For inquiries and assignment help
Email: smartwritingcompany@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +254704997747
,TRL3707
EXAM PACK
Revision PACK
Questions. Answers
,Question Bank from Self-Assessments, Exams & Learning Outcomes
[2015-S2-EXAM SCOPE: SHORTER QUESTIONS – STUDY TB, READ SG]
STUDY UNIT 1, PAGE 2
Additional
1) Define Forecasting Ref. Par. 1.2; [Was not taken from Bowersox 2013:133-134 as indicated by the scope]
Forecasting entails predicting the demand for each type of product (stock keeping unit or SKU) during a
particular period or at a specific place. Specific definition of what is projected to be sold, when & where.
Identifies requirements for which SC must schedule inventory & operational resources.
SAQ
2) Briefly explain main difference between dependent & independent demandRef. Par. 1.2
Independent demand is when demand for an item is not related to/dependent on the demand for any other
item. It cannot be calculated, only estimated by means of a forecast. E.g. finished goods & maintenance spares.
Dependent demand describes items whose demand is related to the demand for other items. Can be calculated
i.e. no need to forecast demand E.g. subassemblies, raw & packaging materials.
3) [PEx2] LO Name three reasons why logistics forecasts are necessary ()Ref. TB 2013:134 [Forecasting Requirements]
To Support Collaborative Planning
- A collaborative forecast jointly agreed to by supply chain partners provides a common goal that can be the
basis for developing effective operating plans.
- prevents never-ending cycle of inventory excesses/shortage that happens when independently forecasted;
To Drive Requirements Planning (a.k.a sales & operations planning)
- determines inventory projections & resulting replenishment/production requirements for planning horizon
- Integrates forecasts , open orders, available inventory & production plans into a definition of periodic
inventory availability and requirements;
- Ideally operates collaboratively & interactively both internally across the firms operations & externally with
supply chain partners to develop a common and consistent plan for each time period, location & item.
To Improve Resource Management
- Use completed plan to manage critical supp. chain processes e.g. production, inventory & transportation;
- Accurate forecast & consistent definition of SC resources & constraints → Enables timely identification and
effective evaluation of trade-offs → better match requirements to resources & better resources utilisation.
LO SAQ
4) Distinguish between centralised & decentralised approach to demand forecastingRef. Par. 1.2 p4
Approach followed depends on uncertainty of demand in individual distribution centres.
Top-down (centralised): when demand is fairly stable / changes in demand appear to be uniform at all centres.
Bottom-up (decentralised): when demand in individual markets fluctuates / changes in demand in individual
markets differ.
SAQ
5) Write a formula for a basic forecast model containing all components & explain the symbolsRef. Bowersox 2013:135
Forecast Ft = forecast quantity for period t
Model: Bt = base level demand for period t
(Bt x St x T x Ct x Pt) + I St = seasonality factor for period t
= Ft T = trend component index (↑ or ↓ per time period
Ct = cyclical factor for period t
Pt = promotional factor for period t
I = irregular / random quantity
, 6) [PEx3] SAQ Explain the components of a basic forecast model (6 or 12)Ref. Par. 1.2; Bowersox (2013:136-137)
• = long-term average demand
Base Demand •Represents long term average demand after removing remaining components
•Forecast for items having no seasonality, trend, cyclic or promotional components
•Annually recurring upward & downward movement in demand
•e.g. annual toy demand : low demand ¾ year with increased demand just before Xmas =
Seasonal
consumer retail seasonality
•wholesale seasonality precedes consumer demand by ± ¼ of a year
• = long-range shift in periodic sales caused by change in population or consumption patterns
•May be positive, negative or neutral in direction.
•Positive = sales ↑ over time
•Trend component influences base demand in the successive time periods.
Trends Relationship: Bt+1 = Bt x T with
Bt+1 = base demand in period t + 1;
Bt = base demand in period t;
T = periodic trend index
•If T > 1 periodic demand is ↑. If T < 1 ↓ trend
•Characterized by periodic shifts in demand lasting more than a year
Cyclic
•Cycles may be upward or downward e.g. business cycle (economic swings recession to growth)
•Demand swings initiated by a firm’s marketing activities e.g. ads, deals, promotions
Promotional •Sales increase, followed by sales decline
•Differ in that timing & magnitude are largely controlled by firm. Can be regular
•Random/unpredictable quantities that do not fit with other categories
Irregular •Random Nature = impossible to predict
•Minimise magnitude of random component by tracking & predicting other components
7) [PEx1] LO SAQ Explain the forecast process with the aid of a suitable sketch (5)Ref. Par. 1.3 & Bowersox (2013:137-139)
Selecting a Forecast Technique
Mathematical/statistical computation used to combine base, seasonal & cyclical components with elements of
promotion history into a forecast quantity. Techniques include:
- Time series modelling: sales history is a major factor
- Correlation modelling: relationships with other independent variables are the major forecast drivers.
Providing a Forecast Support System
- Includes supply chain [SC] intelligence to gather & analyse data, develop forecast and communicate it to
relevant personnel & planning systems.
- Allows consideration of external factors such as the impact of promotions, strikes, price changes.
- N.B that effective forecasting process includes a support system to facilitate maintenance, updates &
manipulation of the historical database & forecast.
Administration of the total Forecast Process
- Includes organisational, procedural, motivational & personnel aspects of forecasting and its integration int
other firm functions.
- Organisational aspect concerns individual roles & responsibilities.
- N.B. to specify these roles & responsibilities in detail when defining forecast administration function.
- If integrated forecast is desirable: specifically define each organisation's forecasting responsibility & hold it
accountable with specific metrics.
- Effective forecast administration requires:
o organizational responsibility & procedural guidelines are documented & measured;
o forecast analysts be trained in both process & input of forecasts on SC logistics operations.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller AnnaWilliams. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $3.38. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.