What has S&OP ever done for us? A great deal actually ...

Is S&OP really necesarry? From Monty Python to S&OP via integrated supply chain planning to forecasting and related issues, and a conclusion shared by our two protagonists that S&OP is not really necessary, we received the following in our mailbag ...

Dear Mike,

I have been following your blog series “What has S&OP ever done for us” and the debate between your CEO Reginald and Head of Supply Chain Development, Jacek.

How can this be a debate when both parties share the same view, albeit for entirely different reasons? Furthermore I suspect that Reginald & Jacek do not share a common view of what S&OP actually is.

I am a CEO who has implemented S&OP in several of the companies in which I have led. S&OP works. And it works well if, and only if, the boss drives it and is seen to drive it. So to answer the question you have posed – What has S&OP ever done for us? A great deal for the companies I have run.

I accept some of the technical arguments that Jacek is using. However, he also describes ‘supply chain life’ somewhat from an idealistic point of view.

I am afraid that your blogs are in danger of dismissing S&OP as aged and irrelevant. It is not.

I wonder if you would allow me to share my views and join your debate.

Yours sincerely

Anne

CEO (Brewing Multinational, name withheld by request)

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Dear Anne

Many thanks for your letter.

I agree with you. Although Jacek makes a strong case, my experience of 100’s of S&OP implementations is that S&OP can have a dramatic impact on supply chain and overall company operations.

You are most welcomed to join our next debate in the series.

Yours sincerely

Mike (Moderator)