We’re Stuck with Old Supply Chain Models

In her post, Driving Value from Supply Chain Planning, Lora Cecere provides great supply chain analysis and benchmarking for her supply chain to admire. The supply chain operating model adjustments and metrics she is suggesting however, are not based on new thinking: 👉 Outside in thinking: in strategy over 50 years old 👉 Outside in demand segmented supply chains: over 20 years old 👉 Business … Continue reading We’re Stuck with Old Supply Chain Models

Key Elements of Decision Centricity in Effective IBP Processes

IBP and its predecessor S&OP were developed as executive decision-making forums. In support of effective decision making in the IBP process, we could expect many decision centric capabilities in an organization. But how decision centric is your S&OP/IBP process, your meetings, your organization? Any idea? To create some baseline insights, I developed an 11-question checklist to assess IBP decision centricity. Based on this checklist I … Continue reading Key Elements of Decision Centricity in Effective IBP Processes

Digital Transformation has become Bullsh*t! Let’s talk Human-AI Transformation

As I was reading Ethan Mollick’s book, Co-Intelligence on Sunday morning, I indulged myself in some GenAI vanity and asked my IBPGPT; “Write me a 800 word blog about the evolution of IBP using Niels van Hove’s vision, but don’t use his name“ Besides some fluff and jargon around the edges and a surprising focus on scenario planning I didn’t know I had, it gave … Continue reading Digital Transformation has become Bullsh*t! Let’s talk Human-AI Transformation

The State of Decision Centricity in IBP

Recently, I published below Decision-Centric S&OP infographic in collaboration with Marcia Williams. We had a lot of positive responses. A focus on decision making is not new. In the end, S&OP was created as an executive decision making forum. But I think we certainly can get more value out of understanding and framing our decisions better, orchestrating the decision making process, minimising bias, capturing decisions … Continue reading The State of Decision Centricity in IBP

Outside-in planning: a big elephant that needs a bite-sized approach

“There is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.” Desmond Tutu Outside-in thinking in theory Outside-in thinking makes sense. It has been suggested to include a market, customer, and competitor view in a strategy definition for more than 50 years. It is not new in strategy. It is not new in supply chain management either.  Lee’s uncertainty framework (2002) shows … Continue reading Outside-in planning: a big elephant that needs a bite-sized approach

Think Decision first, Data and AI later

“Companies with flaky master data would be wise to cleaning that up first before embarking on DI.”, a comment on my last blog about Decision Intelligence said. I surely agree, data is absolutely important when implementing technology. It already was when I was implementing ERP and APS systems 20+ years ago. And it still is. Garbage in is still garbage out indeed.   Maybe more … Continue reading Think Decision first, Data and AI later

AI Is Here to Automate the Knowledge Worker!

This article is my commentary on an article published in Foresight, written by the authors of the book Humachine: Humankind, Machines, and the Future of Enterprise (Sanders & Wood, 2020). For the original Foresight article and other commentary, you can go here. INTRODUCTION: A NEW ERA The authors of The Humachine make a valid point that enterprises should not focus on artificial intelligence (AI) alone … Continue reading AI Is Here to Automate the Knowledge Worker!

Three common weaknesses in supply chain

In a recent Forbes article, three common supply chain weaknesses are highlighted: Being reactive rather than pro-active Lack of visibility Lack of accountability The behavioural weaknesses – lack of pro-activity and accountability should be no surprise to me or the readers of my blog. As the S&OP mindset study I conducted with Supply Chain Movement in 2017/2018 show similar results. We made an S&OP mindset … Continue reading Three common weaknesses in supply chain

Artificial Intelligence – beyond the hype, the experts, its weak spots and losing your job

In our household we love our Google Home. My girls use it continuously to play music, ask silly questions, jokes, do calculations and spell difficult words amongst other things. I use it to voice command my shopping list, set a timer and book meetings in my agenda. Speeking to and interacting with a little machine in my living room, that has the capacity to both … Continue reading Artificial Intelligence – beyond the hype, the experts, its weak spots and losing your job

A Short Guide to Behavioural Coaching in Support of World Class S&OP

To be most effective, S&OP requires a positive, growth-oriented, mentally tough mindset as well as constructive behaviours. It is unlikely that a critical mass of effective behaviours is present in every company that implements S&OP. On top of this, S&OP practitioners indicate that behaviours are not addressed enough in S&OP implementations. There are different behavioural change requirements during S&OP maturity stages. This article suggests three … Continue reading A Short Guide to Behavioural Coaching in Support of World Class S&OP