Daniel Fitzpatrick

Building Colleagues’ Trust in the Demand Planning Role

Daniel FitzpatrickAugust 31, 2022

You came to the meeting well prepared. You had all your data well organized, your charts were all updated and you had copies for everyone. The meeting began well, and you offered your insights and recommendations to the team. Everyone listened, b... Read More...

Competencies/SkillsPeople1 Comment 0

No, AI Isn’t Coming For Your Demand Planning Job

Daniel FitzpatrickJanuary 4, 2022

The integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning into the S&OP process allows companies to become more agile in response to changes in demand. Data sources that previously were hard to analyze due to complexity or sheer volume ... Read More...

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Building An Environment Where Demand Planners Can Succeed

Daniel FitzpatrickMarch 4, 2021

Effective demand planning requires good processes, agile systems, and talented people. Getting these all to work together requires a culture that rewards performance with opportunities for career growth as was as financial benefits. All too of... Read More...

PeopleTalent Management0 Comments 0

Beware The Pitfalls Of AI In Demand Planning

Daniel FitzpatrickFebruary 16, 2021

As we integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into our demand planning processes, I am sure that we will see improvement in our ability to anticipate demand rather than react to it. However, accurate forecasting is only o... Read More...

Advanced Analytics1 Comment 0

eCommerce planning requires a shift in both methodology and mindset.

Demand Planning for the e-Commerce Channel

Daniel FitzpatrickJune 15, 2020

The biggest shift for me in dealing with the e-Commerce channel was a mindset. I had approached planning for this channel with the same tools and perspective that had worked for me in planning for retail and distribution customers. These were not eff... Read More...

Models & MethodsOmnichannel1 Comment 0

Image of circuit board with big data text

Big Data & Advanced Analytics Will Not Save Your Company

Daniel FitzpatrickMay 26, 2020

I’ve got bad news for you . . . Well, perhaps not bad news but certainly news that is important. All that data you have been collecting? Most of it is probably junk. Those advanced analytical tools? Worthless. Pretty bold statements, right? ... Read More...

Advanced AnalyticsAnalytics1 Comment 0

Do Forecasts Have To Be Right To Be Valuable?

Daniel FitzpatrickJune 12, 2019

"I hate this part of my job -there's no way to be right." I'd had the same thought many times. I was talking to a fellow demand planner, who was under pressure to provide more accurate forecasts. It was a no-win situation. "So stop trying to be... Read More...

AnalyticsModels & Methods3 Comments 1

Why Your Demand Planning Sucks & What To Do About It

Daniel FitzpatrickFebruary 4, 2019

So you set up an S&OP process and started doing demand planning. But your forecast accuracy isn't improving and your service levels are still low. You invested in a planning system and hired talented and experienced planners. You have a g... Read More...

ProcessS&OP/IBP0 Comments 1

Give Sales What They Need If You Want Their Insight

Daniel FitzpatrickApril 27, 2018

Salespeople are key players in an effective demand planning process. They can provide timely input on their customer's plans and issues from the front line. They hear the voice of the customer first. However, gaining their confidence is challenging, ... Read More...

Collaboration0 Comments 1

The 5 Things Demand Planners Need From Management

Daniel FitzpatrickApril 13, 2018

Effective Demand Planning provides enormous benefits to the S&OP process by converting inputs from the Finance, Sales and Marketing, and Supply functions into a robust forecast. The role of the Demand Planner requires a wide range of skills, from... Read More...

Competencies/SkillsTalent Management0 Comments 0