Design S and OP that works

Who this is for

Founder led lower-middle market companies with 5 to 50 million in annual revenue that need a steady planning rhythm.

The quick answer

Run a monthly cycle. Start with a product review to confirm changes. Hold a demand review to lock the forecast by item class and region. Hold a supply review to check capacity, labour, and materials. Use a pre S and OP to settle options and an executive S and OP to set one plan and one set of numbers. Keep a one page pack, a risk list, and clear decisions with owners and dates.

The method in six steps

Product review
Confirm launches, retirements, and changes that affect demand or supply.
Demand review
Lock the forecast by class and region. Capture key assumptions and promotions.
Supply review
Check capacity, labour, suppliers, and constraints. Propose scenarios to meet the demand plan.
Pre S and OP
Operations and commercial leaders agree on a recommendation and trade offs. Final options are documented.
Executive S and OP
Leaders choose one plan and one set of numbers. They confirm owners, dates, and risks that need action.
Follow through
Publish the one page pack and the risk list. Track service, inventory, capacity, and cash outcomes until the next cycle.

Example

After adopting a monthly rhythm with a one page pack, a light manufacturer reduced last minute expedites and improved forecast accuracy in two quarters.

Pitfalls and fixes

Many versions of the truth. The executive meeting sets one plan.
Long decks. Keep to a one page pack with a backup file for detail.
No follow up. Assign owners and dates for every decision.

Checklist

Monthly calendar with five meetings
One page pack and a risk list
Forecast locked by class and region
Capacity and supply plan agreed
Decisions with owners and dates