company’s strategy with responsive plans that can be executed minimizing unpredictable outcomes

Sales and Operations Planning is a collaborative process that balances customer demand and new product plans with operating resources providing a rolling month-by-month projection of predicted financial results.   Uncertainty in business performance is reduced when all functions are aligned and executing with the same plan.

Sales and Operations Planning provides leadership with 12 to 24 months of forward visibility to support decision-making with less risk.   Teamwork, making commitments and accountability result from this essential process.   In addition, critical performance measures are enabled to monitor planned vs. actual performance.

Sales and Operations Planning is an integrated process (now commonly labeled “Integrated Business Planning”) that uncovers what must be resolved to consistently achieve predictable performance. S&OP provides leadership with a true “handle” on the business.

The following articles may be of help to you.

• “How Do You Know If Your Sales and Operations Planning is Effective?" (No registration required)  

• “How Well Does Your Company Manage Its Sales and Operations Planning?” (No registration required)  

• “Is Your SOP Process Effective?" (No registration required)
• "Demand Planning" - Chapter 8 from our book Lean Supply Chain Management.  (Registration Required)