Bridging the Gap Between Planning and Execution: The Role of Granular ERP Data in S&OP Maturity

Most organizations invest heavily in S&OP processes, yet a critical disconnect persists between planning intent and operational execution. In this article, I discuss how this gap stems not from planning methodology, but from the failure to leverage the granular transactional data residing in ERP systems. I present a practitioner’s framework for using ERP data granularity to bridge this divide. I discuss specific techniques for extracting actionable insights from transactional data, establishing the right level of granularity for different planning horizons, and building feedback loops that transform S&OP from a monthly ritual into a dynamic operational ...