Too many companies don’t implement S&OP when it’s needed most, and many aren’t seeing the benefits they should.
Watch the video to learn why S&OP is failing to deliver in these cases.
If your S&OP process isn’t giving you the results you want, the issue could lie in how you’re running your meetings. A common mistake is holding too many meetings that end up being long discussions with little to no decisions made. This not only wastes time but also reduces the effectiveness of the S&OP process. It’s time to rethink how you approach your meetings to get the real results you’re after.
From Talk to Action
One of the biggest reasons S&OP processes fail is because the meetings focus on discussion instead of decision-making. When meetings stretch for hours with no clear decisions, it’s a sign the process isn’t working. To fix this, shift your focus from discussions to decisions. This means coming prepared. Everyone in the meeting should have the data, insights, and recommendations ready so that discussions can quickly turn into informed decisions.
S&OP meetings should be sharp and focused, not drawn-out conversations. Senior leadership needs to look at the data, understand the issues, and make decisions without getting bogged down in endless debates. The key is clear preparation and structure.
Clarity for Senior Leaders
S&OP is meant to help senior leadership—MDs, CEOs, and other key decision-makers—make fast, strategic decisions. For this to happen, the information presented must be clear, concise, and easy to act on. Leaders don’t need to be involved in every detail, but they need a solid understanding of the situation and why certain recommendations are being made.
A successful S&OP process ensures executives get the necessary information to make decisions quickly and confidently. The data should be aligned with company strategy, backed by analysis, and presented in a way that makes it easy to act on.
Why Focused Meetings Matter
When meetings are focused on decision-making, your whole S&OP process runs more smoothly. They improve business alignment, speed up decisions, and ensure everyone is working toward the same goal. With clear, decision-focused meetings, S&OP becomes a powerful tool to drive performance, improve forecasting, and streamline operations. It’s time to turn those long discussions into actions that lead to results.
Related articles on this topic have appeared throughout our website, check them out:
Give Your Operations A Productivity Boost – Increase Your Bottom Line Profit
- Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) – The Greatest Success Factor
- S&OP 12 Key Success Factors
Editor’s Note: The content of this post was originally published on Logistics Bureau’s website dated February 08, 2023, under the title “S&OP: Why It Fails“.
