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Demand Planning Software Can Help You Track Down KPIs 

What is one thing that you need while navigating on the unknown roads of suburbs? A MAP or a GPS to lead you to your destination. Similarly, KPIs are the guide for your Demand Planning. The better the KPIs, the more accurate your demand planning will be. Apart from using advanced Demand Planning Software, these KPIs can work wonders for you.  

KPIs are more like modern-day GPS apps, which give you accurate destination distance, the time it will take you to reach there, any traffic in between, and so on. KPIs work the same way for demand planning, it guides you through the market dynamics, and each box ticked is like reaching a small milestone. Now you know the significance of KPIs, read on to learn what these KPIs are  

A little more about Demand Planning KPIs  

There is a great saying "we can only improve if we can measure." Likewise, your demand planning and forecasting can only improve if you measure them. These KPIs do the same thing. It sends alerts to demand planners about the status of some critical metrics. Also, because it is data-based and real-time, it allows planners to respond with utmost conviction to keep demand forecasting on track.  

Vital Demand Planning KPIs  

Accuracy of the forecast  

The demand forecast is the primary operation. It is where the whole process begins; hence it becomes critical to have the utmost accuracy. Putting this in your KPIs means you are comparing your forecast with the actual performance, which increases the chance of better performance. The better your predictions, the greater the probability of improved profitability.

2. Mean Forecasting Error or Bias  

The tendency of forecasting error persisting in one direction is called Bias. The earlier you track down Bias, the finer it is for your forecast. Once you identify the error, tweak your forecast by eliminating the Bias and improving the effectiveness and accuracy of the estimates. Bias is considered an effective way of checking whether or not your forecast is working in the manner you want it to.  

3. Tracking Signals  

If there is a sudden change in demand, tracking signals can identify them and help planners react accordingly. Also known as TS, it assists demand planners in determining when an error in the forecast is distributed.  

4. Forecasted Sales vs. Actual Sales  

The most important KPI that tells how your forecast has performed over time. Most businesses use this as a metric to determine the accuracy of their projections. Besides describing the performance of your prediction, it also tells what could have been better so that you can work on rectifying it. It also enhances decision-making and supports planners in making the right decision when an error occurs.  

A vast mathematical calculation is behind all these KPIs. These equations can be used to generate forecasts. However, demand forecasting should not be the only point to measure forecasting. Avercast demand management software allows you to collaborate with all key stakeholders and make efficient decisions that benefit the company's productivity and profitability.  

These KPIs are just a few of many more, and every business has a separate set of KPIs that enables growth. A manufacturing business can have different KPIs than a retail business; likewise, there are many examples. The purpose of this blog is to highlight not relying just on forecasting accuracy to identify your demand planning performance.