--- title: To S&OP or not to S&OP - That is the question description: Is S&OP necessary? Sales forecast, planners. William Shakespeare & Hamlet asks the question. image: https://supplychain.enchange.com/hs-fs/file-15785490-jpg/blog_images/ghana_and_shakespeare-resized-600.jpg --- [Login](https://www.enchange.com/login/) - - - - [![Enchange](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hubfs/Enchange_October2019/Image/logo.png)](https://www.enchange.com/) # Route to Market & Supply Chain Blog # To S&OP or not to S&OP - That is the question Posted by Michael Thompson on Wed, Dec 22, 2010 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![S&OP process ](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hs-fs/file-15785490-jpg/blog_images/ghana_and_shakespeare-resized-600.jpg?width=103&height=123&name=ghana_and_shakespeare-resized-600.jpg)Our [mailbag](https://supplychain.enchange.com/bid/33409/Is-S-OP-Really-Necessary-Integrated-Supply-Chain-Planning) is expanding ... Sire To S&OP or not to S&OP: That is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer The claims and errors of outrageous sales forecasts Or to make plans against a sea of market uncertainties, And by opposing end them?  “To lie?” think the Sales Department because they (the Planners) produce the wrong product; “To sleep?” think the Planners; lets ignore the Sales Department because they always get it wrong; “No more” says the CEO, I’ve had enough ... Bard   Borrowed from [Hamlet 3/1 by William Shakespeare](http://www.artofeurope.com/shakespeare/sha8.htm) #### Let the debate continue ... check out the next instalment in a few days time   ## In this series: 1. [What has S&OP ever done for us?](https://supplychain.enchange.com/bid/33123/What-has-S-OP-ever-done-for-us) 2. [Is S&OP Really Necessary? Integrated Supply Chain Planning](https://supplychain.enchange.com/bid/33409/Is-S-OP-Really-Necessary-Integrated-Supply-Chain-Planning) 3. [The Role of Integrated Supply Chain Planning](https://supplychain.enchange.com/bid/33453/The-Role-of-Integrated-Supply-Chain-Planning) 4. [Is S&OP Really Necessary? Forecasting & Supply Chain Responsiveness](https://supplychain.enchange.com/bid/33656/Is-S-OP-Really-Necessary-Forecasting-Supply-Chain-Responsiveness) 5. [What has S&OP ever done for us? A great deal actually...](https://supplychain.enchange.com/bid/34100/What-has-S-OP-ever-done-for-us-A-great-deal-actually) 6. [What has S&OP ever done for us? The role of the CEO](https://supplychain.enchange.com/bid/34102/What-has-S-OP-ever-done-for-us-The-role-of-the-CEO)   Tags: [Michael Thompson](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/michael-thompson), [ERP/SAP](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/erp-sap), [S&OP](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/sop), [Forecasting & Demand Planning](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/forecasting-demand-planning), [Integrated Business Planning](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/integrated-business-planning) ### Subscribe Here! ## Implementation Guide - 20 Steps to RtM Excellence [![cta-20-steps-implementation-guide-1](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cta-20-steps-implementation-guide-1.png?width=336&name=cta-20-steps-implementation-guide-1.png)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/implementation-guide-to-20-steps-to-route-to-market-excellence) ## RtM Distributor Assessment Tool [![rtm-distributin-assessment-tool-enchange](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/rtm-distributin-assessment-tool-enchange.png?width=336&name=rtm-distributin-assessment-tool-enchange.png)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/analyse-the-performance-of-your-distributors---free-route-to-market-assessment-form) ## Distributor Assessment Guide [![distributor assessment guide-2](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hubfs/Enchange_October2019/Image/distributor%20assessment%20guide-2.webp)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/distributor-assessment-guide) ## 3rd Degree Partnership Guide [![3rd degree partnership download](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hubfs/Enchange_October2019/Image/3rd%20degree%20partnership%20download.webp)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/implementing-third-degree-partnerships-guide) ## Indirect Distribution: FMCG  Distributors vs. Wholesalers [![cta_ditributor-wholesale-download_sidebar](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cta_ditributor-wholesale-download_sidebar.png?width=336&name=cta_ditributor-wholesale-download_sidebar.png)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/indirect-distribution-fmcg-distributors-vs.-wholesalers) ## 8 Steps to Drive Distributor Excellence ![cta-8-steps-distributor-excellence](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cta-8-steps-distributor-excellence.png?width=336&name=cta-8-steps-distributor-excellence.png)   [![awrad](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hubfs/Enchange_October2019/Image/Supply-Chain-transparent_216px.png)](http://blog.feedspot.com/supply_chain_blogs/) ### Connect with Enchange Online ### Posts by Topics - 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