More About Planning - Execution Synchronization

This column expands on my Spring 2016 JBF column, titled “Execution Needs the S&OP Plans,” which discussed the need to synchronize planning and execution. Operational plans should align with the S&OP plans in order to achieve the operational performance goals that drive these tactically based plans. However, while the plans might be 100% aligned, this column discusses common executional practices and supporting computer systems that might need to be modified to ensure that actual execution achieves the performance goals that drove the plans, to the greatest extent possible.